A scope of the problem: Post-deployment reintegration challenges in a National Guard Unit

Abstract

BACKGROUND: More Reserve and Guard members have been activated in the past few years than in any other time in history. In addition to the high rates of psychological and behavioral challenges among military personnel, there are other equally important post-deployment reintegration challenges. Post-deployment reintegration challenges are particularly important to Reserve and Guard members, who transition rapidly from civilian-military-civilian. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to describe the scope of challenges that a battalion of National Guard members (NGM) report experiencing after returning from a one-year deployment to Iraq. METHOD: This article reports data from a sample of 126 NGM who recently returned from a one-year deployment to Iraq. The scope of post-deployment problems at baseline, 3-and 6-month post-deployment are presented. RESULTS: Overall, the rates of post-deployment psychological and behavioral problems were elevated upon returning from deployment and remained fairly constant for up to 6 months post-deployment. Approximately 30% of respondents were unsatisfied with their relationship and upwards of 30% reported family reintegration challenges. CONCLUSIONS: Comparisons with similar research and implications for prevention and improvement of post-deployment quality of life are addressed.

Veterans and Job Satisfaction in the U.S. Federal Government: The Importance of Role Clarity in the First Years of Civilian Employment

“…Put simply, reintegration is “a process of change over time” “rather than a steady state” (Elnitsky et al, 2017, p. 10). Research on reintegration mostly focuses on veterans’ short-term post-deployment experiences, for example, 1 year for Plach and Sells (2013) and 3 and 6 months for Wilcox et al (2015), and Jackson et al (2012) show that the level of agreeableness over a 6-year period for recruits continuing on in military service returns at a slower rate than for those who exit their military career. To sum up, regardless of whether they are positive or detrimental, military training and active service experiences have a lasting impact on veterans.…”

Medicinal versus recreational cannabis use among returning veterans.

“…Veteran research can greatly inform federal and state cannabis-related policies, which are in constant flux yet shifting towards more tolerant practices regarding MC use within the VHA. These policies are especially relevant to returning veterans from the Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation New Dawn (OEF/OIF/OND) conflicts, as they have endured high stress levels due to their military experiences (combat exposure) and post-deployment reintegration problems (e.g., financial, family, unemployment; Brenner et al, 2015; Wilcox et al, 2015). Like non-veteran MC users, OEF/OIF/OND soldiers, particularly those with PTSD, also report poor general health and increased somatic symptoms such as chronic pain (Gironda, Clark, Massengale, & Walker, 2006; Spiro, Hankin, Mansell, & Kazis, 2006), greater medical services utilization (Cohen et al, 2010; Kim, Thomas, Wilk, Castro, & Hoge, 2010) and worse sleep (Capaldi, Guerrero, & Killgore, 2011; Lavie, Katz, Pillar, & Zinger, 1998; Lew et al, 2009; Mysliwiec et al, 2013).…”

Civilian Unemployment and Mental Health: The Moderating Impact of Alcohol Misuse in Returning National Guard

“…1,[4][5][6][7] The reintegration experiences of NG members are often different from active duty service members. 1,2,8 Although most active duty members returning from deployment remain in the military fulltime, NG members transition into civilian communities often ill-prepared to accommodate their reintegration needs. 9 The adjustment of NG members typically includes the transition from full-to part-time NG employment, thus the need to return to their civilian job or find additional civilian employment.…”