ARC provides reintegration assistance

Published Aug. 26, 2007
By Senior Airman Clark Staehle
379th Air Expeditionary Wing

SOUTHWEST ASIA -- Most people look forward to the reintegration process of deployments. Reintegration means it's time to prepare to return back to your homestation. It's a time to reconnect with families and friends.

Airmen should be aware that while they've been gone, their family back home has learned to temporarily function without them. This is why reintegrating back into the lives of loved ones can be complicated.

This may come as a surprise for some Airmen, and it requires effort from both families and deployers to adjust smoothly. This is where the Airman Readiness Center can help.
One of the challenges Airmen face when returning is figuring out how to reintegrate themselves back into the routine at home and work. The anticipation of homecoming builds many positive thoughts and emotions.

But sometimes after the initial homecoming phase, families can become irritated with each other because they're not communicating effectively, said Sergeant Kennedy, who is deployed here from Shaw Air Force Base, S.C.

For instance, while servicemembers are deployed, they can become accustomed to parking their vehicle a certain way or having their weapon in a certain place while they sleep.

Family members also become used to doing things differently during deployments. They find new ways to cope and manage while their family member is deployed. Both the servicemember and his or her family may have two different expectations when they return. The servicemember may want to just come home and decompress for a few days and not worry about chores while his or her family may have kept the house clean in their absence and expects them to help the moment they redeploy.

"Without communication, you have a lot of stressful situations," Sergeant Kennedy said, a native of Savannah, Ga. "A lot of times expectations don't meet reality. The key is to communicate those expectations (with each other)."

Another challenge servicemembers face is learning how to slow down. Often when Airmen return from a deployment, they're used to working hard, often and at a fast pace. It can be difficult to adjust to a slower home life.

To help ensure the smoothest transition possible, the ARC here offers a reintegration workshop.

"We work hand in hand with the chapel," Sergeant Kennedy said. "They offer a redeployment briefing and we offer a reintegration workshop. It helps Airmen eliminate the stress and frustration that can set in."

The 379th Expeditionary Medical Group mental health flight also offers assistance with reintegration.

The Airman Readiness Center hosts reintegration workshops Monday through Saturday at 2 and 3 p.m. No appointments are necessary. For more information, call the ARC at 437-7080.