Facing the future: Yellow Ribbon Program gives Marines a chance at stable civilian life and strong family support

Photo By Sgt. Tiffany Edwards | Sgt. Maj. Richard Lewallen, sergeant major of the 4th Marine Logistics Group, addresses the audience at the 4th MLG’s 2013 Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program conference, May 18. The conference provided Marines and their families with advice and resources to help with pre- and post-deployment challenges, as well as how to adjust to a civilian workplace environment.  

NEW ORLEANS, LA, UNITED STATES

05.18.2013

Story by Lance Cpl. Tiffany Edwards 

Marine Forces Reserve (MARFORRES)

DALLAS – Outside the hotel’s front doors, the Texas afternoon shone bright, hot and humid. The breeze sifted through the trees in the courtyard, but offered no relief from the heat. Just inside the lobby, Marines and their families lounged in the air conditioning. Soon they would walk upstairs to check in for a weekend event designed to change their outlook on military life and the challenges they face.

The 4th Marine Logistics Group hosted their 2013 Yellow Ribbon Program Reintegration Conference in Dallas, May 17 through May 19. The conference helped Reservists identify and understand the challenges they may face transitioning from deployment to post-deployment life, as well as from full-time military culture to civilian life.

The conference featured representatives from the American Red Cross, Tricare Medical and Dental, the Marine Forces Reserve Psychological Health Outreach Program, Military OneSource and the Wounded Warrior Project, roughly 15 organizations in all, according to 4th MLG family readiness officer Hillary R. Smith.

The conference had two primary goals: a job initiative and a personal-relationship-and-growth initiative, said Smith. Marines and their families attended workshops on effective communication within the civilian workforce and in military marriages. One event, known as resource provider “speed dating,” allowed representatives from various organizations to move from table to table in the ballroom and speak to Marine couples about their options concerning health care, insurance and career counseling. Each representative would speak and answer questions until a bell was rung, which was their cue to move to another table.

“It is the perfect opportunity for Marines coming back from deployment, if they need assistance with their job or employment, anything like that,” said Master Sgt. Stanley J. Lewandowski, detachment non-commissioned officer in charge of the Personnel Retrieval and Processing Company, Headquarters and Service Bn., 4th MLG in Smyrna, Ga. “Every time I have come to one of these events, it has gotten better.
As of right now, this is the best one that I have attended.”
Lt. Col. Spencer Farrar, commanding officer of Co. C, Intel Support Bn., Force Headquarters Group in Quantico, Va., has deployed as both active duty and Reserve, and also before and after he had children. He says the unique challenges he faced over the years have shown him how much Marines need resources like the Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program.

“When I first came into the Marine Corps, there was nothing like this at all. When I came back there was really no support at all other than family help,” Farrar said.

Farrar spoke of his experience during his early years as an officer returning from deployment to minimal reintegration resources for service members like him. Medical, dental and Veteran’s Administration benefits had to be figured out without guidance, on top of trying to readjust to family life.

“The Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program conference really is an awesome experience,” he said.

Smith said the primary goal of the Yellow Ribbon Reintegration program is to show military families that they are not alone when they have to endure the challenges of deployment.

“Our main job is to be visible, to be out there, to let them know who we are,” said Smith. “We don’t want to have a military spouse, a Marine’s wife, husband, sibling, parent or best friend facing confusion about what’s next.”

For the Marine families who braved long distances, crowded airports and the searing southwestern heat, the weekend was both an eye-opener and relief, answering questions about what to expect in the future and who is there to help them.

For more information about family readiness and the Yellow Ribbon Program, contact Hillary R. Smith at 504-697-8153.

• Date Taken: 05.18.2013
• Date Posted: 05.23.2013 11:10
• Story ID: 107453
• Location: NEW ORLEANS, LA, US