Military Psychology Podcast

Join renowned veteran and bestselling author, Lt. Col. Grossman, for an in-depth conversation exploring the critical role sleep plays in mental health, recovery, performance, and overall wellbeing. Especially for service members and veterans navigating high operational demands and life transitions. As well as the importance of reframing trauma through the lens of post-traumatic growth to a new generation, challenging the traditional narratives around PTSD while exploring the human capacity for resilience and transformation. The episode also dives into the body’s response to combat and chronic stress, helping listeners to better understand how experiences in service can continue to influence both mind and body long after deployment ends.

Beyond clinical care and research, the conversation does not shy away from some of humanity’s oldest and most difficult questions. Rather, the episode examines how psychologists navigate conversations surrounding meaning, purpose, suffering, and questions that exist beyond easy answers, highlighting the role of psychology in helping individuals explore these questions, build personal meaning, and find direction amid uncertainty and profound life experiences.

Additionally, Lt. Col. Grossman shares a deep personal topic close to his heart: the extraordinary impact of service dogs and the bond between veterans and their canine companions in healing, support, and everyday life.

And for longtime readers, there’s an exciting surprise! A first look at an upcoming fiction book series release that offers a new chapter in military storytelling beyond Lt. Col. Grossman’s celebrated nonfiction work.

You can find Lt. Col. Grossman here: https://grossmanontruth.com/ https://www.instagram.com/grossmanontruth/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/lt-col-dave-grossman-55a3304/

Want to get connected with our team or guests? Have feedback, suggestions, or recommendations? Send us an email at milpyschpodcast@gmail.com

In this compelling episode, we sit down with veteran and author, LTC Lanny Snodgrass MD, to discuss his groundbreaking book, The Ageless Call to Serve,where he explores the belief that service to country, community, and others does not end with age. Drawing from decades of experience, he explores the value older service members bring to the military through mentorship, emotional intelligence, leadership, and hard-earned wisdom that cannot be taught in a classroom.

The conversation takes a deeper look at the brain maturation of younger service members and the responsibility military leaders have to protect and guide them through critical stages of growth and decision-making. From neuroscience and maturity to resilience and morality, this episode examines how the military can better safeguard the well-being of its youngest troops.

Together, the discussion bridges generations of service, highlighting how strength in today’s military comes not only from physical ability, but from experience, understanding, and the willingness to invest in those who will carry the mission forward.

Find The Ageless Call to Serve: Rethinking Military Service for a Changing Worldat https://a.co/d/0cob0Mqp

Want to get connected with our team or guests? Have feedback, suggestions, or recommendations? Send us an email at milpyschpodcast@gmail.com

In this episode, Army psychologists MAJ Gaines and MAJ Walls, share how being a military psychologist is changing the landscape of psychology through innovative fellowships, immersive training experiences, and leadership opportunities unlike anything found in traditional civilian careers. From applied work with service members in high pressure environments to specialized training that accelerates professional growth, they discuss how the Army develops psychologists into adaptable clinicians, researchers, advisors, and leaders.

The discourse also explores how Army psychologists support mental readiness, contribute to national defense, and shape the future of behavioral health care across the military and beyond. Whether you are interested in psychology, military service, or leadership development, this episode offers an inside look at a career path built on purpose, innovation, and impact.

You can contact MAJ Gaines at https://www.linkedin.com/in/aprilgainesphd or Draprilconsults@gmail.com

You can contact MAJ Walls at https://www.linkedin.com/in/contessatwalls/ or contessatwalls13@gmail.com

Want to get connected with our team or guests? Have feedback, suggestions, or recommendations? Send us an email at milpyschpodcast@gmail.com

In this episode, we sit down with Army Veteran, Marissa Snowden, whose journey didn't end at retirement-it evolved into a mission to better understand the psychological realities of military life. After leaving active duty, she has pursued graduate studies with a strong focus on research. Drawing from both personal experience and academic expertise, she shares how her time in uniform shaped the questions that now drive her work.

The conversation explores her development of a unique measurement model designed to better assess the mental and emotional impacts of military service. She discusses key research areas, including how deployment influences life after service, as well as the often overlooked roles of autism and depression in veteran reintegration. With a blend of lived insight and scientific rigor, this episode offers a thoughtful look at the challenges veterans face, and the innovative ways research is helping to address them.

