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WRAIR Land Combat Study Team 

(301) 319-9607 

The opinions and views expressed here are those of the Land Combat Study Team, 

and do not necessarily reflect those of the U.S. Army or the Department of Defense. 

Updated 19 JAN 07. 

www.battlemind.org 

DENIAL OF SELF (SELF ENIAL OF SELF (SELF ENIAL OF SELF (SELF-SACRIFICE) SACRIFICE) SACRIFICE)

In Combat, Soldiers: Literally put their lives on the line for their 

fellow Soldiers in service of their country.

At home, Spouses: Often sacrificed their own needs and desires 

(careers, educational goals, proximity to family and friends, etc.) by placing their needs last. 

Potential Concerns: Both Spouses and Soldiers may feel that they 

have sacrificed a lot and are not being fully appreciated. 

ACTIONS SPOUSES CAN TAKE: Tell your Soldier you 

appreciate their sacrifice and that you know that being a Soldier is difficult. 

ACTIONS SOLDIERS CAN TAKE: Be aware that you are not 

the only one making sacrifices. Show your Spouses how much you appreciate their hard work and encourage them to pursue their own interests. 

CUES FOR HELP

If any of the following are severe, persistent or 

interfering with daily life: 

Spouses: Feeling depressed, down, angry, tense, irritable, hopeless or resentful; Repeated crying episodes, sleep problems or appetite changes; Using medications, illegal drugs or alcohol to cope; Taking out frustrations on others; Suicidal or homicidal thinking, intent or actions; Isolation or withdrawal from important relationships and activities; Family, coworkers or friends tell you that you need help. Soldiers: Strong memories, nightmares or other sleep problems, easily startled; Conflict, arguing, anger or hostility; Aggressive driving; Excessive use of alcohol or other substances; Performance problems at work or home; Distant from family, talking of divorce/separation unwanted by Spouse; Feeling down, unable to enjoy life, not making future plans; Suicidal or homicidal thinking, intent or actions; Family, NCOs, or friends tell you that you need help. 

Changes in normal behavior and persistent problems: 

Children: Irritability; Problems controlling temper, fights, hitting/biting/kicking; Attention problems; Withdrawal, sadness; Academic problems; School personnel, friends or others tell you your child needs help. 

MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES ESOURCES

• Military or Civilian Religious Personnel • Mental/Behavioral Health Services • Army Community Services (ACS) • Social Work Services (SWS) • Family Advocacy Program (FAP) • Child Youth Services (CYS) • New Parent Support Program (NPSP) • School Counselors 

Army/Military One Source: 1-800-342-9647 

www.militaryonesource.com

Walter Reed Ar

MENTAL HEALTH AND READINESS ENTAL HEALTH AND READINESS ENTAL HEALTH AND READINESS

In Combat, Soldiers: Were constantly alert, revved-up, 

aggressive when necessary, and may have worked long hours. 

At home, Spouses: Maintained individual and family mental 

well-being. 

Potential Concerns: Soldiers may display behaviors that cause 

Spouses or children to worry, including inappropriate anger, difficulty sleeping (including nightmares), startling easily, and excessive drinking. Soldiers who need help may not seek it. Spouses and children who need mental health services may have difficulty accessing care. 

ACTIONS SPOUSES CAN TAKE: Behaviors that are 

causing problems in your family need to be addressed. Realize that you might not be the person the Soldier will accept help from. Know what mental health resources are available for you and your family. 

ACTIONS SOLDIERS CAN TAKE: Recognize changes in 

yourself that might be signs you should get help; seek assistance if you need it. Accept help from others, including your Spouse. Avoid pushing away or lashing out at those who try to help you. Don’t attempt to avoid or treat problems with alcohol or drugs.

INDEPENDENCE NDEPENDENCE NDEPENDENCE

In Combat, Soldiers: Made decisions that revolved around 

their deployment duties and were less available to participate in household decisions. 

At home, Spouses: Functioned alone or as a single parent by 

making household decisions with less input from Soldiers. 

Potential Concerns: Soldiers may want to change household 

decisions that were made during the deployment. Spouses may feel they need to give up doing things they enjoyed during the deployment, which may lead to resentment. Soldiers may feel left out or excluded due to Spouses’ increased independence. 

ACTIONS SPOUSES CAN TAKE: Don’t assume life will 

be as it was before or during the deployment. Take into account your Soldier’s preference about how the house is run. Be willing to compromise. 

ACTIONS SOLDIERS CAN TAKE: Respect and 

appreciate your Spouse’s decisions that were made during the deployment. Your home life will likely be different than it was before you deployed. Don’t fix what’s working; ask how you can help. 

