Chapter 2: Appreciating the Unique Needs of the Military Lifestyle
“Don’t think only about your own affairs, but be interested in others, too, and what they are doing.”
Philippians 2:4 NLT
Dispelling the Myth of “Sameness”
“People are all the same. Everyone has the same need -- they all need to be saved!” This is the way the pastor responded to the military chaplain's effort to describe why service members and their families have a set of needs different from those of the civilian world. Nothing could derail the pastor from his narrowly-focused train of thought.
Do you agree with the pastor? Certainly there is a great need for everyone to come into personal fellowship with God. But there are also many physical, emotional and spiritual needs that are uniquely experienced by military members and their families. And until those needs are recognized and understood and addressed, persons may not be open to considering the most urgent need of all -- a personal relationship with God. So it is imperative that pastors, chaplains, parachurch leaders, and all who endeavor to minister to others realize this basic reality.
All humans have certain needs in common, but there are specific needs that military members and their families experience that are different from non-military folks. If you’ve spent significant time around people serving in the military, you have discovered that the demands of their lifestyle are unique from the general public. If you’ve ever served in the military, you’ve experienced the reality of the distinctive needs of military members and their families.
The Hierarchy of Needs—Abraham Maslow’s 1954 model
- His humanistic framework identifies some basic needs that all people, everywhere have.
- Spiritual needs are noticeably absent.
- Physiological
- Safety
- Belongingness and love
- Esteem
- Self-actualization
All humans have 3 basic needs: Spiritual, Emotional/Mental, and Physical
- The order in which these needs are met is an important consideration.
- We could argue that our spiritual need is the most significant need.
- We may mistakenly assume it should be the first need addressed.
Jesus’ met peoples’ physical /emotional needs first before He addressed their spiritual needs.
Consider Jesus’ example as a template for ministering to needs of the military.
WHAT ARE THE UNIQUE NEEDS OF THE MILITARY?
1. Separation and Loneliness
More frequent deployments due to the war on terror
Remotes and other overseas assignments creat unique hardships
Non-military folks need to be aware of the military’s unique stressor – SEPARATION
Dad or mom gone a lot – temporary duty, deployment, combat
Commanders’ perspective and empathy on the significance of separation
77% report ability to cope with separation impacts how families function
[Source: DoD Installation Commanders Conference Survey]
Frequent deployments -- the military lifestyle
Very few remote assignments – done via satellite
Rotation cycle – varies by Branch of the military
Expeditionary Force Concept has institutionalized deployment.
Fewer remote assignments, but more temporary duty assignments
Operational Tempo & Personnel Tempo affecting morale
Number/length of deployments top concern of Air Force (AF)
[Source: Air Force Community Needs Assessment Survey]
Reserve/Guard units frequently deployed in support of Active Duty forces [Total Force]
Since 9-11 more actively involved in defense of our country – Iraq, Afghanistan, Korea
Reservists called/recalled to active duty live scattered throughout the country
Many forced to live long term in another community
If family remains behind, support is needed for two households
If family is with them, they may arrive at temporary location without support networks
Many are unprepared to deal with long-term deployment
Unique circumstances experienced by Reserve and Guard families
Not in the military day in and day out
Unprepared for demands of service life thrust on them
Spouses displaced from their familiar home / surroundings
Children left behind without familiar voice and presence
2. Feelings of isolation
Uprooting can be unpleasant – “a moving experience”
Out of touch with loved ones and extended family
Military work in a strange / hostile environment with its own foreign language
Staying in touch while on opposite sides of the world is frustrating
Communication can be challenging
Frequent moves and deployments make connecting with community difficult
Extended family may be military branch of service, or church (family of God)
Sense of belonging is critical to well-being
Elitism is a possibility from military & civilian perspective!
3. Sense of helplessness
“Everything goes wrong” when military member away
Searching yellow pages for plumber/heating/AC repairman
Spouses and children don’t have priority health care like a person in uniform
4. Fear
Military member may serve in combat zone/dangerous environment
Occupational hazard – could be killed, or severely wounded!
Families left behind hear bad news every day - troops killed and injured
Pervasive presence of 24/7 news media leads to continual anxiety
Inescapable awareness of war/danger increases STRESS to say the least
FEAR may be unspoken, but is always there . . .
Dependents’ safety in school and community?
5. Unfamiliar and unexpected experiences for all involved
Culture shock of living several times zones away from familiar home
Insecurity of handling separation from loved ones
6. Financial frustrations
#1 issue dealt with by Navy leadership (57% of problems addressed)
[Source: Navy Leadership Survey]
#1 issue reported as “great” problem by military families
62% of young enlisted – money management difficulty
58% burdened by financial indebtedness
46% worried about finding jobs for spouses
[Source: DoD Installation Commanders Conference]
Compensation – concern of Senior Enlisted Advisors
Need to reexamine pay table and recalculate Cost of Living Allowance (COLA)
E-5 – E-7 levels underpaid
Overuse of bonuses creating “haves” and “have nots”
Reserves pay parity needs attention
[Source: Forum commissioned by Secretary of Defense]
Financial hardship caused by deployment
Difficulty paying bills on time . . . with composure
Many junior service members work second job to help families to make ends meet
Child care expenses are a major concern
Added expenses during deployment impact a young military family’s ability to pay bills
Reservists and Guard often leave behind significantly higher-paying jobs
Family bills will be based on the civilian income, no longer available
Combination of emergency loans, spouse employment, second jobs leads to more stress
Financial problems of Enlisted
21% borrowed from family / friends
18% behind on credit card payments
15% bounced 2 or more checks
14% pressured by creditors
8% late payment letter sent to commander
[Source: DoD Survey]
Financial condition of officers – difficulty paying bills
5% in over head / tough
17% occasional difficulty
79% able to meet ends / secure
[Source: DoD survey]
Maintaining 1 and ½ households is burdensome
Military allowances don’t cover all expenses
Guard and Reserve hope to return to jobs
Some employers graciously pay difference between military and civilian pay
7. Caring for children in absence of military parent
1,245,003 minor dependents
38.9% 0-5 years of age
34.2% 6-11 years of age
23.5% 12-18 years of age
3.4% 19 years of age and over
[Source: Profile of the Military Community]
8. Health care
A great concern of Senior Enlisted
Need better dissemination of health care information, including how to receive emergency care
Need more TRICARE (health insurance) network providers
