JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash,-- -- Airmen assigned to the 62nd Airlift Wing legal office attended vicarious trauma training led by the Navy Judge Advocate Group Command and toured the USS John C. Stennis, Sept. 15 in Bremerton, Wash.
Vicarious trauma is the emotional residue of exposure that counselors have from working with people as they are hearing their trauma stories and become witnesses to the pain, fear, and terror that trauma survivors have endured.
“This training is extremely important,” said Lt. Cmdr. Angelique Demoncada, Bremerton Naval Hospital staff psychologist. “A lot of people have never heard of vicarious trauma and as lawyers and members of the legal system, I think it is important to have some knowledge about it because the rate of vicarious trauma is higher with lawyers.”
The purpose of the training was to get the Airmen familiar with what vicarious trauma is. The training also helped them identify symptoms, taught them what to do to prevent it, and advised them of what they can do to help themselves through it if they are suffering from trauma.
“Legal professionals are exposed to a wide variety of trauma on a daily basis,” said Maj. David Blomgren, 62nd Airlift Wing deputy staff judge advocate. “This training was a first-of-its-kind for all of us. It was helpful to learn that second-hand trauma exists and that there are ways to identify and treat it.”
After the vicarious trauma training, the legal team grabbed some lunch before heading out to tour the USS John C. Stennis.
Upon entering the ship, the Airmen were briefed on how to properly board the ship and what they were going to see along the tour.
During the tour of the Stennis, the Airmen were showed the living quarters, mess hall, captain deck, the brig (holding area for sailors), officers dining room, and ended the tour seeing the legal office on board.
“Everyone in our office seemed to thoroughly enjoy the tour of the Stennis,” said Blomgren. “It was an extremely unique opportunity to see how our Navy counterparts operate both home and deployed.”
Blomgren said he thought everyone walked away with a new appreciation for the Navy and the missions they conduct.
“Overall, the joint vicarious trauma training was very valuable to our office,” said Blomgren. “Particularly here in the Puget Sound region, it is very important to have good working relationships with our sister service legal offices. Whether we're looking for an expert witness from the Navy or utilizing the Army's confinement facility, it is always helpful to have a JAG phone-a-friend. As legal professionals, we often deploy to Task Forces with other services and developing a good relationship at home station can go a long way in understanding how the different services operate.”