The Effects of Multiple Deployments on Army Adolescents

Multiple deployments have become a way of life for our Soldiers. In Army families, these frequent deployments increase the burden on children who must face the stress and strain of separation and anxiety. The authors take a much-needed, detailed look at the effects of multiple deployments on Army adolescents. The results of this study reinforce some of what we already know concerning deployments and children, but they also reveal some very interesting, counterintuitive findings that challenge the conventional wisdom concerning Army adolescents. This study goes beyond merely explaining the impact 8 years of war is having on the children of our Soldiers; rather, it explores the specific factors that increase or alleviate stress on Army adolescents. The results reveal that Army adolescents, contrary to what many believed, are much more self-aware and resilient. Furthermore, they are capable of understanding the multiple implications of having a parent serve in the all-volunteer Army during a time of war. Army children may experience the anxiety and stress that often surround a parent's deployment, but results conclude that there are factors that policymakers, leaders, and parents can use to increase a child's ability to cope with a life of repeated deployments. In this era of persistent conflict, we should carefully consider such findings.

History

Wong, Leonard

Gerras, Stephen

Military

BiblioGov

Changing Minds in The Army: Why It Is So Difficult and What To Do About It (Enlarged Edition)

Education & Teaching

Institute, Strategic Studies

College, U.S. Army War

Gerras, Stephen J.

Schools & Teaching

lulu.com

<p>The euphoria over the exceptionally successful combat operations of the Iraqi War has subsided as Operation Iraqi Freedom shifted to the long, hard tasks of nation-building and counterinsurgency. By all accounts, the process of assisting Iraq in becoming a secure, stable democracy has become much more complicated than originally believed. Yet within the complex environment of postwar Iraq, Dr. Leonard Wong argues that junior officers are being developed into creative, innovative, and independent leaders. He attributes this unique leader development opportunity to the ambiguous, complex, and unpredictable environment of postwar Iraq. The implication of so many of the Army's junior officers being developed into adaptive leaders is significant. For several years, the leadership literature in both the military and civilian arenas has been replete with calls for adaptable and innovative leaders.</p>

Developing Adaptive Leaders: The Crucible Experience Of Operation Iraqi Freedom

With the recent lightning swift combat successes of Operation Iraqi Freedom, there may be a tendency to view with awe the lethality of U.S. technology and training. Indeed, the U.S. military is unmatched in the raw combat power it is capable of unleashing in a conflict. This monograph, however, argues that the true strength of America's military might lies not in its hardware or high-tech equipment, but in its soldiers. Dr. Leonard Wong and his colleagues traveled to Iraq to see what motivated soldiers to continue in battle, to face extreme danger, and to risk their lives in accomplishing the mission. As a means of comparison, they began by interviewing Iraqi Regular Army prisoners of war to examine their combat motivation and unit dynamics. The researchers then interviewed U.S. combat troops fresh from the fields of battle to examine their views.

Why They Fight: Combat Motivation In The Iraq War

Kolditz, Thomas A.

Millen, Raymond A.

Potter, Terrence M.

The Army is moving rapidly on the road to transformation. New vehicles are being fielded, doctrine is being written, and alternative force structures are being tested.Akey part of this process is the transformation of the human dimension of the Army. The future leaders of the transformed Army will have to be innovative leaders who can operate in a rapidly changing environment in the absence of detailed guidance from higher headquarters. Dr. Leonard Wong examines how, despite the need to develop and grow innovative leaders for the Army's future forces, the current system in the Army seems to be working against that vision. He argues that current levels of directed training events, dictated training procedures, and disruptions originating from higher echelons are having a detrimental effect on the development of innovation in today's company commanders. Some may find it difficult to accept the message of this monograph as they point to the many operational and training successes of the Army.

Stifled Innovation? Developing Tomorrow's Leaders Today

Multiple deployments have become a way of life for our Soldiers. In Army families, these frequent deployments increase the burden on children who must face the stress and strain of separation and anxiety. The authors take a much-needed, detailed look at the effects of multiple deployments on Army adolescents. The results of this study reinforce some of what we already know concerning deployments and children, but they also reveal some very interesting, counterintuitive findings that challenge the conventional wisdom concerning Army adolescents. This study goes beyond merely explaining the impact 8 years of war is having on the children of our Soldiers; rather, it explores the specific factors that increase or alleviate stress on Army adolescents. The results reveal that Army adolescents, contrary to what many believed, are much more self-aware and resilient. Furthermore, they are capable of understanding the multiple implications of having a parent serve in the all-volunteer Army during a time of war. Army children may experience the anxiety and stress that often surround a parent’s deployment, but results conclude that there are factors that policymakers, leaders, and parents can use to increase a child’s ability to cope with a life of repeated deployments. In this era of persistent conflict, we should carefully consider such findings. (Originally published by the Strategic Studies Institute)

Health, Fitness & Dieting

Psychology & Counseling

CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform

Changing Minds in the Army Why It Is so Difficult and What to Do About It.

U.S. Army War College

<p>Untruthfulness is surprisingly common in the U.S. military even though members of the profession are loath to admit it. Further, much of the deception and dishonesty that occurs in the profession of arms is actually encouraged and sanctioned by the military institution. The end result is a profession whose members often hold and propagate a false sense of integrity that prevents the profession from addressing-or even acknowledging-the duplicity and deceit throughout the formation. It takes remarkable courage and candor for leaders to admit the gritty shortcomings and embarrassing frailties of the military as an organization in order to better the military as a profession. Such a discussion, however, is both essential and necessary for the health of the military profession Military leaders, enlisted soldiers, personnel management, and ethics officers may be interested in this text. Additionally students pursuing coursework in business ethics and military science may also benefit from this work.</p>

Lying to Ourselves: Dishonesty in the Army Profession: Dishonesty in the Army Profession

Business & Money

Business Culture

Department of the Army

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Wong, Leonard. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Books by Wong, Leonard