Discussion: Values and Perspectives
While many military personnel may internalize the core values of their perspective branches, not every service member does. Some personnel respect and embrace the values immediately, while others do so over time, and some never do. Some military personnel join, but leave after their first contract, while others remain in the service for many years. As a helping professional, you can expect clients in the military to reflect a wide range of commitment to military values and internalization of military culture. How might an internalization of and commitment to military values influence a service member’s identity? How might this internalization of a branch’s values contribute to the stressors the service member endures?
This week, as you have explored the military branches to increase your knowledge regarding the roles and responsibilities of military personnel, you may have also increased your understanding of the stressors associated with the military lifestyle. As you have deepened your understanding of military culture, you may also be aware of how your own perspective of the military, its members, and its mission may influence the way you, as a helping professional, view and interact with military personnel. For example, if you strongly oppose war, it may be challenging to work with military personnel who train to engage in war and who strongly identify with this role. Keep this self-awareness in mind as your prepare your Discussion post.
For this Discussion, read the scenarios in the “Military Branches Scenarios” document (refer to this week’s resources). Select one scenario to address in the Discussion.
By Day 3Post one important fact each about two different military branches—explaining why this information is important for helping professionals to know.
Then, explain what challenges a helping professional whose views conflict with those espoused by the military might face when interacting with the service member in the scenario you selected. Finally, explain one strategy you, as a helping professional, might use to address these challenges.
Be sure to support your post with specific references to the resources. If you are using additional articles, be sure to provide full APA-formatted citations for your references.