Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program

The Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program promotes the well-being of reservists and their loved ones by connecting them with resources before and after deployments. Celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2018, Yellow Ribbon began following a congressional mandate for the Department of Defense to assist reservists and National Guard members in maintaining resiliency as they transition between their military and civilian roles. Each year, the Air Force Reserve program trains 7,000 reservists and those closest to them in education benefits, health care, retirement information and more.

 

Upcoming Dates

June 26-28, 2020 at Orlando, FL CANCELED DUE TO CURRENT HEALTH ADVISARIES
July 24-26, 2020 at Chicago, IL LOCATION HAS BEEN CANCELED DUE TO STATE HEALTH ADVISARIES; NEW LOCATION TBA

New dates and information will be posted when available.

Scroll down for Frequently Asked Questions. For more details, contact the Yellow Ribbon Wing Representative or visit the 94 AW Yellow Ribbon SharePoint.

 

-ATTENTION ALL GUESTS-

You may also refer to the AF Connect application (available on Android and iPhone) for updated events and information. Simply link your app to the 94th Airlift Wing.

 

-ATTENTION MEMBERS-

To provide a smooth flow of process for your travel and return to and from a Yellow Ribbon Event, please refer to the 94 AW Yellow Ribbon SharePoint.

 

For more information, contact:

94 AW YRRP Wing Representative

Email: 94AW.YELLOW.RIBBONPROGRAM@us.af.mil

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

Before the Event

 

What is an Air Force Reserves Yellow Ribbon Event?

 

It is a program initiated by DoD and managed by AFRC to provide information on benefits, resources, and referrals to military members and their families (or support system) before, after, and during deployments.

 

If a members is deemed eligible to attend, he/she will receive an invitation to attend one pre-deployment event and two post-deployment events.

 

An event will be hosted at a hotel resort in various cities within CONUS. Every event begins Friday and ends on Sunday. You will be provided travel day(s), breakfast and lunch on Saturday and Sunday, and per diem or authorization of reimbursement for all other meals.

 

Each event is structured into breakout sessions. Each breakout session is formed by the four pillars of Airmen Comprehensive Fitness (mental, physical, social, and spiritual). Informational breakout sessions are also available. You will be able to choose which breakout session to attend, but there may be one or two mandatory sessions for you to attend based on your deployment phase.

 

Expenses for travel to and from this event are covered by the DoD. You will need to read instructions provided by your Yellow Ribbon Wing Representative to properly claim reimbursement for travel.

 

Am I eligible to attend?

 

A military member becomes eligible to attend an event if the member is

  1. slotted to deploy in 180 days for more than 75 days (accumulated or continuous)

    or

  2. the member has returned from a deployment of more than 75 days (accumulated or continuous) and is within one year of return date

 

I am eligible, but I retired or I am about to retire. Can I still attend an event?

 

Yes. The eligibility requirements are the same, but a retiring/retired member has six months post deployment to attend an event. If this situation applies to you, reach out to your Yellow Ribbon Wing Representative for more information.

 

Are my guests eligible?

 

You may bring two guests. It is recommended you choose your guests who are/will be part of your support system and reintegration process when you return from deployment.

 

Your guests are eligible if they are a family member (spouse, sibling, parent, or grandparent), a DEERS eligible child, or a designated individual 18+ years old.

 

DEERS eligible children are eligible for a Yellow Ribbon Event if the following apply:

- Newborn to 20 years old

- Children

- Stepchildren (if they live with the eligible member the majority of the year)

- Grandchildren or others (if the eligible member is the legal guardians & DEERS eligible)

- DEERS Eligible Children 21 and 22 years old – eligible to attend but must be a full time student

 

Visit your MPF and reach out to your Yellow Ribbon Wing Representative if you have any questions.

 

My guests have special needs. Are there any accommodations available?

 

Yes. Please, make your requests for accommodations known to your Yellow Ribbon Wing Representative, and he/she will coordinate with you and the Event Manager to ensure your guests with special needs are properly cared for at the event. AFRC will ensure the correct caretakers are in place for your individual needs.

