Unit helps reservists, families deal with post-deployments

Published June 15, 2009
By Capt. Wayne Capps
315th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. -- Reservists and families from the 315th Airlift Wing at Charleston Air Force Base, S.C., are now getting more help after they return from a long deployment.

In the 2007 Defense Appropriations Act, Congress mandated that reserve forces give reservists and their families more deployment and reintegration support.

The Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program, a national combat veteran reintegration program, provides reservists and families with sufficient information, services, referral and proactive outreach opportunities throughout the entire deployment cycle. The program places heavy emphasis on preparing service people and families for the stresses associated with separation and deployment. They learn how deployments can impact the entire family, and they get a better understanding their benefits.

"This is what the new Yellow Ribbon program affords us to do for the service member and the family," said Lisa Sweatt, director of the 315th AW Airman and Family Readiness Office.

The wing kicked off its Yellow Ribbon program with a family retreat to Myrtle Beach, S.C., June 13-14. More than 100 Airmen and family members attended the weekend retreat. All of the participating Airmen had recently returned from deployments.

"This was an opportunity for our reservists and their families to actually sit down and learn the tools and benefits that are available to them," said Col. Steven Chapman, 315th AW commander, who was on hand to open the weekend.

"For the first time, we are bringing reservists and their spouses in on orders to hear firsthand what we can offer them. It is a great getaway for them to learn what their benefits are," Ms. Sweatt said.

Master Sgt. Sid Hursey, NCO in charge of the 315th AW Airman and Family Readiness Office, helped plan the event and was passionate about hosting the getaway.

"We did this to make sure our families get the attention they deserve. Most of our wing members don't actually live near an Air Force base, and it is difficult for them to get what they are entitled to," Sergeant Hursey said. "You don't know what to ask for if you don't know what you are entitled to."

Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Carl Yost, a Charlotte, N.C., resident who recently returned from Afghanistan, attended the event with his wife Debra.

"I am getting a lot of good information that is applicable to our life situation," said Mrs. Yost. "It was also nice to finally meet some of the people he has talked about for years. It was a restful and relaxing weekend with some good information."

During the reintegration weekend, families had the opportunity to speak with professionals about post-deployment benefits available through the Veterans Administration and Tricare health insurance. They also had the chance to speak with financial and educational consultants, just to name a few.

Senior Master Sgt. Linda Sturgeon went to the retreat with her husband Gary. She has deployed twice in the past three years.

"When we come back, we are not focused on taking care of our benefits," she said. "Coming back was a big adjustment. There is a lot of stress that comes with coming back.

"Spouses don't normally get post deployment information, and if I don't remember to tell him, he doesn't know," Sergeant Sturgeon said.

Overall, the weekend event was viewed as a big success for the wing.

"We believe in families, and this is why we are doing this," Sergeant Hursey said. (Air Force Reserve Command News Service)