MILITARY ISSUES
There are over 1 million active-duty service members and over 15 million veterans in the U.S.
The U.S. Armed Forces has three general groups of military people: full-time soldiers and sailors (active duty), those who serve part time but may be called up for full-time duty (reservists and guard forces), and those who have served in the past (veterans and retirees).
The six distinct military branches are:
- Army (Army Reserve, and Army National Guard): protects security and resources on land
- Marine Corps (and Marine Corps Reserve): the maritime land force trained for rapid deploy
- Navy (and Navy Reserve): secures and protects the world’s oceans by sea, as well as air and land
- Air Force (Air Force Reserve, and Air National Guard): provides protection with a focus on air and space power
- Coast Guard (and Coast Guard Reserve): focused on maritime missions related to areas such as search and rescue, law enforcement, and environmental protection
- Space Force: focused on missions and operations related to the space
While each of these branches is unique (in structures, roles, ranks, and language), they all instill a mission-first value system, recognize the importance of highly structured collective identity, and stress the importance of values such as sacrifice and honor.
Service members experience strengths and challenges in different areas.
Military service involves multiple pathways related to decisions to serve (such as family history, patriotism, and economic or educational incentives), individual experiences (such as service during times of peace, service in wartime, and combat service), and post-military life (such as returning to civilian life and finding one’s meaning/purpose). Regardless of service branch, psychological and physical fitness is important to resiliency during times of stress.
Aspects of psychological fitness can include:
- Practicing realistic optimism
- The ability to be cognitively flexible
- Having self-regulation skills
- Utilizing social support systems
In addition to their experience with resiliency, military members can face struggles in various areas. These struggles may impact individual functioning, relationships with family and friends, and work performance. When a military member suffers, the whole community suffers.
Military related issues can include:
- Navigating military culture – for example, understanding the values, mission, and expectations of military culture, and how these align with one’s identity.
- Difficulties related to deployments – for example, serving in a combat or war zone, being separated from loved ones for extended periods of time, and experiencing a service-related injury or illness.
- Military separation and transition to civilian life – for example, reconnecting with loved ones, re-entering the work force, and adjusting to new experiences at home and in the community.
- Family issues – for example, marital stress, parenting issues, financial difficulties, feeling overwhelmed, and dealing with uncertainty.
- Struggles with mental health issues – for example, experiencing symptoms of trauma & PTSD, depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, and substance use issues.
Maintain strength by seeking help.
Counseling and therapy at Wellness Grove…
Our in-person (outpatient) counseling services are offered in Canton OH (near Akron, North Canton, and Massillon). We also offer telemental health sessions to all Ohio residents.
Wellness Grove
