Yellow Ribbon Serves Reservists Published May 3, 2009 By Master Sgt. P.N. Brown Public Affairs DOBBINS AIR RESERVE BASE, Ga -- For military members, deployments are a way of life. Members serve their country both at home and in remote places from time to time. The military community is accustomed to that fact and is equipped to handle it. Many active-duty members live in close-knit communities on base, allowing family members of those deployed to support each other when loved ones are gone. There is also a list of resources and support in place. For reservists, that same type of deployment is not always as easy. Not only do reservists leave their families but they also leave their civilian jobs. Many reservists often live far away from their base and other reserve families so the resources available for deployed members are not as easy to take advantage of. That's why the Yellow Ribbon program was established. The program was created by the Secretary of Defense to provide National Guard and Reserve members and their families with information, assistance and support throughout the entire deployment process. That is, helping members and families before the deployment, during the deployment and after the deployment is over. Knowing families are being assisted, gives a deployed member peace of mind that it takes to remain focused on the mission. Each base has an Integrated Delivery System team and a Deployment Cycle Support representative. They develop and facilitate the program to best meet the needs of their base. Dobbins has found that hosting activities on unit training assembly weekends best suits the needs of their Airmen. Prior to the deployment Family Readiness meets with the families of deploying Airmen to inform them of their services. They provide contacts, information and a helping hand to the families. Most of the program consists of informational events and activities that will facilitate access to services support the health and well-being of members and their families. According to Angela Pedersen, Family Readiness Director, services include marriage counseling, services to children, budgeting, legal readiness and community outreach. Pulling the families in for these services gives a sense of community and belonging to the reservists that their active-duty counterpart may take for granted. Family Readiness does all they can to facilitate the concerns, needs or wants of our Airmen. It's just one of the many services they provide. Taking care of our "Wingman" is the most basic of our creeds and this creed extends to our families while we are here or deployed. For more information or for assistance in any family need please contact the Family Readiness office at 678-655-5004.
