Military Deployments

Deployment timelines KBR/Civilian employees including “security personnel” is 6 months or 12 months. Air Force was 2 months but changed to 3 months. Navy/Marines are deployed for 7 months. Army personnel are deployed for 12 months. These times are based on “boots on the ground” or actual time in theater, which could include time in Kuwait or another staging area.

Vocabulary IED- Improvised Explosive Device: roadside bomb. VBIED- Vehicle-borne Explosive Device: a car or truck outfitted with explosives as a bomb, used for moving suicide attacks against convoys. It is also positioned near buildings or public places to inflict maximum damage. Enlisted- soldiers in the military with the lowest rank, i.e. private. NCO- Non-commissioned officer, soldiers who are sergeants, the “doers of the military.” Officer-Commissioned officer, who typically plan and direct operations. The officer makes the plan and gives the orders to NCOs. NCOs give the detailed orders and plans to the enlisted soldiers.

Vocabulary Regular military i.e. active duty military- full-time enlistment, works for federal government, relocate every 3-5 years. Reserve- “part-time” citizen soldier who has full-time civilian employment, mobilized for federal service. National Guard- “part-time citizen soldier who has full- time civilian employment, also mobilized for federal service but also State service.

Vocabulary “Outside the Wire”- Any area not in a fortified base camp. Commander- The officer in charge of a unit. First Sergeant- Senior NCO in a unit of about 100 soldiers.

Common Traumatic Events Mortar and rocket fire. Small arms fire. IEDs or roadside bombs, especially combined with an ambush. VBIEDs or attempts to smuggle bombs into fortified areas. Distrust of interpreters, Iraqi military and Iraqi police. Constant threat (see next slide).

Constant Threat Regular stories from units with fatalities. Units getting hit daily during crisis periods. Constant state of vigilance because of pervasive IED threat. Stress from concern over a lack of equipment in the high threat environment, such as travel in unarmored vehicles. Persistent mortar and rocket fire.

Common Concerns Wife or girlfriend unfaithful. Marital/relationship issues. Financial Issues. Issues with children relating to the adjustment and previous problems. Needy family members.

Working with the Military Member Avoid showing surprise. Be careful not to place your values onto the service member. Understand that they may share part of the information to see how you react before sharing more. Be action-focused at the end of the session.

Military Deployments This training presentation is available for download at: © 2007 Utah Youth Village.