Yellow Ribbon eases deployment transition

  • Published
  • By Lt. Col. Denise Kerr
  • 445th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
ORLANDO, Fla. --  "Put yourself all in," Maj. Gen. Stayce Harris, 22nd Air Force commander, urged more than 275 reservists and guardsmen at the Yellow Ribbon event here July 24-26, 2015. Service members preparing to deploy or post-deployment brought their family members to the sunshine state for a weekend designed to educate them on available resources and services.   

The Yellow Ribbon Program, whether there is a small or large group of pre- or post-deployers, is used to calibrate those who have returned, mentally prepare those who are about to leave, and educate all on their benefits and programs.

Retired Navy Lt. Cmdr. Chip Lutz opened the two-day conference with a class on stress management techniques for families coping with a parent or parents who are preparing to deploy or returned from a deployment.

"Anytime I get to spend with people who serve, it doesn't matter which branch or service, it's a good day. Because we do what people won't do, refuse to do or can't do, so for that thank you," encouraged Lutz. 

The program began in 2008 following a Congressional mandate for the Department of Defense to assist reservists and National Guard members in maintaining resiliency as they transition between their military and civilian roles.

"I think it is fantastic and inspiring," said Maj. Gen. Harris. "I think it is a great resource for Airmen to learn about all of the resources that are available to them."

Master Sgt. Sandi Golden-Vest, 445th Airlift Wing Yellow Ribbon Program representative, said Yellow Ribbon is a great opportunity for Airmen as it brings in subject matter experts from around the county who can answer individualized questions instead of having the reservist troubleshoot their issues through a 1-800 number or website. 

The Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program promotes the well-being of reservists and their loved ones by connecting them with resources throughout the deployment cycle.

"The sessions are geared to where you are in your deployment phase," said 445th AW historian Tech. Sgt. Eugenie Hinson.  Hinson was accompanied by her sister, Lynn DeWolf, who lives in Michigan.

Apart from the YRRP general sessions--including a keynote motivational speaker, a parade of resource advisors, and an interactive quiz geared to spark interest in information tables outside the ballroom--reservists and their families can pick whatever sessions they are interested in, with topics ranging from from Tricare to financial management.

"The breakouts we went to were right in line with what my sister has been going through and things she needs help with," said DeWolf.   "I've enjoyed the camaraderie with my sister since we do not usually have much time to spend together."

A reservist, depending on the length of the deployment, can become eligible for benefits they were not able to receive prior to the deployment. 

"One of the things I learned here was that I am able to transfer my educational benefits to my children because of my deployment. So I did that and with it comes an additional commitment," said Hinson. 

"The program's focus for the pre-deployers is on the benefits and when they are activated," said Golden-Vest.

Even though this event was in Orlando, YRRP participants who lived outside of Florida could enroll in the Veterans Affairs healthcare system. 

"We have 1010 EZ forms here and we are enrolling Service members who are interested.  After we upload their forms, we contact their home stations to make sure they are on their radar for an appointment," said Orlando VA Medical Center Operation Enduring Freedom Clinic Manager Rafiq Raza.

Other VA programs were represented at the resource tables stationed throughout the mezzanine. 

"We usually have an outreach specialist and representatives from the Vet Center, Veterans Benefits Administration and local veteran service officers at the Yellow Ribbon events," said Raza.