Featured Links:

You can contact Marissa Snowden via Linkedin at https://www.linkedin.com/in/marissa-snowden-9548132b6/?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_profile_view_base_contact_details%3ByQb4MGlDRaKB0GSXE%2Bf8Lw%3D%3D

Want to get connected with our team or guests? Have feedback, suggestions, or recommendations? Send us an email at milpsychpodcast@gmail.com

In this episode, we sit down with members of the California National Guard to talk about what makes the guard unique, the wide range of missions they support, and how they are taking new approaches to support the mental health of service members and their families. LTC Harris and MAJ Burns offer a behind-the-scenes look at the people, missions, and support systems that make the California National Guard a vital part of both national defense and local community response.

Featured Links:

You can find the California Military Department app in your preferred app store.

Want to get connected with our team or guests? Have feedback, suggestions, or recommendations? Send us an email at milpsychpodcast@gmail.com

Successful decrease in the stigma toward mental health services has led to an increase in the number of Service Members seeking care, resulting in challenges to military mental health providers and systems in meeting the increased demand. In this episode, Dr. Ethan Bannar sits down with Colonel Elisha Parkhill Pippin, Director of Psychological Health for the United States Air Force, to discuss her 2024 article in the Air Force Times and her recommendations for balancing evidence-based practice with satisfaction-based medicine. Together they explore the current difficulties faced by providers, the impact of homegrown/unit-based efforts to meet the increasing needs of the force, and discuss ways that providers can utilize available resources to better serve the populace. Tune in to hear more about the Air Force Targeted Care Initiative and Mental Health Strategic Initiatives Group, aiming to change the culture surrounding evidence-based practice in our Armed Forces!

Col. Pippin can be reached at elisha.p.pippin.mil@health.mil, and her article can be found here: https://www.airforcetimes.com/opinion/2024/05/20/mental-health-professionals-overlooked-in-air-forces-resilience-push/

Want to get connected with our team or guests? Have feedback, suggestions, or recommendations? Send us an email at milpsychpodcast@gmail.com

One of the biggest limitations in Disaster Mental Health (DMH) training has always been the difficulty in replicating high intensity environments within a structured training space. In this episode, Dr. Jeremy Jinkerson sits down with Dr. Ryan Landoll, former Chief of the Behavioral Health Optimization Program of the United States Air Force who now serves as Assistant Dean for Preclinical Sciences at Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences. Together they explore the limitations of standard mental health training models for military DMH and the importance of scalable training programs that can offer practical experience without the risks of a war zone. If you're interested in learning more about trauma-based simulation, the role of trauma familiarization, patient flow management, and psychological first aid in Disaster Mental Health, or the role that Generative AI can play in DMH training, this episode is for you!

Dr. Landoll can be reached at ryan.landoll@usuhs.edu

Want to get connected with our team or guests? Have feedback, suggestions, or recommendations? Send us an email at milpsychpodcast@gmail.com

Selecting a career path is a daunting task. Whether we are helping new recruits to choose their first MOS, counseling current subordinates looking to make a switch, or helping our peers who are transitioning back to civilian life, the role of psychology in these decisions is significant. Please join Dr. Jeremy Jinkerson as he sits down with Dr. Brianna Werner to discuss Vocational Psychology and the role it plays in these critical conversations!

Want to get connected with our team or guests? Have feedback, suggestions, or recommendations? Send us an email at milpsychpodcast@gmail.com

In a large system like the United States Air Force, finding suitable candidates for some of the most high speed positions can be an intense balancing act. Join us this month as Dr. Ethan Bannar sits down with Lt Col Emily Grieser, an Air Force Assessment & Selection psychologist, to discuss the ins and outs of her experience providing this critical service, the training experiences that prepared her for success, and potential future directions for this field. If you are interested in the process to become an A&S psychologist or just want to learn more about how these decisions get made, be sure to tune in to this month’s episode!

