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Deployment Transition Center experts host Town Hall for Red Tails

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Kelly Goonan
  • 332d Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

Two Deployment Transition Center experts recently held several Town Halls here allowing 332d Air Expeditionary Wing Airmen to ask questions and gain insight on the many benefits of the DTC.

The U.S. Air Force DTC program, located at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, provides reintegration skills and decompression opportunities for members who are returning from deployments. These opportunities include outdoor recreation, individual lodging rooms, massage chairs, bicycles that can be checked out, as well as art, game and music rooms to name a few.

According to the DTC, a study of 3,000 deployers indicated that those who attended the program had significantly reduced negative outcomes regarding health and relationships when they returned home from deployment. 93% of attendees were able to rest and restore their energies, 86% stated the DTC helped them prepare emotionally and mentally for their return home and 74% indicated they learned new coping skills.

This two-day reintegration opportunity, which also includes one travel day to the DTC and one day of travel day back to the member’s home, includes brief sessions about post-deployment life and offers experiential outings in the local area. The program aims to give Airmen of every career field and combatant command the tools necessary to transition back into normal society.

“From the time of arrival to departure, approximately 65 to 72 hours, members are provided the opportunity to focus solely on themselves,” Maj. Michelle Rodriguez, 86th Mission Support Group, Detachment 1, DTC lead said. “This transitional period of self-reflection allows our warfighters to emotionally, socially, physically and spiritually prepare for reintegration back home.”

The DTC is open to all Air Force Specialty Codes and anyone experiencing significant stress, including from combat, home, and high-tempo deployment operations.