Military Culture: Enhancing Clinical Competence

Description:

This training module is for civilian mental health providers who want to develop a better understanding about how the military works and who comprises the armed forces. It provides an overview of military culture to include basics about its history, organizational structure, core values, branches of the service, mission and operations, as well as the differences between the active and reserve components.  Participants acquire greater competency in working with Service members by learning military culture and terminology, and by discussing how aspects of the military culture impact behaviors and perspectives.

Learning Objectives:

  1. Recognize the structure and major components of the United States military.
  2. Identify common characteristics of the military population and how they compare to the general population.
  3. Discuss the importance of a distinct culture to the military.
  4. Describe elements of the military experience and lifestyle that are integral to military culture.

Outline:

1. Introduction & Learning Objectives
2. United States Military – Seven federally established Uniformed Services of the United States
          a. Noncombatant uniformed services
              i. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)
              ii. Department of Commerce (DOC)  
          b. Armed forces
              i. Department of Defense (DOD)
              ii. Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
          c. The Reserves
          d. National Guard
3. Armed Forces
   a. Chain of command
   b. Areas of responsibility
4. Military Culture
    a. Chain of command
    b. Military Personnel
    c. Rank structure
        i. Officers
        ii. Enlisted
        iii. Roles and responsibilities for officers and enlisted
    d. Separate organizational structure for each branch
    e. Ordered and disciplined social environment
        i. Uniforms, rituals, ceremonies, and celebrations
        ii. Beliefs, values, and attitudes
    f. Rules, taboos, and ethical codes
5. Demographics
6. Reasons for Joining
7. National Guard and Reserves vs. Active Duty
8. Women in the Military
9. LGB in the Military 
10. Military Language (common terminology)

Duration: 90-150 minutes (with 10 minute break)

Notes:

*Continuing education credits are available for this course. Fees may apply.