Lt Col Grieser can be reached at emily.grieser.1@us.af.mil 

Want to get connected with our team or guests? Have feedback, suggestions, or recommendations? Send us an email at milpsychpodcast@gmail.com

In a world where suicide in our Armed Forces continues to persist, how we respond to this ever-evolving crisis is imperative. In this episode, Dr. Jinkerson sits down with Lt Col (Dr.) Chris Button and Dr. Ian Stanley, two of the nation's experts in assessing and preventing suicide. Lt Col Button is currently serving as the Suicide Prevention Program Manager for the Department of the Air Force, while Dr. Stanley currently works as the Psychological Health Lead at the Colorado University Center for Combat Research, both of them focus on preventing suicide in Service Members. From research on factors leading to suicide to lethal means safety, the suicide prevention landscape continues to evolve. Want to learn more about this mission critical topic? This is the episode for you!

Dr. Stanley can be reached by email at ian.stanley@cuanschutz.edu

Lt Col Button can be reached by email at christopher.button.2@us.af.mil

Want to get connected with our team or guests? Have feedback, suggestions, or recommendations? Send us an email at milpsychpodcast@gmail.com

Do you have a hard time getting patients to stick with trauma-focused treatments? Do you or your patients ever wish you could escape reality and spend some time as someone new? In this episode, Dr. Jinkerson sits down with the Military Psychology Podcast’s own Dr. Brooke Long to discuss the use of the popular tabletop role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons as a treatment modality for PTSD. Outside of her roles in editing and producing for the podcast, Dr. Long is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Certified Clinical Trauma Professional, and Clinical Supervisor at the Road Home Program in Chicago, IL, where she developed and runs a novel D&D psychotherapy group dubbed “Roll for Healing” (a punny wordplay on the D&D phrase “roll for initiative”) focused on treating Veterans and Active Duty suffering from PTSD and other invisible wounds of service. From exposure therapy to social skills training, cognitive defusion to emotion regulation, and even empathy building, cultural humility, and therapist improv, D&D has shown tremendous efficacy in symptom improvement and psychosocial functioning. Want to hear more about this unique form of treatment or learn more about how to start a D&D therapy group yourself? This is the episode for you!

Dr. Long can be reached at our podcast email below, or by connecting to her on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/brookelongpsyd/

Want to get connected with our team or guests? Have feedback, suggestions, or recommendations? Send us an email at milpsychpodcast@gmail.com

In the age of social media and technological advancement, we are seeing more and more patients requesting the newest and most “trending” treatment methods for their physical and mental health concerns. Navigating this ever-evolving landscape can be tricky, particularly when these techniques do not align with the published Clinical Practice Guidelines for evidence-based care. In this episode, Dr. Jinkerson sits down with Dr. Emily O’Hara, a Licensed Clinical Psychologist based at the Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center, the only integrated Department of Defense and Veterans Affairs treatment site in the nation, where she currently serves as the Psychology Program Manager and Section Chief overseeing outpatient PTSD programming, Primary Care Mental Health Integration, and the Community Based Outpatient Clinics in McHenry, IL, Evanston, IL, and Kenosha, WI. In this episode, we discuss the use of Complementary and Alternative Medicines within Active Duty and Veteran populations and Dr. O’Hara shares her experience with research and implementation of these complementary approaches to treatment in this unique integrated setting. Ever wondered about the difference between an FDA-approved vs. FDA-cleared treatment? Have an interest in learning more about acupuncture, acupressure, yoga, mindfulness, and/or the FreeSpira device? This is the episode for you!

For additional questions or to connect with Dr. O’Hara, she can be reached at Emily.C.OHara@gmail.com

Want to get connected with our team or guests? Have feedback, suggestions, or recommendations? Send us an email at milpsychpodcast@gmail.com

On this episode of the mil psych podcast, Dr. Bannar welcomes mentor, colleague, and friend Dr. Ann Hryshko-Mullen, Ph.D., ABPP-CHP, DBSM, Lt Col USAF (ret) to the show to discuss the many exciting training opportunities within Air Force Psychology! Dr. H-M serves as the director of psychology training for the US Air Force and plays a paramount role in the selection of HPSP scholarship recipients as well as AF resident training selection. If you are a graduate student and have questions about navigating the application, or are an AF psych wanting to know how our recruitment efforts are doing, you won't want to miss this episode. Dr. H-M shares her personally extensive history as an AF psych, unique opportunities during her active duty career, work training students through the internship pipeline, and current recruitment and performance within our training sites. This episode discusses the AF internship pipeline, training sites, unique programs, and fellowship opportunities. We share how to be competitive, what to expect, and explore what makes a training site the right fit for an applicant. We invite listeners to a unique opportunity to hear this vital information straight from the lead psychologist within AF psychology training. 

