MYTRLE BEACH, S.C. –
Reservists from the 315th Airlift Wing are getting a new helping hand after returning from a long deployment.
The Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program, a national combat veteran reintegration program, is charged with providing National Guard and Reserve members and their families with sufficient information, services, referral and proactive outreach opportunities throughout the entire deployment cycle.
The 315 AW kicked off its Yellow Ribbon program with a family retreat to Myrtle Beach, S.C. The weekend retreat was attended by more than 100 Airmen and family members. All of the Airmen 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, 315 AW commander, who was on hand to open the weekend.
The Yellow Ribbon Program places heavy emphasis on preparing service members and their families for the stresses associated with separation and deployment. It is a great get-a-way for them to learn how deployments can impact the entire family and also understand 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 315 AW Airman and Family Readiness Office.
"For the first time ever, we are bringing reserve members and their spouses in on orders to hear firsthand what we can offer them. It is a great get-a-way for them to learn what their benefits are," said Ms. Sweatt.
Master Sgt. Sid Hursey, NCO in charge of the 315 AW Airman and Family Readiness Office, helped plan the event and was passionate about hosting the get-away.
"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," said Sergeant Hursey. "You don't know what to ask for if you don't know what you are entitled to."
Chap. (Lt. Col.) Carl Yost, a Charlotte, N.C., resident who recently returned from a deployment to Afghanistan, attended the event with his wife, Debra.
"I am getting a lot of good information that is applicable to our life situation," said Debra Yost. "It was also nice to finally meet some of the people that 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 Veteran's Administration and TRICARE. They also had the opportunity to speak with financial and educational consultants, just to name a few.
Senior Master Sgt. Linda Sturgeon attended the retreat with her husband, Gary, and has deployed twice in the past three years.
"When we come back, we are not focused on taking care of our benefits. Coming back was a big adjustment, there is a lot of stress that comes with coming back," said Sergeant Sturgeon. "Spouses don't normally get post deployment information and if I don't remember to tell him, he doesn't know."
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," said Sergeant Hursey.
The unique part of the Yellow Ribbon Program is wing members can attend Yellow Ribbon sessions put on by other units. The next 315 AW Yellow Ribbon program will be a pre-deployment session held in July 2009. These programs will continue on an ongoing basis.
For more information on the Yellow Ribbon Program, contact the 315 AW Airman and Family Readiness Office at 843-963-5818 or e-mail Ms. Sweatt at lisa.sweatt@charleston.af.mil.