WHEELER ARMY AIRFIELD, Hawaii – It is said that behind every strong man is a strong woman, but for soldiers, it is a strong family. When soldiers leave on deployment, they leave behind a spouse that often becomes both a mother and father. For soldiers who are married and do not have children, deployments still add stress.
To help families during the deployment, the 25th Combat Aviation Brigade opened the Brigade’s Family Support Center in building 102 on Wheeler Army Airfield, Hawaii, Tuesday to help its families remain Army Strong.
The 25th CAB created the FSC to provide resources and to give support to its families. The 25th CAB consolidated a collection of resources ranging from a children's room, a computer lab to keep in contact with deployed service members and military assistance for when spouses need support.
The FSC will provide personnel from paralegal, a Rear Detachment Chaplain and assistant, the CAB Family Readiness Support Assistants, representatives from each battalion, squadron, and Headquarters and Headquarters Company, and a Military and Family Life Consultant.
“The FSC is very critical and important for family readiness on upcoming deployments,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Jesus Ruiz, 25th CAB command sergeant major. “It is very useful for families new to the Army and to the unit to be able to go to a one-stop shop and be able to solve any issue, concern, or problem that arises.”
In January, the FSC will improve upon itself by opening an Internet Café with six computers and web cams allowing families to reach out and communicate with their soldier.
“Family Readiness is essential to deployment readiness,” said Maj. James Fischer, 25th CAB Rear Detachment commander. “Soldier in combat must know that his family is safe and that if a problem arises, that they will have the resources at their disposal to address it.”
According to the 25th CAB Command Sergeant Major, “The FSC came together with a lot of teamwork from the units, families, Hawaii Army Garrison, and the Family Readiness Support Assistants from the brigade. They did a very good job with the center.”
“Being new to the unit, it is great to have a place to be able to go to one spot and have your issues and concerns dealt with,” said Iris Spires, wife of Spc. Christopher Spires, B Company, 209th Aviation Support Battalion, 25th CAB.