SOCIAL CONCERNS FOR PEACE SUPPORT OPERATIONS

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1 SOCIAL CONCERNS FOR PEACE SUPPORT OPERATIONS MAJOR ADRIAN D. VAN BREDA (M SOC SC, WITH DISTINCTION, UCT) & MAJOR HEINRICH POTGIETER (BA, POTCHEFSTROOM UNIVERSITY) Military Health Research Centre Military Psychological Institute Private Bag X02 Gezina 0031 South Africa Paper presented at the 34 th International Congress on Military Medicine, Sun City, South Africa, September Adrian Van Breda received his Masters Degree in Clinical Social Work with distinction from the University of Cape Town in He is currently reading for a Doctoral Degree in multicultural scale development in social work at the Rand Afrikaans University. He practised as a social worker in the SA Navy from He established and ran the Social Work Research & Development department of the Military Psychological Institute for five years and is now the head of the Military Health Research Centre of the South African National Defence Force. Heinrich Potgieter graduated from the Potchefstroom University with a BA Degree in Social Work in He has completed his dissertation towards his Masters Degree in Occupational Social Work at the University of the Witwatersrand. He was appointed head of the Social Work Research & Development department at the Military Psychological Institute in May Van Breda & Potgieter: Social Concerns for Peace Support Operations Page 1

2 SOCIAL CONCERNS FOR PEACE SUPPORT OPERATIONS MAJOR ADRIAN D. VAN BREDA & MAJOR HEINRICH POTGIETER Peace Support Operations (PSO) place unique demands on military members and their families. This paper presents the results of a study conducted in two infantry units in the South African National Defence Force. The sample comprised 739 soldiers (about half of the population) and 104 military wives. Action research techniques were used with small groups of respondents to collect information about the problems families experienced regarding PSOs and solutions families saw for these problems. The resultant problems were content analysed into 39 problem categories grouped in 14 themes. Key problems included difficulties in maintaining communication between families and soldiers during PSOs, concerns about the impact of PSOs on families and difficulties in managing family finances during PSOs. A set of 15 recommendations was derived from the study, all of which were accepted by the South African Defence Staff Council. The utilisation of the study by the SANDF during PSOs will be highlighted. Keywords: military social work, operations, deployment resilience INTRODUCTION Prior to 1999, South Africa did not have a history of peace support operations (PSO). It has only been over the past few years that this unique form of deployment has become the main activity of deploying soldiers in the South African National Defence Force (SANDF). Van Breda & Potgieter: Social Concerns for Peace Support Operations Page 2

3 Consequently, in the early months of 1999, the SANDF contracted with the Social Work Research & Development department of the Military Psychological Institute to investigate the social development needs of soldiers and families at two infantry units that were earmarked for cross-border PSO. The aim of this study was to address two key research questions, viz: What were the major problems experienced by soldiers and families as a result of PSO? What solutions did soldiers and families think might address these problems? This paper focuses on the key findings from the study and the consequent recommendations made to the Defence Staff Council of the SANDF. METHODOLOGY The study was conducted in the two units separately, at an interval of three months. The same methodology was used in both units. Although different teams of researchers collected the data, the senior author of this paper was responsible for coordinating and regulating the entire study, thereby ensuring standardised replication of the research method in both units. Data were collected from respondents either in groups of 6-30 people or through individual interviews. The group process of data collection lasted 4-6 hours and involved structured, group-based, participatory, problem-solving data collection techniques. Individual interviews, conducted only with wives at one of the units, lasted approximately one hour. The nominal group technique was used to address the first research question and a type of fish-bone technique to address the second question. Teams of researchers, including social workers, psychologists, nurses and unit members, collected the data. Van Breda & Potgieter: Social Concerns for Peace Support Operations Page 3

4 Substantial samples were studied at both units 456 soldiers comprising about 60% of the deployable force at one unit and 283 soldiers comprising about 40% of the deployable force at the other unit were involved. In addition, 64 wives at the one and 40 wives at the other unit were interviewed. The profile of these two groups is striking and is one of the consequences of the integration of various military forces into the SANDF since The average age of the sample is about 30 years, with 47% of respondents married and a further 46% in a steady relationship, 68% of respondents living with their partners, and 76% having children. This mature population of infantrymen has profound implications for their experience of PSO. Our respondents generated almost one thousand problem statements. Data were content analysed by a team of researchers. This process reduced the data to 39 problem categories, grouped under 14 themes. The nominal group technique ranking and other procedures were used to prioritise these problems in order of importance to the respondents. RESULTS The fourteen themes and 39 problem categories are listed below: Support to families Role of unit in supporting families Support to members from unit management Impact of separations on families Impact of separation on family system/relationships Impact of separation on roles and responsibilities Impact of separation on children Communication Van Breda & Potgieter: Social Concerns for Peace Support Operations Page 4

