Information Specific to National Guard and Reserve Personnel
and Their Employers
A National Center for PTSD Fact Sheet
Unique Experiences
Recent conflicts abroad have placed new tolls on U.S.
National Guard and Reserves personnel. More reliance has been placed
on these voluntary personnel than ever before. Of the American troops
currently in Iraq, 40% are from Guard and Reserve units. The emotional
and psychological experiences of National Guard and Reserve members returning home will differ
from those of full time military personnel. Transitioning from active
duty back to normal everyday life presents unique challenges, including
returning to be productive employees in their former job or workplace.
National Guardsmen and Reservists are not always a part of the direct commaraderie and cohesiveness that regular active duty military personnel experience. Their normal lives are significantly disrupted when they are deployed. They return from service to an everyday life full of many friends and coworkers who have not shared their military experiences
and just months after their return they can face redeployment. The lives
of the families of these servicemen are also disrupted; spouses suddenly faced with making decisions without a partner, financial changes, emotional upheaval and at the same
time these families may not share the close ties that full time military families obtain from one another. Children grow and develop new skills in school. All parties need to work and adapt to a new and
mutually acceptable family pattern.
Information is available
A wealth of information on our website is targeted
to
veterans and
their families and certainly this applies to National Guard and Reserve
members. We encourage exploration of all of our existing material on a
wide range of topics. In addition, below we list several links that are
more specific to the needs of Reserve and National Guard members and their
employers.
Employers
Employers also can benefit from a better understanding
of their returning employee's needs and mindset. Information is available
for managers and supervisors to help facilitate the transition for both the
returnee and the workplace.
Related Fact Sheets
Information for Veterans and their Families. A list of fact sheets for servicemen and their families.
Coping When a Family Member Has Been Called to War. Discusses the issues family face before, during, and after a partner is
deployed to a war. Suggestions to help families cope are presented.
Resources
Resources for U.S. Soldiers Returning from Deployment. A list of resources available to returning soldiers and their families.
Website Links
Employer Support of the
Guard and Reserve: National Committee
for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserves
Facts sheets and resources for employers and members
of the Guard and Reserve on all aspects of workplace reentry.
Family Readiness Groups (FRGs)
The Army recognizes that helping families is its moral obligation and in its best interest. Family Readiness Groups (FRGs) are an
organization of officers, enlisted soldiers, civilians, and family members who volunteer to provide mutual social and emotional support,
outreach services, and information to their fellow soldiers and family members in a local area. For information contact your unit, or if you
need help in locating family assistance, contact the Army-wide Family Liaison Office or call toll-free 1-800-833-6622.
The National Mental Health Association
Fact sheets and information for Reservists and Guard
as well as their employers.
Ameriforce Deployment Guide 2004
Fact sheets and information for service members and their
families on post-deployment including home, finances, career, and more.
Courage to Care
This site, created by Uniformed Services University for
the Health Sciences, belongs to the Center for Traumatic Studies and
includes a wealth of additional information.'Courage to
Care' is an electronic health campaign
for military and civilian professionals serving the military community, and for military men, women and families.
Courage to Care:
Helping National Guard and Reserve reenter
the Workplace
A fact sheet specific to Reservists returning to the
workplace (PDF).
