Fortifying the lives of Soldiers and families

Photo By Master Sgt. David Johnson | Sgt. Brian Hicks of the 412th Civil Affairs Battalion (Airborne) holds the paper chain that demonstrates the five links in the Soldier Life Cycle at the Family Readiness Liaison workshop, held at USACAPOC.  

COLUMBUS, OH, UNITED STATES

12.03.2015

Courtesy Story

412th Civil Affairs Battalion (AIRBORNE)

Story by Capt. Courtney Sanders
412th Civil Affairs Battalion (Airborne)

FORT BRAGG, N.C. – Five Soldiers from the 412th Civil Affairs Battalion (Airborne) out of Columbus, Ohio, ran into an old friend at the Family Readiness Liaison workshop.

Erik Lawson, a family readiness support assistant, was a team leader and first sergeant when he was assigned to 412th a few years ago.

Back then, he mentored them in tactical skills and now he teaches them how to take care of Soldiers and families.

After the pleasantries were exchanged and old times discussed, the 412th Soldiers got down to the business. They were at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, to learn about the Soldier Life Cycle concept.

Family readiness has transitioned from mobilization centric to planning the cycle for the entire career of a Soldier.

“We now provide links to families and Soldiers with connections and resources in order to strengthen families,” said Capt. Melinda Bluemling, a Family Readiness Liaison (FRL) for Headquarters Company, 412th Civil Affairs Bn.

There are five links in the Soldier Life Cycle. It begins when a Soldier enlists in the U.S. Army Reserve and continues with welcoming that troop to the unit, to leadership responsibilities, mobilization and reintegration, and finally the troop’s retirement.

“I get to be in a position to advocate for troops,” said Lawson.

He added that he enjoys helping families and his efforts are multiplied by FRLs in units.

One training emphasis is to ensure that attendees share what they learn with other members of their unit.
“During this training, you have learned about taking charge and given the playbook to assist your commander,” said Laura Blood, Family Program Coordinator for U.S. Army Civil Affairs Psychological Operations Command (USACAPOC).

Taking the playbook and tailoring it to the unit is what the 412th Soldiers intend to do.

“This was a good idea to send five Soldiers, one from each company,” said Sgt. Damon Haas, from Alpha Company, 412th. “We have a plan to help the entire battalion. We will organize and disseminate information to tie families to the unit.”

To support family resilience in the 412th, the newly trained FRLs will apply what they learned in the workshop to help take care of Soldiers.

“Readiness equals a strengthened family,” said Bluemling.

As Lawson knows, even though he is no longer a member of the unit, he is still considered family. And strong families mean a strong U.S. Army Reserve.

• Date Taken: 12.03.2015
• Date Posted: 12.04.2015 09:03
• Story ID: 183463
• Location: COLUMBUS, OH, US