FORT BRAGG, N.C. - Hundreds of paratroopers and family members filled the gym as they went from booth to booth, collecting information and free items. The gym was packed with volunteers from Army programs and local services providing knowledge and advice to service members and their families.
Paratroopers assigned to 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, and family members attended a Family Readiness Fair held at the Hosking Gym, Sept. 18-20.
The 2nd BCT is preparing to deploy for a Joint Readiness Training Center rotation within the next few weeks to Fort Polk, La., and is ensuring that the Paratroopers and their families are informed on the resources and services the Army provides.
“The best thing is getting the information in your hands, and talking to the experts of that field,” said Jaci Black, wife of Sgt. Charles Black, who is a mechanic assigned to E Company, 1st Battalion, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment, 2/82. A native of Shelby, N.C., Jaci said most young paratroopers and families are unaware of all the programs and services that the Army Community Service offers. “ACS has some of the best programs to learn about.”
Angela Homes, a domestic violence trainer with ACS said, “We offer free classes and services to help educate new parents, Soldiers and spouses.” The Fayetteville, N.C., native said young couples seem to be the most interested in the information and classes. Angela provided hundreds of Paratroopers and family member with information during her day of volunteering at the Family Readiness Fair.
“The American Red Cross booth was the most educational and a must for everyone to stop at,” said Jennifer Barron, wife of First Sgt. David Barron, senior enlisted adviser for A Company, 2nd Battalion, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment, 2BCT. Jennifer said it is a great opportunity for advice and information for single Soldiers to provide emergency information for their families. Jennifer is from Blythe, Calif.
“The American Red Cross is one of the only ways for families to reach their soldiers when they are deployed,” said Karine Camacho, a Red Cross volunteer. Karine is from Sanford, N.C. She said the families that visited her booth were very pleased to learn how to contact their spouses when deployed.
The Military One Source is a great program the Army offers for soldiers and their families, said Nakisha Rodriguez, a joint family service assistant program consultant. She said that most people don’t realize how many different services are offered, like marriage counseling, finance counseling and childcare counseling for free. Military One Source offers 12 free counselings for each different topic that is requested. Nakisha said, Military One Source even offers free YMCA memberships for family members. She said she was very glad to be apart of the fair, and to be able to provide hundreds of people with information. Nakisha is a native of Raleigh, N.C.
“This was our first FRG fair”, said Kayla B. Coffey, wife of James R. Coffey, a wheeled mechanic for E Company, 1-325th AIR. Kayla is a native of Elizabethton, Tenn. She said the fair allowed for people to see what is offered by the Army or locally. “I thought the fair was well organized and extremely useful,” she said.
Some of the most popular booths were the Financial Readiness Program, American Red Cross and Military One Source, said Joitza Jorge, a Family Readiness Support Assistant for 2-325th AIR. She said all the items and products are donated by charities and are free for service members and their families. Joitza said the FRG fair provided soldiers and families with a great amount information all in one place, which allows them to spend more time together before deployments.
As part of America’s Global Response Force, the paratroopers of the 82nd Abn. Div. consistently train to be prepared to conduct any type of mission anywhere in the world on short notice. One way the 2nd BCT ensures that its paratroopers and families are prepared and informed on the resources available to them is by conducting Family Readiness Group events. The brigade conducts fairs and other events to make sure paratroopers and their families are taken care of, helping build strong family bonds.