Division/Category:
Communication
Management/Multi-Audience Communication
Organization:
Minnesota National
Guard
Intended Audiences:
More than 2,600
Minnesota National Guard troops serving in Iraq, their
families, other members of the military, service providers
Concerned about
reports of depression, suicides, divorces, and posttraumatic stress in soldiers
returning from Iraq, the Minnesota National Guard designed a reintegration
program focusing on issues facing returning Guard troops. No formal
reintegration program existed previously for reserve forces.
The National Guard first had to get a conflicting Department of Defense policy rescinded. It was also necessary to get funding from the state and federal governments for the project, working through each legislature. When funding was secured, Governor Pawlenty established a task force with 82 members to address the needs of soldiers.
The National Guard set up a portal on its Web site for program information, and it was also presented in a magazine sent to soldiers. The program begins, during deployment, with seminars around the state to educate medical professionals, social workers, clergy, and others about reintegration and family assistance. Sessions for families help them address the effects of combat stress. When soldiers return, the usual activities are augmented by reintegration training. After 30 days at home, soldiers and their families are invited to a day offering workshops and counseling resources. Another is provided at 60 days. A final event at 90 days includes health screening and follow-on surveys. Though the program faced an obstacle when the National Guard soldiers’ combat tour was unexpectedly extended by four months, the campaign was ultimately successful, with surveys showing a majority of soldiers satisfied with the reintegration training.