Want to get connected with our team or guests? Have feedback, suggestions, or recommendations? Send us an email at milpsychpodcast@gmail.com

Join Air Force psychologists Drs. Ethan Bannar and Jeremy Jinkerson as they talk with Lt Col (Dr.) Mikel Merritt, the Air Force Psychology Consultant. As the "Consultant," Lt Col Merritt serves as the top psychologist in the Air Force, with responsibilities including guiding the assignment selection process, mentoring military psychologists, retaining talent, and advocating for Air Force psychologists inside and outside the military. The discussion ranges from the missions of Air Force and military psychology, to the Defense Health Agency's assumption of the military's medical mission, to embedding psychologists into operational units. Manning and retention are also discussed along with the reasons one might wish to become a military psychologist. Are you considering military service as a psychologist or already serving in one of our branches? Do you want to know more about Active Duty service for your practice with military or veterans? Then you'll want to listen to this episode.

On a podcast about military psychology, you’d bet we would talk a lot about psychological trauma...and you’d be correct. But what happens when a patient’s trauma comes from within their own body rather than an external threat? What if the traumatic event was something that the patient did not see? Do we still consider a diagnosis of PTSD? Are the treatments the same? On this episode, Dr. Sacha McBain shares her expertise diagnosing and treating medical trauma, traumatic experiences from medical events. Dr. McBain serves as the Associate Director of the Center for Trauma Prevention, Recovery, and Innovation at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS). In this role, she has spearheaded implementation of screening, education, and brief intervention efforts within the Department of Surgery’s Division of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery to address the unique mental health needs of patients experiencing serious injury or acute illness. She also provides training and consultation to medical services around implementation of trauma-informed care practices, medical traumatic stress, and health care worker wellness initiatives designed to mitigate the impact of workplace trauma exposure. Her clinical interests include increasing access to care for patients, advocating for mental health resources in medical settings, and destigmatizing utilization of mental health engagement for patients and their families. Join podcast host, Dr. Ethan Bannar, and guest host, Dr. Brooke Long, as they welcome Dr. McBain to the Military Psychology Podcast to delve into the complex landscape that is medical trauma, discussing and defining the experience of medical trauma, the role of psychologists in health-related settings, challenges in the field, and prevention and intervention strategies for use in clinical settings!

Dr. McBain can be reached via Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sachamcbain/

Civilian mental health practitioners work more closely with active duty military service members than you might think. In fact, many military mental health provider’s rely on a civilian network of specialty mental health facilities to support service members in need of acute care. In this episode, Dr. Brooke Long shares her experience as a licensed clinical psychologist and trauma-therapy specialist working directly with Veteran and Active Duty service members on their road to recovery from Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. We explore trauma therapy, cognitive processing therapy for PTSD, Veterans Affairs MH care, and discuss The Road Home program. Dr. Long discusses her clinical role and professional opinion about patient’s engaged in trauma treatment, benefits and risks, as well as barriers to recovery in this complex area of clinical practice. As an Early Career Psychologist, she shares what she has found to be most fruitful in her practice of psychotherapy with military populations. 

In this episode, we introduce our new team!  We welcome Drs. Jeremy Jinkerson, Keyia Carlton, Contessa Tracy, and Brooke Long to the Military Psychology Podcast team and discuss their interests in the field. During this episode you are likely to hear our team discussing potential topics for future episodes. Themes include trauma therapy, neuropsychology, sleep disorders, health psychology, diversity, women in military leadership positions, and much, much more. Our goal is to bring together diverse topics in military and civilian settings to deliver timely and evidence-based theory, science, and clinical practice of mental health practitioners in military settings. We look forward to having you as a guest as we re-ignite this project! 

In this episode, we discover the many phenomenal training opportunities within Army Psychology! Maybe you have considered pursuing the Army HPSP or you are currently serving and curious if pursuing a career-change to psychology is even possible. Spoiler alert, it absolutely is! We welcome CPT Contessa Tracy (USA) and CPT Thomas Ballas (USA) from the APA accredited internship program at Brooke Army Medical Center, Joint Base San Antonio – Fort Sam Huston. These two talented interns share their training trajectory from graduate school practicum, internship applications, and completing a highly competitive internship program. They discuss various opportunities unique to Army Psychology and what it means to serve as an embedded mental health provider. We also open a unique conversation about supervising paraprofessional staff in the behavioral health field, an important factor of practicing psychology with active duty military units. Lastly, we touch on research opportunities as an Army Research Psychologist (71F).  

