SOP 700: Basic Training: Foundations of Working with Service Members, Veterans and Families (SMVF)

This course covers the foundational information required of culturally responsive professionals to work effectively with Service Members, Veterans and their Families (SMVF). The course provides students with an understanding of military culture that includes the important military lexicon, branches, structure, rank system and rituals. The course employs a developmental framework when considering military family life that may include multiple deployments. The effects of war on service members and their families is examined and the important transition back to civilian life is covered. An overview of service-related injuries is included in this course including deployment-related trauma. The course introduces a number of SMVF content areas such as LGBT military members, sexual assault, suicide and suicide prevention, substance abuse and prevention, homelessness and family secondary trauma. A military immersion experience is a requirement of this course.