 

How do I register for an event?

 

A registration link will be released about two months prior to the event. Keep in contact with your Yellow Ribbon Wing Representative for upcoming events, and he/she will send you the links directly to your email. You may also search events at https://yellowribbon.mil. Follow the prompts to register yourself and your guests.

 

How do I register children 12 and under?

 

Register your twelve and under guests when you register your other guests on yellowribbon.mil. You must also register them with the childcare providers at each Yellow Ribbon Event. Please, refer to your wing’s Yellow Ribbon SharePoint for more information not listed here for security purposes.

 

There is a program set up for each age group. It is not a published program. However, the children are kept busy with games and activities all day. The children will eat breakfast with their families on Saturday and Sunday, eat lunch in the classrooms on Saturday, and a bagged lunch is given to each child when departing on Sunday.

 

How do I register teens 13-17?

 

Register your 13-17 year old guests when you register your other guests on yellowribbon.mil. When you report in at the event on Friday, you will also register your teen guests with teen program. Please, refer to your wing’s Yellow Ribbon SharePoint for more information not listed here for security purposes.

 

What if my teen is 18 years old and in high school?

 

The registration process automatically has these teenagers attending the adult breakout sessions. If you would like them to attend the teen program instead, reach out to your Yellow Ribbon Wing Representative to coordinate this instance.

 

What if I have a child or teen guest with special needs?

 

Childcare and teen programs are staffed with trained personnel who are prepared for guests with special needs. Please, make your special needs known to your Yellow Ribbon Wing Representative to coordinate these requests.

 

What if I have an adult guest with special needs?

 

The Yellow Ribbon Team is prepared to serve you in order for you to experience the event in the best way possible. Please, make your special needs known to your Yellow Ribbon Wing Representative to coordinate these requests.

 

How do I plan my travel?

 

Your Yellow Ribbon Wing Representative will send you Hotel and Travel Instructions. You must read them thoroughly and follow deadlines to ensure you are not overcharged and everything runs smoothly. If you are overcharged due to not following instructions, the Yellow Ribbon Program is not responsible for these charges.

 

How do I register for a hotel room?

 

Your Yellow Ribbon Wing Representative will send you Hotel and Travel Instructions. There will be a hotel reservation link specifically for the Yellow Ribbon room block. Make your reservation and provide your Yellow Ribbon Wing Representative with your confirmation numbers. It is your responsibility to ensure the hotel charges you what the Hotel and Travel Instructions list for your particular event. The Yellow Ribbon Program is not responsible for charges outside of the authorized amount.

 

What if I am authorized more than one hotel room due to my number of guests?

 

Most states allow only four people per hotel room. In the cases of families with a spouse and three or more DEERS eligible children, an additional hotel room may be authorized. Reach out to your Yellow Ribbon Wing Representative to ensure the additional room is in fact authorized.

 

If you are authorized more than one room, the first hotel room should be charged to your GTC. After the event, the member will file a DTS voucher to claim payment for this room. The second room is charged to the guest’s personal expenses. A paper RTS voucher should be filed after the event to claim reimbursement for the second hotel room.

 

It is the member’s responsibility to ensure the hotel charges the appropriate amounts listed in the Hotel and Travel Instructions. Failure to do so might incur charges that the Yellow Ribbon Program is not responsible for.

 

How do I pay for the plane tickets for my guests and me?

 

When you make your travel arrangements through SATO or whomever your base contracts with, the military member’s plane ticket is charged on his/her GTC and a DTS voucher is filed to claim payment.

 

The guest’s plane tickets are centrally billed. You must provide the confirmation number and the itinerary to you Yellow Ribbon Wing Representative to ensure that the plane tickets are paid for.

 

Can I arrive to the event location early and depart late?

 

Yes, but any meals, transportation, and hotel costs incurred on non-program nights are at the expense of the member and guests. Reach out to your Yellow Ribbon Wing Representative to coordinate additional days.

