Reserve components adopt reintegration program

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Jeff Walston
  • 917th Wing Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AFB La --  Now, due to the new DoD Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program, each of the Service's Reserve Components will experience what reservists at the 917th Wing has enjoyed for years.
Undersecretary of Defense David S. C. Chu announced the formation of the Deployment Support and Reintegration Office within the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs March 17, 2008.

The office, mandated in this year's defense authorization act, is an integral piece of the YRRP. DoD's Yellow Ribbon Initiative is designed to provide support and outreach services to Reserve component service members, their families and communities throughout the deployment cycle.

The program will provide informational events/activities throughout the entire deployment cycle, which starts from the time of alert to deployment and continues through post-deployment/reconstitution for 180 days after a servicemember arrives back at home station.
All Air Force Reserve Command wings have directed by officials at Headquarters AFRC to enact this program.

Although reservists are highly trained and mentally and physically prepared for the rigors of combat, this program places particular emphasis on preparing service members and their families for the stresses associated with separation and deployment.

YRRP will educate members and families about resources available to assist them, and connecting members to service providers before and during deployments. The focus shifts to reconnecting service members with families and communities for successful reintegration following deployment.

Reintegration program capabilities are already underway with services provided through the Joint Family Support Assistance Program and are currently being pilot tested in 15 states. DoD plans to expand this program beyond the pilot phase to all 54 states and territories.

"This is not just about providing another briefing. One of our goals through the YRRP is to connect our families with resources in their cities," Donna McMillan, personnel readiness, 917th Mission Support Flight. "If there is an event at a marine reserve base in their hometown, we will be able to send information to the family so they can attend the event close to them."

The 917th Wing's YRRP team consist of first sergeants, medical, mental health, airman and family readiness, finance, Services, Legal, MEO, PA, Chaplain, Safety, Family Advocacy, and Wing Career Advisor.
"The buzz word is "purple"; a truly total force team effort. When we plan events at 917th, we could have marine, navy, army reserve/guard members and their family attend.
Members of the 917th Wing who attended the YRRP conference are: Master Sgt. Rachel Wood (Finance); Master Sgt. Shaletha Hall (Airman and Family Readiness); Tech. Sgt. Michael Root (Airman and Family Readiness) and Donna McMillan (Personnel Readiness).

(Air Force Reserve Command News Service)