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Program helps service members, families prepare for deployment
Members of the 254th Security Forces Squadron march during the recent Liberation Day parade.
(Maj. Josephine Blas/Guam National Guard)
In April of this year, the Guard’s 254thSecurity Forces Squadron received an alert order for a team of airmen to deploy later this year in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
The goal of the Yellow Ribbon Program Pre-Deployment Event is to ensure that all service members are aware of the benefits and resources available while they are deployed.
Briefings and resource information on the Chaplain’s Program, Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve and USERRA, Legal, Transition Assistance Programs, Family Programs, Financial Planning, Military Family Life, Tricare, the Red Cross and the 4 Lenses Program were provided to the airmen and their families.
This is the first of five legislatively mandated Yellow Ribbon events that helps National Guard soldiers, airmen, and family members connect with their local support community before, during and after deployments.
Staff. Sgt. Colleen Flores will be deploying for the first time. “I appreciate the information provided in this predeployment event. It helps to lessen the anxiety of deployment and allows me to focus on my training and the mission ahead,” she said.
Two squads of airmen, from the 254th Security Forces Squadron, will deploy this fall to an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia to provide base defense and area operations force protection
During deployment, events will be held for family members to focus on the challenges and stressors associated with separation as well as providing an opportunity for families to connect with one another. (PR)