 

Will I be on orders?

 

Yes, the member will be on orders. Please, reach out to your Yellow Ribbon Wing Representative to identify what status you are on (AGR, TR, GS, ADOS, Schools, etc.) to ensure your orders are properly drafted.

 

Will my guests be on orders?

 

Yes, the guests will be on orders referred to as ITAs, or Invitational Travel Authorizations. Guests who are seventeen or younger will be added as an additional traveler to an adult guest’s ITA. Please, reach out to your Yellow Ribbon Wing Representative to identify what status your guests are on (Active Duty, TR, AGR, GS, or no status) to ensure the ITAs are properly drafted.

 

Can I use my GTC for eating with my family?

 

No, you will need to use a personal card or cash for your guests’ expenses. 

 

For food, it is recommend to split your bill from your guests’ bill. Guests must have itemized receipts to be reimbursed on their travel voucher.

 

For transportation by taxi to and from the airport and the event location, the charge can be placed on your government travel card because it is one rate regardless of how many people are with you. Save the receipt to claim reimbursement through a DTS voucher.

 

For transportation by shuttle to and from the airport and the event location, the member’s ticket may be charged to the GTC but the guests’ tickets must be paid by personal expenses and claimed on a travel voucher after the event for reimbursement.

 

In other words, only use your GTC for the member’s travel expenses, the first authorized hotel room, and the member’s meals.

 

Will I get charged for checking in bags for the flight?

No, no one should be paying baggage fee unless you have brought more than the free baggage allowance (2 per person). Check with your airline to see what their policy is for military travel and baggage. Some airlines will increase baggage allowance at no cost by showing official orders. If you are charged a baggage fee, you will likely not be reimbursed. In your best interest, skip the kiosk and go directly to the check-in counter to speak with an airline representative. 

 

During the Event

 

What is the registration time and report time on Friday?

Show anytime between 1500hrs and 1700hrs on Friday. 

 

Should we have dinner before arriving? 

There will be light snacks available, but plan on eating dinner before or after you report in.

 

Are Friday and Saturday evening’s free time or part of the program?

On Friday after registration and a quick briefing, you will be released for the evening. Total time should be around thirty minutes. If you arrive closer to 1500 hours, you will have a longer evening of free time.

 

On Saturday after breakout sessions, you will be released around 1530 hours and will have the entire evening for you and your guests.

 

What is the dress code for the event?

 

Military members are on orders for this event and therefore are official travelers. Dress is business casual in accordance with AFI-36-2903 Chapter 3. Dress comfortably but professionally. Suggestions are khakis and a polo.

 

Consider layering your clothing. Large conference centers and hotels tend to keep the conference areas cold. 

 

Guests should also wear casual dress. Avoid shorts, flip flops, and tank tops.

 

Depending on the situation and the dress, attendees may be required to change their clothing or shoes. Abiding by these guidelines will minimize any unnecessary frustration from both ends of this event.

 

Do all guests have to attend every breakout?

 

Any attendee who is on orders is required to attend the breakout sessions or childcare.  This includes children registered in child care. Plan for everyone to participate so we can avoid any issues.

 

Failure to abide by this requirement could result non-reimbursement for travel expenses, disciplinary action for the military member, and/or cancellation of orders.

 

Each breakout session is formed by the four pillars of Airmen Comprehensive Fitness (mental, physical, social, and spiritual). Informational breakout sessions are also available. You are able to choose which breakout session to attend, but there may be one or two mandatory sessions for you to attend based on your deployment phase (Pre, Post 1, or Post 2). Take this opportunity to strengthen any area(s) of your life you see fit.

 

After the Event

 

Is there anything I have to do after the event?

 

There are four steps to take after an event: 1) Certify your orders in AROWS to ensure you are paid. 2) File your DTS travel voucher to ensure your GTC is paid. 3) File your guests’ RTS travel voucher to ensure reimbursement is received. 4) Plan your next event.