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Reintegration training for Iraq veterans
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Posted on May 30 2006
An official of the U.S. Army 9th Regional Readiness Command is on Saipan to promote programs that are designed to help returning soldiers from Iraq.
Lt. Col. Grant Porter disclosed that he would be overseeing the reintegration training that is set for June 25 at the U.S. Army Reserve Center.
The Regional Readiness Command will also conduct “strong bonds workshops” on June 7 and 14 that are intended for married couples, Porter told Saipan Tribune shortly after the Memorial Day ceremony at the Veterans Memorial Park in Susupe.
He explained that reintegration training consists of lessons on how to cope with stress and deal with some of the problems that soldiers typically have when they return from a war.
Porter said they have a team of psychologists, social workers, and local people such as Ruth Coleman with the Veterans Affairs Office, the Community Guidance Center who will be assisting them as they work with the soldiers and their families in making adjustments.
“The reintegration training first took off after the 411th Battalion returned. And they had a unit that came from Guam so we went to Guam last September and provided reintegration training for the 411th soldiers,” he said.
Likewise, Porter said, they are doing the same training now for the members of the Echo Company 100th Battalion.
“Anytime we have soldiers coming back from Iraq we provide reintegration training for them in dealing with mental issues as well as some of the benefits that they are entitled to such as medical care, veterans administration benefits, education…” he said.
Under the “strong bonds workshops,” Porter said, their chaplain will oversee the program that deals with communication and help families get back together.