5 Contact with senior management Communication between member and family Finances Managing financial affairs Information about allowances Unfair deductions from allowances/salaries General concerns about allowances/salaries Diversity and power General misuse of power Racial concerns Lack of respect and understanding for culture Unfair visitation rights Funerals Notification of deaths Transportation to funerals Other concerns related to funerals Problems at home Transport home to deal with problems Criteria for going home to deal with problems Leave Wives access to transport Safety Family concerns about soldier s safety Soldier concerns about safety of family Soldiers concerns about own safety Family concerns about own safety Medical Medical support to families Medical support to soldiers Van Breda & Potgieter: Social Concerns for Peace Support Operations Page 5

6 Medical classifications Deployment Uncertainty about dates of deployment Briefing for deployments Contact with local communities Briefing of families about deployments Career Career issues Morale and well-being Food Logistics and facilities Leisure and recreation Sundry issues Sundry unit issues Management General management issues Although the problems cited by members of both units were similar, the prioritisation of the problems differed slightly. The following problems were identified among the five most salient in one or both of the two units: Difficulties in communication between families and soldiers during deployments, including the role of the unit or DOD in facilitating such communication. Concerns about the impact of deployments on the family system of relationships, on the roles and responsibilities of family members and on the children. Difficulties in managing finances from a distance, including the paying of accounts and the problems wives experience managing finances in the absence of their husbands. General concerns about how allowances and salaries are handled by the DOD. Van Breda & Potgieter: Social Concerns for Peace Support Operations Page 6

7 Unhappiness about some unit members (Whites and senior members) being allowed to visit or be visited by their families during deployments, while the rest are not allowed this. Fears and anxieties among people on short-term contracts about their employment security in the SANDF, particularly while deployed. Inadequate access to medical services for families of soldiers in rural areas. Concerns about the leave system that gives soldiers very little time with their families and limited opportunities to deal with family crises. RECOMMENDATIONS Based on the formulation and prioritisation of the social problems associated with PSO by soldiers and families, and also on the interesting and innovative solutions to these problems proposed by our respondents, we developed a set of 15 recommendations. Corporate Responsibility to Employees. Many soldiers experience the SANDF as being unaware of or unconcerned about the impact of military operations on the soldier and family systems. We recommended that the DOD take a principle decision that caring for and supporting families during deployments is a core organisational responsibility and the responsibility of each unit s management team. Support Networks. Support networks for families were found to be lacking. We recommended that units collaborate with families to develop meaningful support systems, drawing on military and community resources, and that the facilitation of these systems be incorporated into the unit s core business. Communication Systems. Access to communication systems during deployments is important to support the integrity of the family system. Such systems are particularly imperative when deployments are prolonged. Van Breda & Potgieter: Social Concerns for Peace Support Operations Page 7

8 We recommended that the DOD ensure such systems are easily and affordably available to soldiers and that the DOD encourage soldiers to maintain contact with their families. Resilient Family Systems. The family system is threatened by the prolonged absence of a family member. Families often need external assistance to shore up the system and ensure that it retains its integrity in the face of extended deployments. We recommended that unit social workers present our Deployment Resilience Seminar (1, 2), which is designed to protect families from the stress of deployments, and that similar interventions be designed for single soldiers and children. Managed Family Problems. One of the most significant concerns for soldiers during PSO is the family s well-being. Problems that arise during deployments tend to be experienced as overwhelming and can jeopardise the soldier s performance in the field. We recommended that a psychosocial policy on the management of family problems during PSO be formulated, and that a social screening process for soldiers be initiated prior to deployment. Secure Family Finances. Financial problems were found in this study to be significant, as in most other studies of this nature. South African men often want to retain financial control, even when deployed in another country. We recommended that unit commanders facilitate a partial handing over of financial control to families before deployments, in such a way that the soldier s sense of authority and control is not undermined, and that families should be trained in managing family finances. Transparent Deployment Allowances. Soldiers were suspicious of how their finances were managed by the DOD. They consequently perceived their commanders to be untrustworthy, which has the potential to undermine military discipline and mission readiness. Van Breda & Potgieter: Social Concerns for Peace Support Operations Page 8

