Yellow Ribbon trains deploying IMAs, loved ones Published Aug. 25, 2014 By Master Sgt. Timm Huffman HQ RIO Public Affairs ORLANDO, Fla. -- For Individual Mobilization Augmentees, who lack the support of a local military base, the separation and reintegration of a deployment can cause challenges for family relationships. Enter the Yellow Ribbon Program. The pre-, mid- and post-deployment events allow reservists and their loved ones the opportunity to get some much-needed support, networking and time away; all while surrounded by a community going through the same issues. Maj. Jason C. Moore, an IMA attached to Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, as a comptroller, recently returned from his fifth deployment and gave the program high marks after he and his family attended an event in Orlando, Florida. "[The Yellow Ribbon Program] lets your family get more information on what it's like to deploy and allows them the opportunity to talk with, and hear from, other families," he said. Started in 2008, the Air Force Reserve YRP is a series of events designed to provide members and families with essential resources pre-deployment, a level of stability and support while deployed, and re-integration techniques after the deployment cycle ends. Tech. Sgt. Brian Swayne, a heavily deployed IMA who works with the Defense Logistics Agency to demilitarize and dispose of equipment all around the world, first heard about Yellow Ribbon at the end of his most recent deployment. Swayne, who is studying to become a teacher in his hometown, Columbus, Ohio, said that his deployment schedule over the past decade has caused him to put his civilian education and career on hold. That, along with his recent marriage, made him decide to attend the Orlando event to see what resources were available to him and his wife, Nicole. "It reached further than we expected and we both benefited from the material," he said. To be eligible to attend Yellow Ribbon events, members must be on active duty orders for 90 days or more in support of a deployment and be separated from their family. Reservists can attend up to three events - one pre-deployment event (within 120 days of deployment) and two post-deployment events (within 180 days of returning) - and can bring three guests (or one guest and all Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System-eligible children). For each event, the reservist is placed on orders and travel costs for guests are covered. Additionally, travel dates are flexible, allowing families to spend time together, at their own expense, before or after the events. Moore's family used that extra time to be together as a family. "The program allows us the chance to be away from our normal, mundane activities and reconnect," said Moore, who also attended an event following a previous deployment. While travel time is flexible, attendees must attend two busy days of conference sessions. These briefings aren't the typical Air Force training sessions, though. They are chock-full of information members can apply directly to their lives and are delivered by engaging presenters who are there to help. The Yellow Ribbon Program promotes the well-being of reservists and their loved ones by connecting them with resources before and after deployments. It was born from a congressional mandate for the Department of Defense to assist reservists and National Guard members in maintaining resiliency as they transition between their military and civilian roles. Each year, the Air Force Reserve program trains 7,000 reservists and family members on education benefits, health care, retirement information and more. Class topics include veteran's benefits, financial management, marriage enrichment, resiliency, stress management. According to Chief Master Sgt. Juliet Alonso, the IMA Yellow Ribbon coordinator, there are many resources IMAs and their families wouldn't normally have time to access. Those include the judge advocate, who can spend one-on-one time with reservists writing wills and powers of attorney, and education and training staff, who can answer questions on the GI Bill and other benefits available to members and families. Swayne said his wife got as much, if not more, from the event as he did. "Nicole is a state auditor and has a very stressful job. The stress management class was really helpful and she said it opened her eyes to how she deals with her own stress," he said. They also learned new things about their finances, retirement expectations and about how to better ease into living together again. "We haven't always been understanding of each other's habits and issues that developed during my deployments," he explained. "The reintegration training really helped in that area." Alonso shared a story about a family who was having significant financial issues. When they attended a Yellow Ribbon event, they had the opportunity to sit down with a certified financial planner and walk through their finances. They left the weekend with a timeline and budget for getting their finances back in order. Moore said the community connections are another important aspect of the program. The events are an opportunity for pre- and post-deployers to come together, develop relationships, swap stories and see that others are going through the same issues. It's not just about the member, he said. Families also have that opportunity to get together with other military families to learn from and lean-on each other. Swayne agreed, saying he noticed pre-deployers listening and asking questions of post-deployers, who shared stories and networked. He said the meal times were the highlight of the event for him, because they allowed everyone to come together, sit down and get to know one another. The event wrapped up midday Sunday with a presentation by the Patriot Guard Riders, a motorcycle organization dedicated to honoring military members. About 35 riders converged on the Orlando event for a patriotic show of horse power and support for all those attending. Moore said he recommends Yellow Ribbon to every IMA he meets, especially to pre-deployers, who can get help from those coming back from a deployment. Swayne echoed that sentiment. "When coming off or going on a deployment, this program should be at the top of every [IMA's] priority list, because it provides tools and resources to give you an edge when coming back or going," he said. To learn more about the YRP, visit the official website at www.afrc.af.mil/library/yellowribbon. You can also contact Chief Master Sgt. Alonso at 478-327-0700 (commercial), 497-0700 (DSN) or by e-mail at afrc.yellowribbon@us.af.mil.