31st MEU families prepare for deployment

Photo By Sgt. Hannah Hall | Col. Robert Brodie, commanding officer of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, speaks to Marines, Sailors and their families during a pre-deployment brief at Camp Shields, Okinawa, Japan, July 31, 2018. The 31st MEU conducts pre-deployment briefs to inform Marines, Sailors and their families about programs that are available to alleviate any problems before the unit deploys. The 31st MEU, the Marine Corps’ only continuously forward-deployed MEU, provides a flexible force ready to perform a wide-range of military operations across the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Hannah Hall/Released)  

OKINAWA, JAPAN

07.31.2018

Story by Lance Cpl. Hannah Hall 

31st Marine Expeditionary Unit       

CAMP SHIELDS, OKINAWA, JAPAN (July 31, 2018) – The 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit hosted a pre-deployment brief for Marines, Sailors and their family members at Camp Shields, Okinawa, Japan, July 31, 2018.

During the brief, the unit Deployment Readiness Coordinator and command staff explained valuable information and base resources available for spouses once the 31st MEU Marines and Sailors embark aboard the Wasp Amphibious Ready Group.

“Family readiness is important because a deployment begins with the families being ready and prepared to meet the challenges of not having their service member around,” said Rich Palma, the 31st MEU DRC. “It allows the family to be resilient and the service member to concentrate on the mission at hand knowing his or her family are taken care of.”

The families received packets with information to help alleviate deployment stress while the unit conducts a routine patrol of the Indo-Pacific region.

The 31st MEU, including Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 262 (Reinforced) and Combat Logistics Battalion 31, usually deploy twice each year. Each Deployment brings its own set of challenges, and family and spouses are an important stabilizing influence for 31st MEU Marines and Sailors while deployed, according to 31st MEU Commanding Officer Col. Robert Brodie.

“By taking care of the home front, raising those children, and supporting your spouse, you commit.” said Brodie. “Commitment to both your internal family and your family that is the 31st MEU is incredibly important. It’s important to your nation, so thank you.”

• Date Taken: 07.31.2018
• Date Posted: 08.01.2018 04:50
• Story ID: 286680
• Location: OKINAWA, JP