Want to get connected with our guests or have feedback, suggestions, or recommendations? Send us an email at div19studentrep@gmail.com or reach us on Facebook (fb.com/Div19Students ) or Twitter (@div19students).

Jillian C. Shipherd, Ph.D. is a clinical research psychologist, professor of psychiatry, and co-director for the Veterans Health Administration’s LGBT Health Program. With over 100 peer-reviewed publications and a book (!), Dr. Shipherd is a top scholar on the wellbeing of LGBTQ veterans. She’s dedicated her skills to improving the healthcare system to care for this unique population, and we discuss ways in which the DoD may build on the VA’s progress. Dr. Shipherd is the kind of person you want assigned to be on your team for a group project. She’s thorough, a wealth of knowledge, and walks the walk. If you’d rather listen to a conversation on LGBTQ wellbeing than read dozens of research papers, then this episode is for you!

Resources referenced in this episode:

Healthcare Equality Index 2020: https://www.hrc.org/resources/healthcare-equality-index

VA LGBT Health Program and LGBT Veteran Care Coordinators: https://www.patientcare.va.gov/lgbt/

Lt Col Julie Gloveris a Physician Assistant in the U.S. Air Force, holds a Doctorate in Emergency Medicine, has deployed thrice, and has held a number of leadership roles. I knew her back when she was Capt Glover (!) and we were stationed together in northern Italy. We bonded over our love of cats, softball, and LGBTQ rights. In this episode, Lt Col Glover discusses the impact that repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell had on her ‘outness’ to military colleagues, her experiences disclosing her sexual orientation to military medical providers and her bosses, as well as the process of reckoning with negative religious messaging about same-sex desire. She also talks about her long-time girlfriend and what it’s been like to be in a same-sex relationship in the military. Lt Col Glover is one of those people who is constantly winning awards, earning more and more degrees, and remains startlingly humble. (That last sentence would make her very uncomfortable.)

Research psychologists are the backbone of psychological science, and many listeners have been asking to hear more about conducting research and applied work within the military. Join us for another exciting episode on the Intro to Military Psychology as we discuss a popular topic: conducting research with military populations! Listen in on our talk with Dr. Kristin Saboe, former Army psychologist who shares her experience working at the pentagon, deployed as a researcher on a Mental Health Advisory Team (MHAT) and discussing her current interests in veteran employment. We host an interesting discussion about the unique ways military psychologists wear many hats from deployed locations to congressional legislature. Dr. Saboe is the recipient of the 2019 Society for Military Psychology's Early Career Psychologist Award, the 2020 Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology's Early Career Practitioner Award, and in 2019, she was selected to participate as one of 43 national leaders in the highly competitive George W. Bush Institute's Veterans Leadership Program.

Want to reach Dr. Saboe or have feedback, suggestions, recommendations? Send us an email at div19studentrep@gmail.com or reach us on Facebook (fb.com/Div19Students ) or Twitter (@div19students).

Our inaugural episode for the LGBTQ Military series features a talk with Lt Col Bree Fram. She’s an astronautical engineer, published author, transgender advocate, and delightful person. We cover her impressive military career, including working at the Pentagon...twice(!), we talk 'misgendering,' 'passing,' and self-disclosure. Lt Col Fram also invites medical providers and mental health professionals to provide affirming care to LGBTQ patients...and tells us how. Acknowledging that we live in a unique historical time, one of open LGBTQ service, she provides a fresh perspective on how military leaders can harness the unique leadership skills that this community brings to the workplace.

