VA Boot Camp: Military Basics
11.24.14
Outcomes
• Define VA
• Describe the role and responsibilities of each military branch
• Explain the focus of each major military holiday
• Implement communication best practices page
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
The United States has the most comprehensive system of assistance for veterans of any nation in the world. The
United States Department of Veterans Affairs (commonly known as VA) is a government-run military veteran
benefit system. Its primary function is to support veterans in their time after service by providing certain benefits
and support, such as:
• Health care
• Vocational rehabilitation and employment
• Disability compensation
• Education
• Home loans
• Life insurance
• Burial and memorial benefits
• Eliminating veterans’ homelessness
Did you know? There are currently over 21 million veterans in the U.S. Here is a breakdown by state:
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VA Boot Camp: Military Basics
11.24.14
Military Branches
The U.S. Military serves to protect our country and keep it safe. Even when we are not at war, there are many
functions that the different branches of the military perform. There are 5 military branches, with groups being
responsible for our land, water, or air.
Army- Founded in 1775, the Army is the oldest and largest part of the U.S. military. They cover security on land. If
our country was to be attacked, the Army would fight off invaders on land. When the Army is called into another
country, they ensure that peace is made before they leave. Not everyone in the Army is a soldier; some people are
doctors or nurses, while others might need to cook for the troops or analyze data.
• Mission: to fight and win our nation’s wars by providing prompt, sustained land dominance across the full range of military operations and spectrum of conflict in support of combatant commanders
• Motto: “This we’ll defend”
• Core values:
• Loyalty – Bear true faith and allegiance to the U.S. Constitution, the Army, your unit, and
fellow Soldiers.
• Duty – Fulfill your obligations. Accept responsibility for your own actions and those entrusted to your care.
• Respect – Treat others as they should be treated.
• Selfless Service – Put the welfare of the nation, the Army and your subordinates before your own.
• Honor – Live the Army Values.
• Integrity – Do what’s right, both legally and morally.
• Personal Courage – Face fear, danger, or adversity, both physical and moral.
Navy- The U.S. Navy is responsible for making sure that the waters surrounding our country are safe and secure.
When we are not at war, the Navy’s ships patrol the area to check that everything is safe. During war, they find and
attack enemy ships. The Navy can also be called on to help with emergencies at sea or to transport large amounts
of supplies to U.S. troops who are in other countries.
• Mission: to maintain, train and equip combat-ready naval forces capable of winning wars, deterring
aggression and maintaining freedom of the seas.
• Motto: “Semper Fortis” (Always Courageous)
• Core values:
• Honor• Courage• Commitment
Marine Corps- The Marine Corps is the most junior of the military branches. When there is a sudden emergency
situation, the Marines are trained to react very quickly and very accurately (“The First to Fight”). They can fight off
attackers on land and also at sea. The Marines are usually in charge of missions that are top secret or very difficult.
• Mission:
• The seizure or defense of advanced naval bases and other land operations to support naval
campaigns.
• The development of tactics, techniques, and equipment used by amphibious landing forces.
• Such other duties as the President may direct.
• Motto: “Semper Fidelis” (Always Faithful) operations to support
• Core values:
• Honor • Courage
• Commitment
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VA Boot Camp: Military Basics
11.24.14
Air Force- Created in 1947, the Air Force is the youngest military service. The main job of the Air Force is to protect
American citizens and territory from attacks in the air, in space, and even in cyberspace (the Internet).
• Mission: To deliver sovereign options for the defense of the United States of America and its global
interests to fly in air, space, and cyberspace.
• Motto: Above All
• Core values:
• Integrity
• Service Before Self
• Excellence in all we do
Coast Guard- The Coast Guard is the smallest of the five branches. Like the Navy, the Coast Guard operates at sea;
however, their primary purpose is to perform rescues and safety missions in the water. The Coast Guard also helps
to enforce laws at sea and safeguard our natural resources.
