Training to the Warrier Ethos: Implications for Clinicians Treating Military Members and their Families

Understanding military culture and how an individual is socialized into this culture provides clinicians with a better understanding of that individual's worldview and the difficulties he or she will encounter when returning to civilian society. This chapter presents a cultural model for viewing the military and an overview of how this culture is instilled and reinforced among its members. Before proceeding, it should be stated that, as with all cultural conceptualizations, these are generalizations and may or may not apply to the individual service member. This discussion, however, will provide a starting point for providers eager to gain a better understanding of their patients.