LCDR Rob Cooper 17 June 2012

1. LCDR Rob Cooper 17 June 2012 Yellow Ribbon Program PSU 307 60-day post-deployment

2. Objectives • Provide information, resources, tools & education that: • Give you and your family knowledge, skills & abilities to: • Continue “long-term” reintegration • Facilitate successful transition

3. Agenda • Yellow Ribbon Program History/Overview • Transition Assistance Program (TAP) • Employment Issues & Resources • Veterans Affairs • Operational Stress Control (OSC) • Suicide Prevention • Health Safety & Work-Life • CG SUPRT • Wrap-up

4. Yellow Ribbon Program History • 2008: Congress mandated creation of the Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program for reserve members and their families • Office of Secretary of Defense was directed to establish the program & provide Reserve members and their families with information throughout deployment cycle • Public Law requires YR events are held for reserve members who deploy under T-10 for a minimum of 90-days • 2010: CG’s YR Program (CGYRP) established to ensure deploying members/ families connect with local resources before, during, & after deployments

5. CGYRP Overview CGYRP: 5 events and 1 briefing executed to help build resilient members and families and to highlight available resources: • Pre-deployment events: for members and family/designated other (0-60 days prior to departing) • Deployment events: for family/designated other (mid-point of anticipated deployment) • DEMOB briefing: for member at point of DEMOB • Post-deployment 30-day interval events: for members and family/designated other (around 30-day mark after RELAD). • Post-deployment 60-day interval events: for member (around 3-month mark after RELAD). • Post-deployment 90-day interval events: for member (around 6-month mark after RELAD).

6. Office of Work-Life Programs -Transition Assistance Program COMDTINST 1900.2A • Who is Eligible for this Program? • Active Duty, Reservists, Retirees and their spouses • Purpose of Program • provide information and assistance to all separating and retiring members to help them make an effective transition from military to civilian life. • ensure that separating members are made aware of, and have access to, the numerous programs and services available to assist them in the transition process • http://www.uscg.mil/WORKLIFE/transition_assistance.asp • 1-800-872-4957 to locate nearest Work-Life office

7. Turbo TAP • DoD transition assistance program - Supporting continuum of services of all transitioning personnel. Excellent source of information for Coast Guard Personnel • Transition guides, Online learning and more! • http://www.turbotap.org/register.tpp

8. Employer Relations Post-Mobilization Briefing What you need to do DURING and AFTER your mobilization http://www.esgr.org/site/News/MultimediaPhotos.aspx Developed by: National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve

9. Mobilization • Serve Honorably • To ensure you are eligible for USERRA rights, you must serve honorably while on active duty • Disqualifying service consists of dishonorable, bad conduct and other than honorable discharges

10. Post-Mobilization • Know your Job is Protected • You have rights under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) • Military leave of absence • Prompt reinstatement back into your job • Accumulation of seniority as if you never left • Immediate reinstatement of health insurance • Training and retraining of job skills • Protection against discrimination and discharge

11. Post-Mobilization • Recognize your Employer • Do you have a supportive employer? Submit them for an ESGR ‘Patriot Award’ • Award nomination form available on line at: www.esgr.mil or in hard copy format • Award includes a signed Department of Defense certificate and a lapel pin

12. Post-Mobilization • ESGR – your support network • The DoD agency established to gain and maintain employer support for the Guard and Reserve • Comprised of over 5,000 volunteers in all 54 States and Territories and Europe • Assists RC members by helping to resolve employment related issues and recognize employers

13. ESGR Contact Info • Phone(national helpline): 1-800-336-4590 • On Line: www.esgr.mil • Email: ncesgr-ombud@osd.mil

14. USERRA • Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994 (USERRA) • Department of Labor • VETS – Veterans Education and Training Srv. • www.dol.gov/elaws/userra0.htm