• Mission: To protect the public, the environment, and the United States economic and security interests in any maritime region in which those interests may be at risk, including international waters and
America’s coasts, ports, and inland waterways.
• Motto: “Semper Paratus” (Always Ready)
• Core values:
• Honor• Respect• Devotion to Duty
Demographics of Active U.S. Military
A look into the demographics of each military branch gives us some insight into the clients we are speaking with.
Here are some highlights with the full breakdowns as of November 2013 below:
• The Army is the largest branch, containing nearly 38% of the service members.
• The Coast Guard is the smallest at 2.9%.
• The Marine Corps is the most junior of the military branches, with 37% of members being between the ages of 18-21.
• The Air Force has the highest percentage of females enlisted at almost 20%.
• 99% of those in the Air Force have a Bachelor degree or higher.
Enlisted = Those who carry out the fundamental operations of the military
Officer = The leaders of the military
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VA Boot Camp: Military Basics
11.24.14
Major Military Holidays
Memorial Day
• Last Monday in May
• Memorial Day is dedicated to honoring and remembering the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military.
• History:
• Originated as “Decoration Day” to commemorate the Union and Confederate soldiers who died in the Civil War.
• After World War I, the day was dedicated to honoring those who died in all of America’s wars.
• Congress declared Memorial Day a federal holiday in 1971.
• On Memorial Day, the flag of the United States is raised briskly to the top of the staff and then solemnly lowered to the half-staff position, where it remains only until noon. It is then raised to full-staff for the remainder of the day. The half-staff position remembers the more than one million men and women who gave their lives in service of their country. At noon, their memory is raised by the living.
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VA Boot Camp: Military Basics
11.24.14
Veterans Day
• Always on November 11th
• Veterans Day is a celebration of the service of all U.S. military veterans.
• History:
• On November 11th, 1918, an armistice (a formal agreement of warring parties to stop fighting) was signed, bringing about an unofficial end to World War I.
• Veterans Day was originally titled “Armistice Day”, a day dedicated to honor only those who had served in World War I.
• President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the bill to expand “Armistice Day”into “Veterans Day”, a federal holiday to celebrate all veterans, in 1954.
Communicating with Veterans
Titles in the military- We should not call all service members “soldiers”. A soldier is one who fights as part of an
organized land-based armed force. Here are the terms for members of each military branch:
• Army – soldier
• Navy – sailor
• Marines – marine
• Air Force – airman
• Coast Guard – coast guardsman
Do’s and Dont’s
• Joining the military and serving, both during peace and in war, can have a profound impact on those who rotated
through the service. The divide between the military and civilians doesn’t end when someone leaves active duty or
the reserves. What can we do to help bridge the gap? Keep in mind these dos and don’ts, as described by a former
service member, when speaking with our veterans.
P Do:
Listen. For many veterans, their time in the military service can be a complex subject and only parts are open for
frank discussion. Instead of firing off a bunch of questions, listen to what a veteran volunteers to talk about.
Try to learn something. If you want to ask a veteran about their experiences, start by learning the lingo, geography,
and history of where they served; a little research goes a long way in building appreciation and respect.
Have an open mind. There are often misconceptions that people join the military to avoid jail, escape a broken
home, or to take advantage of education benefits. In reality, the reasons that men and women enlist are as varied
as the people who make up the armed forces.
O Don’t:
Be cavalier with questions. Questions such as “Did you kill anyone?”, “Do you have PTSD?” or “Do you regret
going there?” will make any veteran cringe. If a veteran wants to talk about those things, they will bring it up.
Talk Politics. Remember, the military remains under civilian control, and they decide when and where to go to war.
The job of the military is simply to execute.
Assume everyone is crippled with PTSD. While it is true that many veterans face challenges when they come
back home, we shouldn’t instantly believe post-traumatic stress happens to everyone. These misguided beliefs can
affect personal relationships and also adversely impact the ability for the veterans to find employment.
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