Resources referenced in this episode:

-Disclosure documentary: https://www.netflix.com/title/81284247

-Lt Col Fram's forthcoming book: https://nyupress.org/9781479801053/with-honor-and-integrity/

-SPARTA: https://spartapride.org/

Beyond the conventional roles (Therapist, Researcher, Educator, Etc.), one hat psychologists wear is that of an advocate. In this episode, we examine how military psychologists can advocate and contribute to organizational and societal change for the betterment. We discuss with Dr. Nicholas Grant, recipient of multiple accolades for his research, leadership, and contribution in his service to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning (LGBTQ) communities. Dr. Grant currently serves as a Navy psychologist and is the President-Elect of the GLMA: Health Professionals Advancing LGBTQ Equality. He has previously served alongside Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand as a Congressional Fellow with the American Psychological Association (APA) and the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). Through his past and current policy and legislative work, his advocacy efforts are directed toward LGBTQ equality, particularly on health care and military policies as they pertain to transgender service members. Additionally, he is an active volunteer, expert, and leader in LGBTQ communities as well as Division 19 and Division 44, The Society for the Psychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity, of the APA, where he often lends his expertise to advocate for change. Dr. Grant shares his advocacy experience and how he applies his experience in military context to promote policy change.

Want to reach Dr. Grant or have feedback, suggestions, recommendations? Send us an email at div19studentrep@gmail.com or reach us on Facebook (fb.com/Div19Students) or Twitter (@div19students).

What do COVID vaccine development and foreign language training have in common? Answer: they both involve psychological science. In this episode, we pivot to research and applied psychology, how they look in the military context and how they are used to solve "real world problems." We talk to the current and past president of Division 19, Drs. Maurice Sipos and Eric Surface, about their perspectives on the topic. Dr. Sipos is an Active Duty Army psychologist with a PhD in Experimental Psychology, with an emphasis on behavioral neuroscience. He is a Professor and the Director of Strategic Leadership Course in the Department of Command, Management, and Leadership at the US Army War College. His research focus is wide ranging, including impact of biological agents on human, behavioral health and well-being, leadership, mindfulness and moral courage. Dr. Surface is a civilian I/O psychologist who founded ALPS InsightsTM, a Raleigh-based company that provides research and consulting services for learning and development evaluation and analytics. Dr. Surface contributed to the success of US Special Operations by serving as a consultant and applied researcher, leading projects such as foreign language training effectiveness and training needs assessment studies. Drs. Sipos and Surface share with us their personal and professional experiences as military psychologists, how they became military psychologists, and their thoughts and recommendations to students interested in being a research/applied military psychologist.

Want to reach Drs. Sipos and Surface? Have feedback, suggestions, recommendations? Send us an email at div19studentrep@gmail.com or reach us on Facebook (fb.com/Div19Students ) or Twitter (@div19students). 

Are you curious what it is like serving as a military psychologist in operational settings? Wondering what is life like as an active duty psychologist? In our inaugural episode, we learn just that from retired (Col) Dr. Mark Staal. Dr. Staal has worked as licensed psychologist for 25 years, serving 20+ years as an active-duty military psychologist with the US Air Force and is an expert in the field of operational psychological, ethics, and the psychological science pertaining to national security. He is an esteemed authored to multiple articles, chapters and books on these topics and he continues to push the literary needle forward in these specialty areas. On this episode we discuss his career and experience as a military psychologist, from being a NASA Aerospace Psychology Fellow to a senior Air Force operational psychologist across the world. Join us for an exciting review of what it’s like to serve as a military psychologist in active duty settings. Dr. Staal shares multiple tips for anyone considering this as a potential career path!

He most recently co-authored a book “Operational Psychology: A New Field to Support National Security and Public Safety,” which digs deep into the ethical issues surrounding the work of operational military psychology practitioners. Dr. Staal is an avid participant in Division 19, the Society for Military Psychology and is currently operating his own consulting firm - http://www.ossconsultation.com/index.html 

Want to reach Dr. Staal or have feedback, suggestions, recommendations? Send us an email at div19studentrep@gmail.com or reach us on Facebook (fb.com/Div19Students ) or Twitter (@div19students).

Welcome to our new Series, Introduction to Military Psychology! Subscribe to the Military Psychology Podcast Network feed for free access, and follow the Society for Military Psychology at www.militarypsych.org and on social media at @APADIV19. Div19studentrep@gmail.com is a good way to get in touch with us.

A growing body of research has shown significant disparities in health delivery among minority patients, negatively impacting health care outcomes. Understanding implicit bias within the Military Medical System is crucial for leaders to understand barriers to care for both active-duty Military Members and Veterans. The impact of limited representation of minority providers on Service Members of Color to seek medical care can have a profound impact on health care outcomes, both long and short term. To ensure the highest caliber of care is given to all Service Members, leaders must be willing to look at health care outcomes and assess for the possible impact of implicit biases to improve deficits within the findings. MAJ Joseph Gomez, a Physician Assistant in the United States Army, shares his personal experiences as both a patient and provider of navigating biases in the military medical system and how he advocates for change through education and mentorship.

