By David Sutton<\/span><\/p>\n

VETERAN HELP NET<\/span><\/p>\n

CORRESPONDENT<\/span><\/p>\n

Anna Salviejo-Meyers is married to Navy Senior Chief Joseph Meyers, has 4 teenage children, works as a Utilization and Care\u00a0 Program Manager for\u00a0 Community Health Association of Spokane (CHAS) , holds a BA in psychology from Eastern Washington University and a Master\u2019s Degree\u00a0 from Gonzaga University.<\/span><\/p>\n

And she is also a volunteer Navy ombudsman.<\/span><\/p>\n

What is an ombudsman?<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe are negotiators and representatives,\u201d she began.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe best way Is to explain what we do. We are advocates, someone who is available to act on behalf of another person in order to develop or uncover a positive benefit. We are supporters and act as a communication link between the Commanding Officer and his\/her command families,\u201d she explained.<\/span><\/p>\n

One of the most needed support areas offered for Navy wives is when their husbands are deployed.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe wife will usually experience feelings and situations she may have never experienced, \u201dSalviejo-Meyers said. \u201cIn reality, the bottom line, after all the help, is that the wives have to figure it out. By that I mean every time is different.\u00a0 There are Navy policies, orders, traditions and a lot more.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ombudsmen are professionally trained information and referral specialist for military families.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span> That job description fits right in with her leadership studies at Gonzaga where she specialized in servant leadership for her master\u2019s degree in Leadership.<\/span><\/p>\n

It is important to know that ombudsmen are available in all the military branches.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

(<\/span>At Joint Bases Lewis and McChord near Tacoma, the Army is involved with deployed soldiers\u2019 families, which includes training for wives who are struggling with the separation of their deployed soldier\/husbands. An Army representative can be contacted by calling (253) 967-1110 and asking to be connected to Family Living.)<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Salviejo-Meyers noted that all Family Service ombudsmen programs are developed and organized by order of the Department of Defense (DOD). Each program is then ordered and supported locally by the unit Commander at each facility. A military facility may have more than one ombudsman since the endorsements are those of individual units.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThere is a range of emotional and psychological feelings that surface when wives learn that they are going to be separated from their husbands for an extended period of time,\u201d Salviejo-Meyers said.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

There are 7 stages of thoughts and feelings that are focal points in the training of ombudsmen. Armed with their training skills, ombudsmen are available for support to wives of deployed military personnel.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Most of the guidance is new to wives who are experiencing separation for the first time. In some cases, \u201cveteran\u201d service wives whose husbands have been deployed multiple times in their career, can cope with the change but need added support indeed. The Navy ombudsman added that sometimes the older wives will be supportive by just being present at the training.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe Anticipation and Departure stage can be the most impacting for young wives,\u201d Salviejo-Meyers explained. She guessed that you never get used to it. You just learn to deal with it!<\/span><\/p>\n

This phase of the training begins about 6 weeks before deployment. Usually, it is a time of tension and conflict.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCouples may feel denial and anticipation of loss,\u201d she noted. \u201cThere may be periods of arguing and conflict as the couple prepare for separation.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The most difficult stage is Detachment and Withdrawal where the husband and wife psychologically separate themselves from each other.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThey are apt to keep their thinking to themselves,\u201d she said.<\/span><\/p>\n

Emotions begin to run high.<\/span><\/p>\n

It is not uncommon for the wives to cry out, \u201cIf you have to go\u2026then go!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Likewise, it is not uncommon for the deployed husband\/Sailor to say, \u201cLet\u2019s get on with it!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhen reality sets in, the Navy wife may feel some relief combined with a small portion of guilt,\u201d the ombudsman said. The total responsibility for family affairs may cause restlessness, depression, or disorganization. In that third phase of support training the question often arises, \u201cWhen will I ever get used to this?\u201d or \u201cWill I ever get used to settling into a routine life without my spouse?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAs time goes on,\u201d Salviejo-Meyers said, \u201cUsually 6 to 8 weeks into deployment, the wives begin to Recover and Stabilize. There is a feeling of freedom and independence along with more confidence.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

As the deployment term lessens there is a feel of Anticipated Return. Usually about 4 to 6 weeks before the termination of the deployment, there is excitement as the thought of being together again reigns in the air.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt is common for the wife to have thoughts of guilt in that she did not do everything perfectly right or did not do things the way her husband would\u2019ve wanted it,\u201d she said. \u201cThis is an adjustment period as both partners strive to be a couple again.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span> \u201cBoth the wife and the husband MUST adjust their roles of responsibilities; the marriage cannot and will not be exactly as it was before the deployment. Each partner has had new experiences and has grown in different ways; these changes MUST be accommodated. Being aware of each other\u2019s needs is <\/span>crucial<\/i><\/b> at<\/b> this point,\u201d the councilor emphasized.<\/span><\/p>\n

Each element of the support and training cycle is important. They will most likely lead to the Reintegration and Stabilization stage. Here things are a little more relaxed. This stage can take up to 6 months to complete after a Sailor returns home. It is where everyone gets connected again and feels more like a couple and a family.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A volunteer ombudsman is almost hidden in plain sight. He\/she will go about business in relative quietness. They are there to support and train wives of Navy warriors who sacrifice to serve.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSometimes we need to be sought out. The Navy (and all the services) and volunteer workers have done an exceptional job of the task, and make up a team of committed and caring partners,\u00a0 \u201d she humbly announced.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Anna Salviejo-Meyers graciously works very hard as a part of that team.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Well done faithful servants, well done!<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

United States Air Force can be connected by calling Fairchild Air Force Base (509) 247-1212 and asking for the 92nd Air Refueling Wing Family Readiness Group where Capt. Teri Bunce is the Wing Public Information Officer or email her at teri.bunce@us.af.mil<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

<\/a>
\nOmbudsman Anna Salviejo-Meyers with her husband Senior Chief Joseph Meyers<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By David Sutton VETERAN HELP NET CORRESPONDENT Anna Salviejo-Meyers is married to Navy Senior Chief Joseph Meyers, has 4 teenage children, works as a Utilization and Care\u00a0 Program Manager for\u00a0 Community Health Association of Spokane (CHAS) , holds a BA in psychology from Eastern Washington University and a Master\u2019s Degree\u00a0 from Gonzaga University. And she […]\n","protected":false},"author":838,"featured_media":3419,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[18],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/veteranshelpnet.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3417"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/veteranshelpnet.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/veteranshelpnet.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/veteranshelpnet.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/838"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/veteranshelpnet.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3417"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/veteranshelpnet.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3417\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3420,"href":"https:\/\/veteranshelpnet.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3417\/revisions\/3420"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/veteranshelpnet.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3419"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/veteranshelpnet.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3417"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/veteranshelpnet.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3417"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/veteranshelpnet.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3417"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}