National Center for Technology and Dispute Resolution

Since 9/11, the US military force has undergone a number of staggering changes. Just one is that National Guard and Reserve service members (SMs) make up about 50% of the fighting force. These SMs (over 80,000) and their families are not living on military installations but in civilian communities. They have been facing and continue to face repeated deployments. While the duration and frequency of the deployments generally differs by branch of the service (ranging from Army Guard with six months of training prior to every twelve months of deployment repeated with year-long breaks to one month of training for every three months of deployment for Air Force Reserves), all are impacted, both SMs and family members. Because they do not live in proximity to other SMs or their families, they do not have the support and information, during and after their deployments, which their installation-based colleagues do.

The government has passed legislation referred to as Yellow Ribbon to promote re-integration of these SMs with their families and communities during and between deployments. While the Yellow Ribbon legislation reads as if it aims to include community members as part of the network supporting the SMs and families, the reality is that it is difficult for the military to provide community support.

Communities must step up and do that on their own. Numerous individuals (i.e. http://www.veteransfamiliesunited.org) and professional groups (i.e., lawyers at http://www.nvlsp.org, private therapists at http://www.giveanhour.org) have stepped forward to offer services at no charge to SMs and their families.

What can we as conflict engagement professionals do to be of assistance to our Citizen Soldiers and their families? How can technology help us? What part of it can we do online? Let’s brainstorm together about this important topic during Cyberweek. I look forward to seeing your comments.

Lynn Malley

Let me start off by mentioning that I was aware that soldiers in the army (regardless of where they’re from) went through training, but I had no idea that they went through conflict theory, communication, and practical training, as well. Now that I think of it, it makes perfect sense that soldiers would train in these areas, since it allows them to resolve disputes and negotiate more efficiently and effectively. The more training soldiers have the more effect they have in reviving Afghanistan.

I completely agree with the statement “It is one thing to ‘know’ what good communication entails; it is quite another thing to be a good communicator.” Many people I know (myself included) believe that they are phenomenal communicators, but now that I think of it, I really don’t know any other language except for English, and neither do they. Yeah, this is useful in the United States and a number of other English-speaking countries, but if I were tossed into a foreign-speaking country, I would be lost. And language isn’t even the bulk of it. A soldier could speak Pashtu, the dominant language in Afghanistan, fluently, but if he/she does not understand Afghani culture, he/she would be lost, as well. Studying culture can be just as beneficial I feel.

Soldiers training in conflict resolution have a big advantage over those who do not get this opportunity. By continuing this training, soldiers all over the globe will not be viewed as bullies forcing a certain way in a country, but rather citizens caring enough to respect the culture and traditions of change in a nation.

Hi everyone,

In my last post I failed to mention that I am currently in a legal class with Professor Aresty at UMass Amherst. As a class, he told us to get involved with Cyberweek, and to post on discussion forms. I just noticed that everyone was having a nice conversation and then I just butt in without saying anything about myself and why I am posting on here. Basically, I found this article interesting and decided read it. Part of me was surprised that they are using ODR in the army, while the other part was not as surprised. The more training soldiers have, especially when dealing with negotiations and communication, the better off they will be in war zones.

Let me apologize for any inconvenience I’ve put any of you through, and have fun with the rest of Cyberweek!

- Andrew

Greetings, All,

The article that Major Brad Coates of the Canadian Forces posted for us was about teaching a small number of the Canadian Forces a four day class in Interest-based Negotiation Skills. The class was taught face-to-face before deployment to a combat area. In the article, he refers to ODR, but the definition is quite different and not related to online work.

I am curious about whether such online training could really work, what the pros and cons are of doing the training online or face-to-face. What do you think?

I am also curious about whether any of our US forces get such training. The only thing that I am aware of is a recent class addtion within the War College on Peacemaking. Anyone know anything more?

Looking forward to hearing your thoughts, even when Cyberweek is over.

Lynn Malley
lynn.malley@mediate.com

Hi Lynn,

I’m glad to see that the study did have positive results in regard to those families involved as well. Keep me posted as this develops into a reality in the United States.

Cheryl