Photo By Cpl. Justin Humphreys | 1st Lt. Christopher Trawick, of 1st Battalion, 185th Aviation Regiment, Mississippi...... read more read more
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BRANDON, Miss. – The Mississippi National Guard’s Outreach Services held a Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Event for 1st Battalion, 185th Aviation Regiment and the 230th Finance Detachment of the Mississippi Army National Guard during the first weekend in March at the Civic Center in Brandon, Miss. as both units plan to deploy in the upcoming months.
The ultimate goal of the Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program is to increase Soldiers’ and military families’ readiness and resiliency throughout their military careers.
“We’re here for the service members and their families to make sure they have every resource they could possibly need under any circumstance, to ensure that Mississippi National Guard service members and their families thrive during their time in service,” said Lt. Col. Deidre Smith, director of Outreach Services for the Mississippi National Guard.
The Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program is meant to provide support and assistance to military families during the deployment cycle.
“Our efforts are focused to prepare family members mentally, emotionally, and skillfully through the awareness of resources and key personnel that can assist families during deployments such as Family Readiness Support Assistants for the units and Family Assistant Centers located throughout the state,” said Lt. Col. Smith.
For Soldiers whom have deployed before, they and their spouses feel more at ease about the upcoming deployment because of the Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program.
“Deployment is a learning event for Soldiers and their spouses,” said Chief Warrant Officer 2 Anthony Impastato. “The Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program makes sure I’m aware of everything for our resources and makes sure my wife will be okay while I’m gone.
His wife, Lindsey, said that the program has given her a lot of resources and information so she feels more at ease about Anthony leaving.
The Outreach Services team for the MSNG puts a lot of preparation into planning Yellow Ribbon Reintegration events and leadership emphasis sends a resounding message of their support and gratitude to the MSNG Families by welcoming them during opening remarks.
Maj. Gen. Janson Boyles, the adjutant general of Mississippi, and command teams from 66th Troop Command and 185th Aviation Brigade came out to support the troops and their families.
“Preparing a Yellow Ribbon event takes a team of military and civilian personnel from MSNG Outreach Services along with volunteers from our communities and especially command influence,” said Lt. Col. Smith.
MSNG Outreach Services has also developed a smartphone app to provide instant support to military families while their Soldier is away on deployment.
“There are several different ways we can provide families with resources and reference material. The most effective tool we have found is the newly launched Mississippi National Guard Outreach Services mobile app. Today’s generation has a smartphone with them wherever they go,” said Lt. Col. Smith. “This app is meant to provide Families with immediate and up to date resources that offer detailed information and point of contact personnel that can help whenever needed.”
The Outreach Services app launched its debut in January of this year, and is available on Apple and Google Play. It provides numerous services and programs to all leaders, service members, and especially for military families.
“Once a military family member opens the app, they see our slogan ‘T.G.I.F. - The Guard Is Family’,” says Lt. Col. Smith. “They click on ‘Services’ in the bottom-left corner, they’ll see all the services we provide.”
Services provide information for a variety of potential needs including family support, employment outreach, education outreach, military child and youth programs, suicide prevention, sexual assault hotlines, and more.
“The phone numbers represented on the front of the app offer immediate support in a time of crisis such as suicide prevention and sexual assault response. These hotline numbers connect service members to professionals who can offer immediate help; these aren’t just numbers that’ll tell you to hang up and call 911,” said Smith. “As a joint organization, we are presenting resources for the Army and Air National Guard service members on the app.”
The app is meant to empower people with tools and resources before any unforeseen challenges arises.
“During this Yellow Ribbon event, there are a variety of representatives such as Tricare to assist families with information about their medical benefit coverage as they transition to Tricare medical insurance during deployment. Employment Support of the Guard and Reserve can educate service members and assist civilian employers during the employee’s absence due to deployed military service. Every resource is meant to provide Family members education and resources so they know where to go and who to reach out to for help,” said Smith.
In the event that a retiree passes away, there’s also contact information to link the veteran’s Family with Military Funeral Honors to request the proper honors.
“The funeral honors team is fantastic,” said Lt. Col. Smith. “They show up ready to work, polished and pristine, but they can’t go to work if people don’t tell them. The communication process is essential and you can find that information in the app to make sure a loved one who’s served receives the proper funeral honors.”
The developers of the app at Outreach Services understand that children are also affected by the transition of deployment as well. The app also provides a selection of upcoming events, such as children’s summer camp, otherwise known as “KIDS AT,” at which military children learn some basics of what Soldiers and Airmen do in the MSNG such as protocol and flag ceremonies.
“The app has child and youth services that put military children in connection with other military children who are going through the same things,” said Smith. “When you’re able to connect with others who are going through the same life experiences as you, there’s a network of support.”
Another aspect of the app is a service called Strong Bonds, which is a program that focuses on strengthening relationships for military Families.
“The MSNG sets the standard on the national level in regards to Strong Bonds,” said Smith. “The program holds events throughout the year that are meant to enhance marriages for military spouses and strengthen relationships for military Families.”
“We’re trying to connect with every military Family to support them during their loved one’s military service, but especially with a younger generation that’s reliant on technology. Regardless of the situation, the MSNG Outreach Services app presents a new avenue to ensure relevant information is available at any time. It is an honor to be a part of such a dynamic team whose first priority is to ensure that our MSNG service members and their families thrive!” said Smith.
| Date Taken: | 03.04.2017 |
| Date Posted: | 03.09.2017 13:27 |
| Story ID: | 225927 |
| Location: | BRANDON, MS, US |
| Hometown: | JACKSON, MS, US |
| Web Views: | 50 |
| Downloads: | 2 |
This work, T.G.I.F. - The Guard Is Family, by CPL Justin Humphreys, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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