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Chapter 4: Identifying Helpful Military Resources

Thu, 12/27/2007 - 21:56 — kermitjr

"God’s peace which transcends all understanding shall garrison and mount guard over
your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 4:7 AMPLIFIED BIBLE    

 So you want to be helpful?

     As a pastor, you're thrilled to greet a young couple visiting your church for the first time.  In a home visit, as you're getting acquained with them, you learn that the husband is in the Army, and that he has orders for Afghanistan.  He just returned from a tour of duty in Iraq less than a year ago, and while he is a patriotic soldier, neither he nor his wife is thrilled at the prospect of a second extended separation.  They're very concerned about dealing with the stress they know they'll both experience, and they're worried about surviving emotionally and keeping their marriage strong during this difficult time.  On top of that, they have two preschool children who will have trouble understanding why daddy has to be away again, and they are not sure how their son and daughter will react to the news of his leaving home for a long time again.  

     You sigh in your spirit, and feel overwhelmed by the depth of their need.  You're obviously not an expert in all their areas of concern (no one is).  But you'd really like to minister to them in practical ways because you genuinely care about their emotional and spiritual well-being.  

     So where do you turn for help?  If you find yourself in such a situation, this chapter can give you some practical tools and tips for helping service members and their spouses and children with all these issues and more.  Read it over . . . keep it handy . . . use it to spur your own thinking processes . . . and pray for God's blessings on those you try to help in His service.      

                                        Resources to help understand the military culture 

   Resources to help military families

 

              Resources to help Guard and Reserve family members learn about their benefits    

                      Resources to help military members transition back into civilian lives

                          Resources to help military families with practical relationship issues

Websites: 

Books:

  • Beneath the Surface: Steering Clear of the Dangers That Could Leave You Shipwrecked
        by Robert Reccord
  • Chicken Soup for the Military Wife's Soul by Jack Canfield   (Health Communications, 2005)
  • Communities in Blue for the 21st Century
    Available from:
    Brooks Air Force Base, Texas
    1-210-536-2032
    John.nelson@USAFSG.brooks.af.mil
  • Courage After Fire by Keith Armstrong, Suzanne Best and Paula Domenici
  • Defending the Military Marriage by Jim Fishback
  • Down Range to Iraq and Back by Bridget Cantrell and Chuck Dean

      [Word Smith Publishing;  Seattle, WA  98168] 

  • Hope for the Home Front: God’s Timeless Encouragement for Today’s Military Wife by Marshele Waddell  [One Hope Ministry;  P.O. Box 68188; Virginia Beach, Virginia  23471]
  • Married to the Military:  A Survival Guide for Military Wives, Girlfriends, and Women in Uniform               by Meredith Leyva 
  • Surviving Deployment:  A Guide for Military Familes by Karen Pavlicin
  • While They're at War:  The True Stories of American Families on the Homefront

      by Kristin Henderson   (Houghton Mifflin, 2005)

  • Scriptographic booklets by Channing L. Bete Co.
    South Deerfield, MA  01373
    1-800-628-7733
    Practical, easy-to-read booklets such as . . .
         About Parenting   
         About Building Relationships
         About Being Married in the Military
         About Good Money Management for Military Personnel
         About Your Military Chaplain
         Meeting the Challenges of Deployment
         About Reunion        . . . and many more! 

Organizations:

                                          Resources to help in emergency situations

  • American Red Cross  (communicating with deployed service member)
         In Virginia, dial 1-877-873-3651
  • TAPS  (Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors)
         Grief support and services for survivors of military line-of-duty deaths
  • Suicide Prevention/Intervention
         Along with the increased stresses experienced by military personnel and their families by deployments and war, there is also, unfortunately, an increase in the number of suicides and suicide attempts by service members and their families.
         Depression and lethargy related to separation, anxiety and loneliness, can often move beyond a normal stress response to levels that need intervention and treatment.  
         The most essential thing that pastors and churches can do is to stay in regular contact with family members and, insofar as possible, with the deployed service members.
         Be aware of changes in moods or activities over time, eg. early-riser who now sleeps in.
         One of the most prevalent models for suicide prevention and intervention is the ASIST model.

 

 

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