15. Execution Plan An OSD Reserve Affairs Project Supporting The President’s Call “To Put Our Heroes to Work”

16. Mission • The Assistant Secretary of Defense (Reserve Affairs) and the Reserve Component Chiefs are responsible for the readiness of their units and service members • Civilian employment has become a critical part of the Reserve Component (RC) members ability to remain in service • It has a great impact on the RC members well-being

17. Background • Hero 2 Hired (H2H) is a consolidation and network of efforts within the following Reserve Affairs offices (to gain efficiencies and improve effectiveness) • RC Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program has a congressional mandate to provide employment services • Employer Support for Guard and Reserve (ESGR) • Multiple Reserve Component efforts...Employer Partnership of the Armed Forces (EPAF); NG Jobs Connection Education Program; Marines Home town Links • H2H.jobs is NOT another “Jobs Board” it is a comprehensive solution for addressing the extreme unemployment faced in the RC • H2H serves the unique population of the Reserve Component and the employment concerns of that specific population

18. Simple is better! H2H.jobs is designed to be a useful, fast loading, results oriented web application Our mission is to connect RC service members with career opportunities and jobs through engagement with employers

19. What are the benefits of H2H for service members

20. Face Book Application

21. H2H.jobs – Mobile App • The H2H Mobile App will be available on IOS, Android and Windows Phones and will integrate • into the H2H.jobs engine • The H2H Mobile App for iPad and Android tablets will also features full H2H.jobs functionality • This allows for service members to register once and then stay connected via their phone/tablet • They will be able to sign up for push alerts by location and profile

22. August 21, 2012 November 12, 2012

23. Direct Mail Campaign25,000 Employers

24. Employers • Landing • Page

25. H2H Contact • https://h2h.jobs/ • H2H.jobs@osd.mil

26. U.S. Dept of Veteran Affairs • http://www.va.gov/ • http://www.oefoif.va.gov/videos.asp

27. VA: Post-deployment • Five years cost free health care • Dental benefit • Women specific health care available • Primary care • Specialty care • Mental health care • Readjustment counseling

28. Family counseling • OEF/OIF/OND Care Management program • Coordination of care and benefits • Other traditional VA benefits • http://www.oefoif.va.gov/index.asp

29. OSC Review • Discuss the experience…thoughts & feelings…from multiple perspectives • Review the Operational Stress Continuum (Ready, Reacting, Injured, or Ill) • Self-assess eight important areas of life and function • Remind you how and where to get help when needed • To continue assisting you with the challenges of reintegration by providing you the understanding and tools to navigate through it Reintegration Brief| CG-131 | LCDR Rob Cooper | May 2012

30. CG Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program • Upon return the service member may have experienced a myriad of thoughts and feelings. • Sense of relief • Proud of accomplishment • Wonder how spouse may have changed • Wonder how the children will react • Financial worries • Possible loss of importance to the family • Loss of freedom • Work reunion • Plus many more! Reintegration Brief| CG-131 | LCDR Rob Cooper | May 2012

31. CG Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program • Upon return the single member may have experienced a myriad of thoughts and feelings. • Proud of accomplishment • Wanting to reestablish living situation • Financial Concerns • Social Life / Significant other • Work Reunion • Changes in friends • Often overlooked ! Reintegration Brief| CG-131 | LCDR Rob Cooper | May 2012

32. CG Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program How did family members changed? • More independent • Used to making their own decisions • New friends/relationships • Children may be significantly different • New routines • New perspectives • Changes in the environment “I was angry for months, my spouse and kids had grown without me” Reintegration Brief| CG-131 | LCDR Rob Cooper | May 2012

33. CG Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program • Upon return the spouse may have experienced a myriad of thoughts and feelings. • Relieved! • Proud of accomplishment • Wonder how they are perceived by returning spouse • Loss of freedom • Stability of relationship • Possible resentment • Plus many more ! Reintegration Brief| CG-131 | LCDR Rob Cooper | May 2012

