Wisconsin Guard helps families of deployed Soldiers prepare for their return

March 3, 2010 - Soldier caring" is a military expression about making sure that a service member's basic needs are met. Once upon a time, that meant meals and pay - but today that caring is much more comprehensive, and extends to a service member's family as well.

The Wisconsin National Guard's Badger Yellow Ribbon program regularly conducts family programs designed for before, during and after deployments. Their most recent event was held Feb. 20 at the Wilderness Hotel and Resort in the Wisconsin Dells for the families of the more than 150 Soldiers deployed with the Embedded Training Team in Afghanistan and the 732nd Combat Sustainment Support Battalion (CSSB) headquarters element in Iraq.

Reunion issues dominated the afternoon session, as the ETT is expected to return later this month and the 732nd sometime in May. Discussions focused on readjustment issues. Maj. Doug Hedman, state chaplain for the Wisconsin National Guard, detailed a concept called "family battle-mind." A recently returned service member spoke to family members about his experiences from five deployments, and adjusting to civilian life afterward.

"There really is no 'normal,'" Vicki Edgren, Badger Yellow Ribbon director, explained. "It's how each person reacts. Everyone comes back with combat stress, but that's not the same as post-traumatic stress disorder. Awareness makes it easier for both sides to adjust. It may take some time, but that doesn't mean it's not normal."

Carla Davis, a co-leader of the family readiness group for the 732nd CSSB headquarters, said the candid presentation explained post-deployment behaviors ranging from a propensity for foul language to altered driving habits.

The morning session offered a new wrinkle - a wellness event, complete with free chair massages and relaxation breathing lessons.

"I think people are tired of being 'spoke' to," Edgren said, referring to traditional meetings where families sit through benefits briefings. "Things like this bring people in. It's a different approach."

She noted that some families are unable to attend Badger Yellow Ribbon events due to schedule conflicts, while others have prior experience with deployments.

Davis said the sessions went well.

"I haven't heard anything but great responses," she said. "Everyone was pleased with the entire day."

The chair massages were provided by student volunteers from Madison Area Technical College and Global University, while a University of Wisconsin volunteer demonstrated relaxation breathing techniques. The morning session also included advice on self care, information about Military OneSource and military family assistance centers.

Edgren said that the first wellness event was well received. Additional wellness events will be planned when student volunteers are available, she said.

The next demobilization, reunion and wellness event will be held later this month in Oshkosh. While similar in scope to the Feb. 20 event and geared for families of the 732nd CSSB, Davis emphasized that any military family member is welcome to attend the wellness event.

Reunion and wellness events are sponsored by Wisconsin's Service Member Support Division, which includes the Badger Yellow Ribbon, the Wisconsin Family Program and the Joint Family Support Assistance Program (JFSAP). Though run by the Wisconsin National Guard, the division provides assistance to families, employers and service members of all components, whether active duty or reserve. The SMSD and the three agencies within it comprise a large and diverse network of trained service providers, government, non-government, veteran and volunteer agencies that consolidate resources available to Wisconsin service members.

For more information about SMSD and Badger Yellow Ribbon, visit http://wisconsinmilitary.org/.