Relaxation and reintegration for AF Reservists

  • Published
  • By Capt. Jody Ritchie
  • 302nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs
VAIL, Colo. --  Deployments can mean stressful times with long days, few breaks and a barrage of constant, and sometimes unexpected, demands -- it's not easy staying home when a loved one deploys.

Then the deployed member comes home and sometimes has difficulty finding their place in the new family structure.

"It's almost like time stands still while you are deployed," said Master Sgt. Matthew Youkey, 302nd Civil Engineer Squadron first sergeant. "But things have been moving forward back home."

The challenges some Air Force Reserve families face are the reason Congress established in the Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program in 2007. The program, according to its website www.yellowribbon.mil, provides National Guardsmen and Reserve members and their families with information, services, referrals and proactive outreach opportunities throughout the deployment cycle. Col. Bob Chapman, the 302nd Airlift Wing's vice commander, said it's especially important to have the YRRP as Air Force Reservists are traditionally part-time military members.

"The Active Duty [Air Force] doesn't do this because leadership has the ability to see their people every day," Colonel Chapman said. "We don't have that opportunity."

Recently-deployed members of the 302nd Airlift Wing, an Air Force Reserve C-130 unit based in Colorado Springs, Colo., braved a Rocky Mountain winter storm to participate in the Colorado National Guard's two-day YRRP event here. Members and spouses received briefings and information while their children were given the chance to spend time at a mountain ranch. Briefing topics included information on support systems, physical health, mental health, education and financial benefits available from organizations such as the 302nd AW Airman and Family Readiness office, the Key Spouse Program with the 302nd AW and the Department of Veterans Affairs.

"My kids are actually doing something fun and not in daycare while I'm here," said Tech. Sgt. Chris Archuleta, 302nd Aeromedical Staging Squadron aeromedical technician, as he sat in a break out session where military members discussed experiences and challenges they faced when they came home.

Military members and their spouses sat together during reintegration briefings and were later split up during breakout sessions to discuss their experiences with groups that could relate.

"My wife loves this," Staff Sgt. Lee Cruz, 302nd Services Flight fitness specialist said. "She's getting some closure and feels better."

"For the spouses to hear someone else talk about this topic is helpful," added Lt. Col. Brian Brech, 302nd CES commander.

This was the first time many of the spouses heard of the programs available to them during a loved one's absence. "The more we get our spouses involved, the more they know about the support network available," commented Sergeant Youkey.

With the first YRRP event for the 302nd AW over, Master Sgt. Christina Fornander, the non-commissioned officer in charge of the Airman and Family Readiness Center, said feedback from the event was "very positive."

"I think [YRRP] helped the people who were able to make it through the storm."

For more information on upcoming YRRP events, contact the 302nd AW's Airman and Family Readiness Center at (800) 446-9624, opt. 3.

Stay with www.302aw.afrc.af.mil for the latest news and information.