On-Demand CE Training
ODL 407: Introduction to Military Culture: Foundations for Informed Practice
Please make sure to check with your own state board to ensure the transferability of CE credit for an asynchronous course. Some state boards may place restrictions regarding the modality of training required for ethics credits to be awarded. If this training indicates ethics credits are available, please verify that your state allows them to be earned through an on-demand course format.
Please note: This on-demand webinar is a replay of a live CE event. The format reflects the original presentation and may include live Q&A, transitions, and intermittent audio/visual fluctuations typical of a live recording.
1 CREDIT HOUR APPROVED FOR:
Social Workers
ASWB ACE – 1 Cultural Competence Education credit
New York State Education Department’s State Board for Social Work – 1 Contact hour
Psychologists
APA – 1 CE credit
Counselors 1 Contact hour
NBCC ACEP – 1 Contact hour
New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners – 1 Contact hour
Addiction Professionals
NAADAC – 1 Contact hour
Nurses
California Board of Registered Nursing – 1 Contact hour
Case Managers
CCMC – 1 CE Contact hour
Created On: 4/29/26
Target Audience:
This course is targeted for social workers, psychologists, counselors, nurses and case managers.
Counselor Skill Groups:
4. Counseling Services
6. Case Management
Overview:
This 1-hour introductory training provides participants with a foundational understanding of military structure, culture, and the lived experiences of service members, veterans, and their families. Participants will learn key terminology, rank and branch distinctions, and the core values and norms that shape military life. The session also explores how military culture influences identity, communication, stress, resilience, and help-seeking behaviors. Designed for providers and professionals who interact with military-connected individuals, this training supports culturally responsive, respectful, and informed engagement.
Course Objectives:
By the end of the session, the participant will be able to:
- Describe the basic structure of the U.S. military, including branches, roles, and rank hierarchy.
- Identify key values, norms, and cultural themes that shape military identity and daily life.
- Recognize common stressors and strengths experienced by service members, veterans, and families.
- Explain how military culture can influence communication and help-seeking behavior.
Presenter:
Erika Wallgren, MS, LMSW, and Doctoral Candidate
Erika is an integrated therapist, educator, and doctoral candidate dedicated to advancing trauma-informed mental health care for underserved and military-connected populations. She currently serves as an integrated trauma therapist at Thrive Wellness & Recovery, where she provides evidence-based treatment for individuals navigating co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders.
In addition to her clinical practice, Erika is an adjunct professor of communication, teaching courses in interpersonal communication, conflict management, rhetorical thinking, and professional public speaking across diverse higher-education platforms. Her teaching emphasizes experiential learning, effective communication strategies, and empowerment-oriented practice.
Erika is currently a doctoral candidate in the College of Social Work at the University of Kentucky with a concentration in Military Behavioral Health. Her research focuses on secondary traumatic stress (STS) among military spouses, exploring systemic barriers to care and developing trauma-informed, family-systems-based frameworks to promote resilience and access to culturally responsive support.