In Line for Takeoff…and Waiting: Challenges with Getting a Wellness Intervention Started in the Military

Abstract

Due to increased military efforts over the last decade, a multitude of wellness challenges have hit the home front within the military (Allen, Armed Forces J, May 2011; Griffith, Suicide Life Threat Behav 42:453–469, 2012). Both military personnel and civilian employees have experienced an increase in workload, overtime worked and stricter policies within the workplace, all culminating in a tremendous amount of operational demands and employee strain during this time. In addition, a recent APA assessment of military health barriers indicate that there is growing concern of the availability, acceptability and accessibility of mental health resources (Johnson et al., The psychological needs of US military service members and their families: a preliminary report. American Psychological Association Presidential Task Force on Military Deployment Services for Youth, Families and Service Members, 2007). Indicators of these issues were being reported on several Air Force (AF) bases and a team of researchers was called upon to determine specific stressors and possible solutions to alleviate the issues. Many interviews, observations, and focus groups were conducted and resulted in the identification of a wellness intervention strategy to improve morale and workplace conditions; however, the intervention was not implemented. This chapter discusses present strategies for overcoming leadership challenges in a military environment. Most importantly, how to work with leadership to help them understand their role and impact in the intervention, as well as, the importance of having an appropriate infrastructure in place to facilitate implementation of the intervention and greatly impact employee morale and well-being.