MAJ Joseph Gomez has served in the United States Army for 22 years, with 10 years of service as a laboratory technician while an Enlisted Soldier. MAJ Gomez went on to graduate from the Interservice Physician Assistants Program and continues to serve as a Physician Assistant. He has been deployed multiple times, provided medical services in a forward deployed environment, with Infantry and Aviation units, and has served as a clinic chief.

As more awareness of the impact of limited representation of Women of Color in Military Leadership has on the ranks, understanding the unique challenges Women of Color face when developing as a psychologist in the Military is imperative to the growth and development of leaders and colleagues alike. MAJ (P) Chaska Gomez discusses the challenges she has navigated as a woman of Color serving as a Psychologist in the Army as well as her role as a mother, wife, and advocate. She also lays out practical steps on how to expand cultural competence and to be an ally.

MAJ (P) Chaska Gomez is a Clinical Health Psychologist in the US Army with over 15 years of experience as a mental health professional. She has served in several leadership positions, to include a Brigade Behavioral Health Officer for a Stryker Brigade in Afghanistan, US Army Recruiting Command, and completing the Health Psychology Fellowship at Tripler Army Medical Center. She is a graduate of LaSalle University, where she earned her PsyD, as well as her Masters degree in Clinical Psychology. She also holds a Masters degree in Sports Psychology from Temple University. Her areas of professional interests include Health Psychology, Sports Psychology, addressing health care disparities, psychoeducation, risk assessment, as well as psychological assessment.

Breaking through the ranks can be a challenging endeavor for females seeking leadership positions in a traditionally male dominated military force. The value of strong mentoring relationships cannot be overstated. Cultivating these strong, professional relationships with men who have previously held leadership positions can be challenging, often leaving women out of the equation. Dr. Brad Johnson and Dr. Davie Smith discuss the importance of men becoming allies to women in leadership roles and the added value to organizations when mentoring relationships are developed.

http://www.wbradjohnson.com

W. Brad Johnson, PhD, is professor of psychology in the Department of Leadership, Ethics, and Law at the United States Naval Academy, and a faculty associate in the Graduate School of Education at Johns Hopkins University. A clinical psychologist and former Lieutenant Commander in the Navy’s Medical Service Corps, Dr. Johnson served as a psychologist at Bethesda Naval Hospital and the Medical Clinic at Pearl Harbor where he was the division head for psychology. He is an award-winning mentor with distinguished mentor awards from the National Institutes of Health and the American Psychological Association. He is also a fellow of the American Psychological Association and recipient of the Johns Hopkins University Teaching Excellence Award. He has served as chair of the American Psychological Association’s Ethics Committee and as president of the Society for Military Psychology. Dr. Johnson is the author of more than 130 journal articles and book chapters—many on the topic of mentoring—and 14 books, in the areas of mentoring, gender in the workplace, and professional ethics. Recent books include: Good Guys: How Men Can Become Better Allies for Women in the Workplace (2020, October, with David Smith) The Elements of Mentoring (3rd Ed.) (2018, with Charles Ridley), Athena Rising: How and Why Men Should Mentor Women (2016, with David Smith), On Being a Mentor: A Guide for Higher Education Faculty (2nd Ed.) (2015), The Elements of Ethics for Professionals (2008, with Charles Ridley), and Becoming a Leader the Annapolis Way (2006, with Greg Harper). He speaks around the globe on the topics of mentorship and cross-gender workplace relationships.

Dr. David G. Smith is an Associate Professor of Sociology at the US Naval War College; a gender, work and family researcher; author and speaker. Through his research and experience leading diverse organizations, he has established his value to organizations looking to improve gender relations. Dr. Smith is known for facilitating challenging topics about gender relations and brings this skill to his consulting, writing, and speaking. Dr. Smith is a frequent presenter on gender relations topics and best practices in mentoring relationships, co-author of Athena Rising: How and Why Men Should Mentor Women, and authored numerous articles across his areas of expertise.