9 We recommended that personnel functionaries provide transparent information on the matter of deployment allowances directly to soldiers and take responsibility for errors or inconsistencies in the application of these allowances. Respect for Cultural Diversity & Power. Many soldiers believed that discrimination, on the grounds of race and rank, is still prevalent in the DOD and that this undermines military discipline and mission readiness. We recommended that a neutral body investigate these concerns and that education on respect for cultural diversity be implemented in these units. Funeral Arrangements. One aspect of respect for culture is African traditions concerning funerals. DOD policy is based on Western tradition and does not accommodate other traditions. We recommended that the DOD review and revise its policy on funerals. Medical Support. Military families often live in isolated rural areas, far from military bases with medical services. Wives are concerned about their husband s sexual behaviour during deployments, particularly homosexual behaviour and the risk of HIV. We recommended that the SA Military Health Service explore creative ways to ensure a comprehensive health service to isolated families and that soldiers receive education and condoms before and during PSO. Predeployment Information. The resilience of military families to deployments is contingent on having timely access to information before the PSO begins. We recommended that information about a pending PSO be provided at least two weeks prior to the deployment and that unit commanders be held responsible for ensuring that such information reaches military families. Leave. In light of the demographic profile of infantrymen, there is a tremendous need for adequate leave. Given that many families live far from the base, leave must be long enough to allow soldiers to reach their homes (often a day or two travelling in both directions). Van Breda & Potgieter: Social Concerns for Peace Support Operations Page 9

10 We recommended that the capacity of the current leave system to compensate soldiers and families for prolonged absences be investigated. Career Issues. Uncertainty about job security and career paths reduces morale and loyalty, and impairs job performance. We recommended that these issues be addressed and that soldiers be assured of a career path. Morale & Well-being. Soldiers express concerns about the food, recreation and accommodation facilities during PSO. These factors are considered basic hygiene factors that are necessary for effective coping during PSO. We recommended that all stakeholders ensure these basic needs of soldiers. People Management. Senior managers in the study expressed concern about their ability to manage people, specifically a culturally diverse workforce and employees with personal problems. We recommended that managers be provided with training not only in the management of military operations, but also in the management of people. STUDY OUTCOMES A number of changes in the SANDF have taken place since the Defence Staff Council accepted these recommendations in late The changes may, at least in part, be attributed to the study. These changes include the following: Several of the recommendations have been incorporated in the policies of the Chief of Joint Operations and have been channelled down to unit commander level. The term resilience can now be found in several Joint Operations documents. An SANDF-level resilience workgroup was established to address the issues of family and soldier resilience during deployments. This workgroup, chaired by Brig Gen Motumi of the Directorate Social Work, has recently become an advisory committee to the Defence Staff Council. Van Breda & Potgieter: Social Concerns for Peace Support Operations Page 10

11 Since 2000, soldiers are being socially assessed prior to deployment on a PSO. Soldiers who exhibit family or social problems, or who lack deployment resilience, are referred for social work intervention prior to being deployed. Social workers are now being deployed during PSO to facilitate the soldier-family interface and to manage family problems during deployments. A follow-up study into how soldiers experience time during PSO was requested of the Military Health Research Centre by the resilience workgroup and is partially completed. The Directorate Social Work has developed several new interventions that aim to prepare soldiers and families for deployment. Some of these are run at unit level prior to mobilisation, while others are presented during mobilisation just before deployment. CONCLUSION Peace Support Operations introduce unique stressors to soldiers and families. This study aimed to identify the social impact of these stressors and to propose recommendations to the military community to reduce this impact. Based on action research processes in two infantry units, we were able to identify a broad range of social problems. Many of these problems confirmed the findings of similar studies in other military units, both in South Africa and abroad. Drawing on the insights of families and soldiers regarding how to address these problems, we generated a set of 15 recommendations, all of which were accepted by the South African Defence Staff Council. Over the past two and a half years, we have seen several of these recommendations being implemented in policy, procedure or programme. It is extremely gratifying to see the SANDF take seriously the results of such research and the soft needs of military families. Van Breda & Potgieter: Social Concerns for Peace Support Operations Page 11

12 Although there are still many problems associated with PSO that need to be addressed, the current study serves as a baseline and benchmark against which to measure our progress. REFERENCES 1. Van Breda A. D. Deployment Resilience Seminar. South African Military Health Service, Military Psychological Institute, Social Work Research & Development: Pretoria, South Africa; Van Breda A. D. Developing resilience to routine separations: An occupational social work intervention. Families in Society. 80 (6) 1999: Van Breda & Potgieter: Social Concerns for Peace Support Operations Page 12