Deployment Readiness?

Fort Benning has some good information out there. Talk to Perry Tripp at ACS (Mobilization/Deployment Program guy). Not only does he manage the program for the FRGs, but he also does training for the chaplains.

These are the numbers I have for Perry's Office.

706-545-4043

706-545-7517

706-545-6934

This is my husband's third deployment to Iraq and the worse as far as the FRG and contact from rear D. I haven't heard a word from them even when he was shipped to Germany for a cardiac cath.

I just want to know that someone cares about the family that was left behind..

When he was with the 101st we received a monthly news letter from Iraq letting us know what the troops were doing and it would have pictures of the soldiers.

Integration back into the family circle is such a difficult time for the soldier and family. The longer the deployment the harder it is. I would have loved to have attended a workshop for spouses on what to expect when they returned... I know now so it isn't so bad for those who haven't gone through it, this would be well worth the time to put together. If they throw in an extra day of leave for the soldier upon return for having family attend the workshop there would be alot more who attended.

Actually, the actual soldiers for the most part really do not care what you have to say, family members on the other hand may be different. If soldiers/families are going through their first deployment they need help with handling the time away from their loved ones, ways to assure the spouse that all is good, ways to cope with the stress of being gone. Upon re-deployment, it would have to be items/info on re-uniting, what to do and not to do for the family members, signs and symptoms of PTSD for the wife to know.. If it is their second deployment what individuals value most is to be left alone and not bothered. Chaplin's are great as well as those assistants out there.............when your needed or wanted, otherwise make sure the info is available and people will come to you if they want to.

please do not forget about married army couples that have children , we often fall thru the cracks because we are both in the miltary and obviously they dont have to keep the spouse happy. but these couples are the ones that need the most support. good luck