FORT RILEY, Kan. – The spouses and loved ones of deployed soldiers received tips on how to overcome the stresses of deployment during the fourth annual Women’s Conference held at Riley’s Conference Center Jan. 28.
The conference “is a good way to empower and inform the women of Fort Riley,” said Kaitlin Krebs, wife of 1st Lt. Kyle Krebs, the executive officer of Company B, 2nd Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division. “I also feel that it’s a safe place because there are other women around who have been through what you are going through to share your concerns.”
During the conference, the women asked questions to a panel of spouses about common concerns and received advice they could use in the future.
“To me, [the conference] is kind of a spouse’s form of Comprehensive Soldier Fitness,” said Kelly Kreis, the wife of Lt. Col. Paul Kreis, the deputy commander for the Dragon brigade.
“It’s about knowing what’s out there for you,” Kreis added. “It’s going to date me, but I flash back to the 70's cartoons ‘Knowledge is power’ but that’s what it is. Its knowledge of the programs and services out there that help you become more resilient.”
The fourth-annual Women’s Conference provided the women knowledge and information about the resources and agencies available to them on post and in the surrounding communities during deployments and reintegration.
The conference also offered a series of classes that were geared toward making a physical fitness routine and starting and maintaining a successful relationship during deployment. It also gave ways to maintain a positive outlook during that stressful time.
The conference “helps provide some insight, observation and personal experiences to our spouses,” said Col. Joseph D. Wawro, the Dragon brigade commander, “which will then help them cope, provide better understanding, build resiliency and make them stronger.”