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ARC offers servicemembers resources for deployment, redeployment

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Carolyn Viss
  • 379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  Looking for a quiet place to use a phone or computer? Wishing you had more resources on reintegration? Hoping home is as good when you go back as it was when you left it? 

The Airman Readiness Center can help! Here in Southwest Asia, it is Air Combat Command's only deployed ARC and is a test-template for what may become a standard unit at forwardoperating bases.
 
Much like the Airman and Family Readiness Centers back home, active duty and Department of Defense civilians at the ARC offer classes all month on a range of topics from car buying to couples' communication, said Tiffany Jensen, 379th Air Expeditionary Wing ARC program manager. 

"The main difference is we're serving deployed servicemembers who are largely focusing on the mission and self improvement," Ms. Jensen said. "All Airmen and coalition forces are welcome." 

The center combines efforts with the chapel, mental health, and other base agencies to provide servicemembers deployed here the best possible help, she said. Their motto is, "Mission first/people always." 

In addition to their many classes, briefi ngs and resources, the ARC has computers and telephones that are available on a walk-in basis. 

"Sometimes it's quieter here than it is [at other places on base]," Ms. Jensen said. "We know deployments are stressful and it's really important to stay connected, especially since one misconception is that nothing will change at home while you're gone." 

To help, the ARC offers Airmen and coalition forces letter packets to send home to families and resources to give them a realistic picture of what to expect when deployed and redeployed, she said. 

Senior Airman Rebeckah Metcalfe, 340th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron KC-135 guidance and control, arrived just a few weeks ago for a fourmonth deployment. She stopped by the ARC right away to get reading materials, calling cards, and stationery to send to her nieces and grandma. 

"It's great," she said. "And best of all, it's free."