Warrior Transition Brief 26 Oct 06

Slide1 : Return From Deployment: Warrior Transition Brief Version: 061026


General Conway, June 06 : General Conway, June 06 '…it’s important, at the command level and at every subordinate level, that people understand that we will treat the mind just as certainly as we treat a body wound to get our Marines and Sailors back into shape. And it is no embarrassment. There should be no stigma associated with the fact that you’re having problems from something you have done or experienced or seen in a combat zone.' Combat stress injuries can happen to even the strongest Marines


Slide3 : Deployment Review What our mission was What we came to do What our challenges as a unit were What the good was that was done here The sacrifices that some of our Marines/Sailors made Why we made a difference


What Are the Challenges of Retraining to Garrison and Home Life? : Giving up the security of being surrounded by your buddies 24/7 Giving up the security of being armed 24/7 Learning that trash on the roadside back home is not going to explode as you drive by Learning, not just in your head but in your heart, that people on the street do not want to kill you Learning to adjust to the slower pace and lower excitement level of life at home Relearning how to be around others without swearing or being offensive Learning how to do the things you miss (like drinking, driving, or sex) in safe moderation Figuring out how much to tell family and friends What Are the Challenges of Retraining to Garrison and Home Life?


The Greatest Dangers You Will Face Back Home: : Accidents from taking risks Alcohol and drugs Getting irritated and getting into fights The Greatest Dangers You Will Face Back Home: Being home should not be more hazardous than being in combat.


Healing from Wounds: The Other Transition Challenge : Healing from Wounds: The Other Transition Challenge Injuries can be physical, mental, or spiritual


How Many Marines Have Stress Injuries? : How Many Marines Have Stress Injuries? ALL Marines experience stress during operational deployment MOST reactions to combat and other operational stress are normal and go away quickly on their own SOME Marines sustain stress injuries from the impacts of terror and horror, the wear-and-tear of operations, or the death of comrades FEW Marines experience stress injury symptoms that don’t heal up on their own VERY FEW don’t get better with treatment once their stress injuries are identified Stress injuries can be treated. Get help!


Three Types of Stress Injuries : Three Types of Stress Injuries TRAUMA An impact injury Due to events involving terror, horror, or helplessness GRIEF A loss injury Due to the loss of people who are cared about FATIGUE A wear-and-tear injury Due to the accumulation of stress over time COMBAT / OPERATIONAL STRESS


Combat/Operational Stress Injury Signs and Symptoms : Combat/Operational Stress Injury Signs and Symptoms Sleeplessness: trouble falling or staying asleep Physical reactions: uncontrollable pounding heart, sweating, or trouble catching your breath for no reason Irritability, anger, or rage outbursts, sometimes with little provocation Repeated disturbing thoughts, images, or memories of a terrible or horrifying experience Repeated disturbing dreams of a stressful experience Isolating yourself from other people, or having an unusually hard time being around others Being hyper-alert even when there is no danger, or too easily startled Feeling physically and emotionally drained Not being able to enjoy activities or people you used to find enjoyable


Healing from Injuries: The Four Pillars Of Health : Healing from Injuries: The Four Pillars Of Health PHYSICAL SPIRITUAL COGNI T I V E EMOT IONAL


Imbalance In the Four Pillars of Health : Imbalance In the Four Pillars of Health SPIRITUAL If one falls, they all fall.


Physical Pillar of Health : Physical Pillar of Health


Emotional Pillar of Health : Emotional Pillar of Health Positive emotions need to be strengthened through practice Negative emotions (like useless anger) need to be weakened through stopping them Bad feelings from events you can’t forget need to be faced


Cognitive Pillar of Health : Cognitive Pillar of Health Ask yourself how your thoughts might be making you feel bad Ask yourself if those bad thoughts are reasonable and fair


Spiritual Pillar of Health : Spiritual Pillar of Health


Slide16 : Successful Warrior Transition Includes: TOTAL health: Physical Emotional Cognitive Spiritual RESETTING and RESTORING our: Bodies Feelings Thoughts Relationships and Beliefs


Where to Seek Assistance : Where to Seek Assistance


Conclusion : Conclusion Combat and arduous deployments affect everyone Most Marines and Marine spouses are resilient and bounce back quickly, but some, through no fault of their own, will not Transitioning back to garrison and home life involves both retraining and healing from stress injuries Support from the members of your unit and family and friends is important It’s OK to ask for help


Slide19 : Return From Deployment: Warrior Transition Brief


The Greatest Dangers You Will Face Back Home: : The Greatest Dangers You Will Face Back Home: Accidents from taking risks Alcohol and drugs Getting irritated and getting into fights Being home should not be more hazardous than being in combat.


Healing from Wounds: The Other Transition Challenge : Healing from Wounds: The Other Transition Challenge Injuries can be physical, mental, or spiritual


Three Types of Stress Injuries : Three Types of Stress Injuries TRAUMA An impact injury Due to events involving terror, horror, or helplessness GRIEF A loss injury Due to the loss of people who are cared about FATIGUE A wear-and-tear injury Due to the accumulation of stress over time COMBAT / OPERATIONAL STRESS


Three Types of Stress Injuries : Three Types of Stress Injuries TRAUMA An impact injury Due to events involving terror, horror, or helplessness GRIEF A loss injury Due to the loss of people who are cared about FATIGUE A wear-and-tear injury Due to the accumulation of stress over time COMBAT / OPERATIONAL STRESS


Physical Pillar of Health : Physical Pillar of Health


Emotional Pillar of Health : Emotional Pillar of Health Positive emotions need to be strengthened through practice Negative emotions (like useless anger) need to be weakened through stopping them Bad feelings from events you can’t forget need to be faced


Cognitive Pillar of Health : Cognitive Pillar of Health Ask yourself how your thoughts might be making you feel bad Ask yourself if those bad thoughts are reasonable and fair


Spiritual Pillar of Health : Spiritual Pillar of Health


Slide28 : Successful Warrior Transition Includes: TOTAL health: Physical Emotional Cognitive Spiritual RESETTING and RESTORING our: Bodies Feelings Thoughts Relationships and Beliefs