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The ribbon is yellow, the program is pure gold

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Shane Ellis
  • 315th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
CHARLESTON, S.C. --  For members of the 315th Airlift Wing, deployments are a way of life. Airmen serve their country at home, in remote locations or any place duty calls.

Each deployment stimulates questions and some form of natural anxiety. Families are left behind, civilian jobs are put on hold, and communities are suddenly minus a leader.

Fortunately, the Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program, mandated by Congress in 2008, is available to all National Guard and Reserve members and their families. The role of the program is to assist servicemembers, and the people they leave behind, through tough questions, anxiety and expectations that may arise through all phases of deployment.

Two members of the 315 AW here attended a Yellow Ribbon Reintegration event July 17-18 in Jacksonville, Fla. The event was hosted by the Florida National Guard Yellow Ribbon Program which helps servicemembers navigate through the numerous benefits and entitlements in the Department of Defense, Veterans Affairs and State systems.

Col. William D. Stephens, 315th Mission Support Group commander, is scheduled to be deployed in the near future. He will be deployed for several months, and he attended the event with his wife and daughter.

"The Yellow Ribbon program is a great example of teamwork when it comes to putting a program together to look out for servicemembers and their families," he said. "Knowing my family is being assisted gives me the peace of mind it takes to remain focused on the mission."

Florida National Guard Maj. Sarah McLevy, 927th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion deployment cycle support chief, is the Yellow Ribbon Program coordinator for the state of Florida.

"The success of the program comes from its ability to help people overcome the challenges associated with separation before, during and after deployment," she said. "Our goal is to provide the right education, the right information and the right resources needed for successful transitions."

Senior Master Sgt. Robin L. Grant, 38th Aerial Port Squadron unit deployment manager, made her transition home to Charleston in July 2010 after spending eight months deployed. She is a single mother with two children, and she decided to take her children with her to the event.

"Most of the time my children only see me packing my things prior to a deployment," she said. "I wanted my children to see the support side of the military and the numerous benefits available to us as a military family."

Senior Master Sgt. Grant said her son really enjoyed the financial briefings, and her daughter took good notes on the subject of identity theft. She is looking forward to seeing how they implement the strategies they learned when they return to Charleston.

Senior Master Sergeant Ed Pankey, 315AW Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program representative, said the program is a great event for reservist to attend. They can secure the bond they have with their families before they deploy, and they can reconnect with their families when they return home.

"The Yellow Ribbon events are informative and include scheduled activities to support the health and well-being of servicemembers and their families," he said.

There are numerous Yellow Ribbon events, hosted by various units throughout the country, every month. The 315 AW encourages everyone who is deploying, or home from a recent deployment, to attend these events.

For more information on Yellow Ribbon Reintegration events, contact Senior Master Sgt. Pankey at 843-963-8614.

Stay up to date with the 315th Airlift Wing at http://www.315aw.afrc.af.mil/. Follow the 315th on Facebook and Twitter.