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

Issue title: Soldier Rehabilitation

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Wilcox, Sherrie L. | Oh, Hyunsung | Redmond, Sarah A. | Chicas, Joseph | Hassan, Anthony M. | Lee, Pey-Jiuan | Ell, Kathleen

Affiliations: Center for Innovation and Research on Veterans and Military Families (CIR), School of Social Work, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA

Note: [] Corresponding author: Sherrie Wilcox, Center for Innovation and Research on Veterans and Military Families (CIR), School of Social Work, University of Southern California, 1150 S. Olive Street, Suite 1400, Los Angeles, CA 90015, USA. Tel.: +1 213 821 3618; Fax: +1 213 740 7735; E-mail: SLWilcox@USC.edu

Keywords: Employment, marital relationship, reintegration, post-deployment transitioning

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-141935

Journal: Work, vol. 50, no. 1, pp. 73-83, 2015

Received 8 July 2013
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Accepted 5 February 2014
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Published: 2015
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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.

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