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They serve too

  • Published
  • By Maj. Todd R. Alcott
  • 376th Expeditionary Force Support Squadron commander
MANAS AIR BASE, Kyrgyzstan (AFNS) --  Our Air Force has come a long way in the steady-state business of preparing for deployment. Some 19 years have elapsed since the Gulf War began and since we have continued sending our Airmen back into harm's way. Ten years ago, Air Force officials began the concept of air and space expeditionary force with the concept of scheduled rotations to prepare us for unknown destinations and contingencies.

Since September 2001, our expeditionary bubbles have come and gone, but the theory of not needing a rotation cycle is a lost concept. And for the fairness of morale, our service's chief of staff mandated that everyone is deployable.

It is not a matter of if one will deploy, but when. Since my first deployment for Operation Joint Endeavor as a lieutenant to currently supporting Operation Enduring Freedom, many processes have changed for the best. The most notable change is the inclusion of programs to support families before, during and after the deployment.

Family support centers are now mandatory stops for the deployed member and highly encouraged for spouses. Detailed briefings are given with useful information to keep the family connected and prepared during stressful times. Support packages are immediately sent to the families to ensure information is not lost in translation. Spouses are given morale call privileges and support groups are available in their local area with a dedicated One Source counselor. Additionally, Hearts Apart is a tremendous program available for the deployed member to record themselves reading a book, which can be sent back home for the kids to watch on CD, along with a book to keep.

To encourage the good old snail mail, which can really brighten a day, stationery kits with stickers and letterheads are available to the deployed member. For real-time magic, learning resource centers are equipped with virtual teleconferencing capabilities for families to talk over the Internet. And where commercial Internet service is not available, families can set up government accounts to e-mail and instant message their deployed loved one.

Deployed locations that were once hard to pronounce have become household names amongst our military children. Our families are more prepared, more knowledgeable and have a high stake in our success when we are deployed.

During the military inaugural ball, First Lady Michelle Obama referred to supporting not only the troops, but also the military families by stating, "They serve too." She is spot on in their recognition and our military today is more adept in dealing with the stresses of war when we know our family is taken care of.

However, we all know that no matter what we do, nothing can prepare our hearts for the void we all feel during the time and risk of deployment. If you're deployed now, don't forget those 'serving' back home need to be included in your wartime routine too.

Stay safe and God-speed to all deployed members and their families; the greatest reward of deploying is redeploying, because there is nothing like the homecoming.