A sociologist trained in social psychology, he focuses his research in gender, work and family issues including cross-gender mentoring relationships, gender bias, retention of women, dual career families, military families, and military women. In his speaking, consulting and teaching, he explores gender in leadership settings focusing on social science research illuminating the difficulties women experience attaining and being seen as effective leaders. Emphasis on gender and leadership styles, traits, and effectiveness is integrated with domestic responsibilities and organizational cultures and how they differently impact women and men. Dr. Smith engages audiences and clients in challenging conversations about stereotypes, prejudice, and discrimination that contribute to women’s under-representation in elite leadership roles. As a practitioner, Dr. Smith provides evidence-based best practices and strategies for promoting parity in top level leadership. Dr. Smith received a PhD in Sociology from the University of Maryland, an MS in Global Leadership from the University of San Diego and a BS from the U. S. Naval Academy.

LTC (P) Deb Engerran shares candid and personal accounts while serving as an Army Psychologist and how she has navigated challenges of sexism to rise through the ranks and serve in some of the top positions in Army Psychology. As she shares her successes and how at times she missed the mark, our listeners will gain valuable insights to developing skills to interact with commanders, finding their seat at the table, and how to advocate for themselves in a professional and effective manner. 

LTC (P) Engerran has served in Army Psychology for the past 19 years in various leadership positions and is currently the Clinical Psychology Consultant to the Army Surgeon General. Her experience in both combat and training settings has given her a unique perspective on Military Psychology. Her professional interests include mentoring junior Psychologists and advocating for mental health for Service Members. She is a graduate of the American School of Professional Psychology and Board-Certified Psychologist through the American Board of Professional Psychology.

Finding a mentor as a junior leader in the military can be a challenging task. For women in the military, there can be additional hurdles to overcome in seeking out positive mentors, to include additional responsibilities at home and caring for children. Knowing how to seek out positive mentors and knowing what healthy mentorship is can have a significant impact on career progression and professional development. In this episode, LTC (R) Wendy Perry shares her wisdom and expertise in leadership and military service to inform our listeners about how to seek out positive mentors and the importance of diversifying mentors to maximize growth and leadership development. 

LTC (R) Wendy Perry is a Registered Nurse and seasoned expert leader. During over 21 years of Army service, she held various leadership positions in the U.S. and abroad. Wendy is committed to mentoring aspiring leaders and, in particular, inspiring and empowering women in leadership. Wendy is a graduate of Prairie View A&M University, Prairie View, TX. She holds a Master of Science Degree from the University of Maryland, having earned post-Masters certificates in Health Services Leadership and Teaching in Nursing and Health Professions. She is a graduate of the Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF) at Syracuse University’s Veteran Women Igniting the Spirit of Entrepreneurship (V-WISE) Program. She is also a graduate of The University of Georgia’s Center for Continuing Education Sherpa Executive Coaching Program. Wendy is the author of Pow(Her) Surge: Recognizing and Accessing Power Within.

Email: wperry@connectmovegrow.com

https://connectmovegrow.com/our-story/

There is no question in this day and age that racism continues to rear its ugly head and negatively impact unit cohesion and esprit de corps. As meaningful conversation about racism continues to burgeon, the concept of White Privilege is a topic many leaders are uncomfortable talking about. Dr. Dixon facilitates this dynamic discussion on understanding what White Privilege is and what it is not, as well as understanding historic and systemic racism that has contributed to cultivating White Privilege.

Dr. Patricia S. Dixon is an Assistant Professor at the Florida School of Professional Psychology (FSPP) at National Louis University in Tampa, FL. She maintains a private practice in Palmetto, FL. She is experienced conducting psychological evaluations/assessments, forensic assessments as well as facilitating individual, group, couples and family counseling with children, adolescents and adults. Her research interests focus on social and psychological factors that contribute to positive mental health outcomes among minority populations. She has engaged in various research projects and presentations that examine factors such as colorism, racial disparities in the justice system, self-esteem, attachment, academic achievement, single-parent households, parenting practices and more among ethnic minority populations. In addition to her passion for teaching, clinical practice and research, she is passionate about community involvement and engagement. She is a proud member of the SOLVE Maternity Homes Board of Directors, which is a faith based organization that seeks to provide services to women and teens throughout their pregnancy. She is passionate about issues of diversity and her greatest hope is to utilize her position in the field of psychology to be impactful in the area of promoting diversity awareness and competency within the field as well as the community.