Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program

  • Published
  • By TSgt Denise Hauser
  • 927th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs Office
8/19/2009 MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Members of the 927th Air Refueling Wing at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla. prepared for their upcoming deployment this fall by participating in the Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program.  The conference was held at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort in Orlando, Fla., August 14-16, 2009.

The Secretary of Defense initiated the Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program which provides information, services, referral, and proactive outreach programs to Airmen of the Air Force Reserve and their families through all phases of the deployment cycle.

The goal of the Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program is to prepare airmen and families for mobilization, sustain families during mobilization, and reintegrate airmen with their families, communities, and employers upon their return from deployment. 

The program kicked off Saturday August 14th with the posting of the colors and the national anthem.  Lieutenant General Charles E. Stenner Jr., Commander of U.S. Air Force Reserve Command, opened the program by welcoming all Air Force Reserve members and their families.  He discussed the reserves, specifically who we are, what we do, and why we do what we do. "We are no longer weekend warriors who work one weekend a month, two weeks a year and are only mobilized when the 'Big Bang' happens.  We are now a Strategic Reserve and don't ever forget that,"  he said. He also spoke of how difficult it can be as a traditional Air Force reservist to balance your military life, your civilian life, and your personal life all at once.  He asked the question of "How do you balance it all?"  He answered saying, "You have it all in balance when your military boss is just as mad as your civilian boss who is just as mad as your spouse.  That's when you know you have it all in balance."  
 
After the opening remarks, there were a few presentations on the Veterans Administration, Tricare Health Benefits, and Managing Legal Affairs.  These briefings were presented to inform the members and their families the programs available to them, how to get enrolled and involved in these programs and how they will benefit from them.

In the afternoon, there were various break out sessions in which the reservists and their family members could attend.  These seminars included Family Life, Military One Source, Communication 101: Tips for Reintegration, Four Lenses, Marriage Enrichment, iRest, Reintegration/ESGR, Spouse Forum, and Family Matters.  These seminars are taught as a transition/reintegration back into civilian life after a deployment for both the military member and their families.

On Sunday, the program began with a 90 minute session on body language by Jan Latiolais-Hargrave, Speaker & Seminar Leader Body Language Specialist.  During her presentation Jan applied her amazing skills to show you how to take advantage of the vast world of nonverbal communication. She has been a popular guest of the Montel Williams Show, Fox News, Great Day Houston, The Learning Channel, and E-Entertainment Television. Jan is also a contributing author to: The New York Post, Cosmopolitan Magazine, Redbook, In Touch Weekly, Us Weekly, Golf Magazine and The Forensic Examiner. When asked why this is taught at Yellow Ribbon and how it fits into the reintegration process, Jan stated, "I think the best way people can use it, whether they are military or civilian, is to better communicate with each other.  55% of our communication is non-verbal.  People moves their hands a certain way when they are telling the truth, and they move their hands a different way when they are not telling the truth.  I think it is quite beneficial when people understand this information."

After the body language presentation, there were breakout session available again to military members and their families, and the weekend ended with a Commander's Call.  Colonel Doug Schwartz, the 927th Operations Group Commander, gathered all the members and their families to thank them for their participation.  He especially wanted to thank the family members for their participation.  He stated that, "It is hard for the military members to say goodbye to their families and deploy half way around the world, but it is even harder for the families that are left behind. The families are the true backbone of our military."

Overall, the Yellow Ribbon Program was a huge success.  All involved gained alot of valuable knowledge, and had a great experience. Future Yellow Ribbon events will be advertised at a later date.