Understanding Military Culture

Understanding Military Culture
Name:
Institution:
Part I: Interview
Can you please identify your affiliation: branch, rank, and job?
I began serving in the military as a reserve component. I have worked in the military for the last 11 years based in the Georgia’s National Guard branch. My rank before being separated was W-3 under the warrant ranks and was assigned to the explosives team. My job involves manufacture and operating the explosive related weapon.
Can you please summarize your permanent change of station (PCS) and deployment experience?
I have had no permanent change of station (PCS). My deployment experience was challenging. It involved protecting my buddy, keeping my weapon ready and following orders. The orders were easy to understand unlike outside here where rules are too many to understand.
Why did you join the military?
Because of passion of being an army and the love of my country. When I was a young boy in my neighbour, there used to be one guy who used to be in the army. He would come home clothed in full combat. I used to admire that soldier that I decided to pursue military as a career.
How would you characterize your military experiences?
Good. I have had an opportunity to know many places in the country and other countries. Being in the army has also given me a rare opportunity to meet and make many great friends from within the country and outside.
How does your military experience affect your family?
In military when you are assigned a duty, you must respond immediately without asking questions no matter where you are. During my years of service, I was detached from family for long periods due to the multiple deployments I encountered. This experience caused anxiety to my wife and children and other close relatives. It also caused me stress and loneliness being separated from my family for long.
Can you identify some positive and negative aspects of your military experience?
The positive aspect is that military is a prestigious career that gives an individual the opportunity to visit many places and meet wonderful people and make many friends.
The negative is that the commitment and dedication to the service denies a person the opportunity to develop in other areas in life because they lack the time to do so.
How would you describe military culture in general?
The military culture is unique and composed of a traditional model and an evolving model aimed at equipping and training the forces. The military culture in general is constituted of Beliefs that include: Defence of Democracy, Trust in the leadership, Distrust of civilian and Role clarity. It is also composed of Value Systems that include:
Leave no one behind, "The Group" is a ‘family system’, Top Cover-defence & support the boss and Violence. It also has Rules and Norms that include: Formal & informal conduct,
Stigma of PTSD and other mental health illnesses, Top Cover (Cover of the boss) and Back-logging trauma.
What are some memorable experiences about your military life?
Being deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan. In one memorable encounter in Afghanistan, I encountered a hand-to-hand combat where I saw a buddy killed. All of a sudden I was so frustrated with everyone and I needed to have time alone.
How did your military experiences help in the formation or influence your identity?
The experience of witnessing either a soldier or civilian killed, wounded or injured had a great influence in my mental stability which is part of what determines the identity of a person.
Consider someone who wants to work in a professional capacity with military personnel, active, retired, or reserves. What is especially important for this individual to know about military culture? Why is this especially important?
They should know that in the military you follow orders and whenever given command, you have to obey no matter how you are feeling at the moment.
Having this knowledge is especially important to know because it develops self-discipline and build your personality as a soldier.
What new experiences did you notice and experience in the community when you returned from your deployment?
People in the community are upset with little things such as, the long queue in the bank. I find myself being frustrated with them.
How can you describe the a military personnel’s personality?
Soldiers are good people eager to get help only that they are embarrassed to ask for that help.
After being separated have you received any help from any government agents within the last one year?
The help I have received is from CareForTheTroops organization.
Young Veterans are returning from combat with mental health problems, PSTD, combat stress, marital problems, financial responsibilities and family responsibilities, what would you suggest that they should do?
They should confide with their family what they went through.
How can professionals help support military personnel and their families?
By listening to their story, and encouraging them and helping them to seek help. Their families should confide with them, have patience with them and encourage them regarding seeking help.
Would you want to serve again with the military?
Yes, I would be glad to serve again if repealed by the DADT.
Part II: Reflection
What information did I gain as a result of this interview?
The most essential information gathered by the interviewer is that most of the soldiers who serve in the Army in the United States and had be...