34. CG Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program • Upon return the children may have experienced a myriad of thoughts and feelings. • Happy! • Possibly resentful • Wonder if Dad/Mom will leave again • Clinging • Will want to “talk your ear off” • Worry about how things will change • Remember kids are still developing ! Reintegration Brief| CG-131 | LCDR Rob Cooper | May 2012

35. CG Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program • Upon return coworkers may have experienced a myriad of thoughts and feelings. • Happy … friend returns • Relieved due to more help • Possibly resentful • Feel under appreciated • Change in work roles • Personnel changes • Be aware of these ! Reintegration Brief| CG-131 | LCDR Rob Cooper | May 2012

36. CG Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program • Some things to consider: • Be Realistic ! • Show appreciation • Respect changes • Allow for couple / children time • Reestablishing intimacy • Avoid the “Who had it worse” game • Communication and Patience are the Key ! Reintegration Brief| CG-131 | LCDR Rob Cooper | May 2012

37. Environment Thinking/Feeling Aggressive Driving Aggression Control Hyper-vigilence Traffic Crowds Money Alcohol Security Boredom Routine Disillusion Thrill Seeking Irritability Anger Guilt Shame Hatred Relationships Spirituality Spouse Children Friends Growth Change Conflict Irritability Anger Detachment Withdrawal Control Understanding Why Loss of Trust in Others Loss of Trust in Self Loss of Trust in higher power Common Areas of Stress After Deployment Reintegration Brief| CG-131 | LCDR Rob Cooper | May 2012

38. Stressor Individual, Shipmate, Family Responsibility Unit Leader Responsibility Caregiver Responsibility Stress Continuum Model • Good to go • Well trained • Prepared • Fit and focused • Cohesive units & ready families • Distress or impairment • Mild and temporary • Anxious, irritable, or sad • Physical or behavioral changes • Stress injuries that don’t heal without help • Symptoms persist for >60 days, get worse, or initially get better and then return worse • More severe or persistent distress or impairment • May leave lasting memories, reactions, and expectations

39. Stressor Individual, Shipmate, Family Responsibility Unit Leader Responsibility Caregiver Responsibility Stress Continuum Model The Goal of OSC is to move towards GREEN

40. What is a “Stress Reaction”? “STRESS REACTION” • Temporary, mild physical or mental distress

41. Recognizing Stress:The Yellow Reacting Zone

42. What Are “Stress Injuries”? “STRESS INJURIES” • Wounds to the mind or brain caused by intense or prolonged stress • Impact Trauma • Wear and Tear Fatigue • Loss Grief • Inner conflict Injury to core beliefs

43. Stress Outcome Spectrum: Reactions Versus Injuries Stress Reactions Stress Injuries • Less common • May leave a scar • More severe distress or loss of function • May heal faster with help • Common • Always temporary • Mild distress or loss of function • Self-correcting

44. Recognizing Stress Injuries:The Orange Injured Zone

45. Recognizing Stress Illnesses:The Red Ill Zone All stress Illnesses MUST be referred to Medical for evaluation

46. Recognizing Stress Illnesses:The Red Ill Zone

47. Stressor Individual, Shipmate, Family Responsibility Unit Leader Responsibility Caregiver Responsibility Stress Continuum Model The Goal of OSC is to move towards GREEN

48. Self-Assessment Summary

49. Barriers to Successful Integration • Avoidance • Numbing and withdrawal • Response to intense emotions • Response to shame and guilt • Alienation • From those who had not shared their experience • Feeling of being misunderstood • Personal meaning • Unique effect of traumatic event

50. CG Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program • Each service member’s military experience and self concept is unique. • To feel good about themselves, veterans must continue to feel like honorable warriors. (Don’t confuse the proximity to the front line with the value and criticality of the job performed). • Not all stress problems are mental illnesses. • Not all stress problems are PTSD. • You are not alone. • Where do you get help? Shipmate, Family member, Command leadership, Ombudsman, Chaplain, Doctor, nurse or other medical staff member …. Reintegration Brief| CG-131 | LCDR Rob Cooper | May 2012