NAVIGATING THE ARMY SYSTEM AVIGATING THE ARMY SYSTEM AVIGATING THE ARMY SYSTEM

In Combat, Soldiers: Followed rules and regulations. At home, Spouses: Navigated the Army environment, using the 

available resources in order to better integrate into the military community. 

Potential Concerns: Spouses may be angry and resentful for 

having to deal with a complicated, bureaucratic organization (e.g., TRICARE, DEERS) while Soldiers were gone.

ACTIONS SPOUSES CAN TAKE: Continue learning the 

Army system by asking questions. Be patient, it takes time. Recognize that you need to maintain the skills you obtained for future deployments and separations. 

ACTIONS SOLDIERS CAN TAKE: Share all information 

you have about Army services with your Spouses. Recognize that it can be difficult to navigate the Army system; help your Spouse with the navigation. 

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BUDDIES (SOCIAL SUPPORT) UDDIES (SOCIAL SUPPORT) UDDIES (SOCIAL SUPPORT)

In Combat, Soldiers: Often made strong ties with their fellow 

Soldiers. 

At home, Spouses: May have developed new friends, strengthened 

existing friendships, became more involved in the Army community and participated in new activities. Some Spouses may have returned home to their families during the deployment. 

Potential Concerns: Soldiers may want to spend more time with 

their buddies than their Spouses. The fact that Spouses’ new friends, strengthened friendships and new activities were developed without Soldiers may feel threatening to them. 

ACTIONS SPOUSES CAN TAKE: Talk with your Soldier 

about how to balance time spent between family and friends. Introduce new friends to your Soldier; don’t hide new friendships or activities. 

ACTIONS SOLDIERS CAN TAKE: Talk with your Spouse 

about how to balance time spent between your family and buddies. Respect, and if possible, become involved in, your Spouse’s friendships and new interests. Appreciate those who helped your spouse in your absence.

ADDING/SUBTRACTING FAMILY ROLES DDING/SUBTRACTING FAMILY ROLES DDING/SUBTRACTING FAMILY ROLES

In Combat, Soldiers: Were removed from the daily lives of their 

families and missed family events (e.g., anniversaries, births, graduations, birthdays, sporting events, etc.). 

At home, Spouses: Performed roles that might otherwise be 

shared. 

Potential Concerns: Spouses and Soldiers may resist resuming and 

sharing roles. Children may resist Soldiers’ return to authority. Soldiers may feel left out and fail to actively participate in family roles. 

ACTIONS SPOUSES CAN TAKE: Help your Soldier resume 

family roles, despite possible resistance from your kids. Share day-to-day decisions and responsibilities upon reunion. 

ACTIONS SOLDIERS CAN TAKE: Upon your return, resume 

an active role, but don’t force it too much, too soon. Don’t let changes in roles and/or responsibilities cause you to withdraw from the family. Understand that your Spouse may need a break. 

TAKING CONTROL AKING CONTROL AKING CONTROL

In Combat, Soldiers: Maintained strict control of their weapons 

and gear in order to survive and were not in control of what was going on at home. 

At home, Spouses: Were the head of the household. Potential Concerns: Soldiers may have an increased need for order 

and control upon return. Spouses and Soldiers may have different priorities for the family’s time and money. Soldiers may feel treat the household as a military unit. 

ACTIONS SPOUSES CAN TAKE: Renegotiate priorities and 

incorporate those of your Soldier. Recognize your Soldier’s need for order and control may be due in part to his/her deployment experiences. 

ACTIONS SOLDIERS CAN TAKE: Respect and appreciate 

how your Spouse managed the household during your deployment. Be flexible and avoid treating family members like subordinates. Let go of the little things. If you have children, understand that they tend to like routine and predictability. 

Spouse Battlemind Spouse Battlemind Spouse Battlemind is the Spouse’s 

ability to face deployments with 

resilience and strength, allowing easier 

separations and smoother reunions. 

Key components include: 

• Independence: the capability of having 

a fulfilling and meaningful life as part of an Army Centric Family.

• Resiliency: the ability to overcome 

setbacks and obstacles and to maintain positive thoughts during times of adversity.

The effects of deployments The effects of deployments The effects of deployments 

on families can: on families can: on families can:

• Vary amongst family members. • Have a positive impact and bring you 

closer together. 

• Introduce issues that may affect your or 

your family’s well being. 

Spouse Battlemind skills Spouse Battlemind skills Spouse Battlemind skills 

increase your and your family’s increase your and your family’s increase your and your family’s 

resiliency throughout the resiliency throughout the resiliency throughout the 

military deployment cycle military deployment cycle

Buddies (Social Support) 

Adding/Subtracting Family Roles Taking Control Talking it Out Loyalty and Commitment Emotional Balance Mental Health and Readiness Independence Navigating the Army System Denial of Self (Self-Sacrifice)