Army National Guard Soldiers Back from Iraq Learn About Benefits

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New York Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Jason Diaz, his wife Nisha and daughter Thalia, 4 of Peekskill, discuss scheduled activities during the 442nd MP Company Yellow Ribbon Event in May.

SARATOGA SPRINGS , NY (11/18/2011)(readMedia)-- Thirty -five New York Army National Guard Soldiers assigned to the 501st Ordnance Battalion, and their families, will take part in the New York Army National Guard's Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program on Saturday, Nov. 19, at the Saratoga Hilton. The Soldiers returned from Iraq on Oct. 15.

WHO: Thirty Members of the New York Army National Guard's 501st Ordnance Battalion (Explosive Ordnance Disposal), based at the Scotia-Glenville Armed Forces Reserve Center and their families. Seven New York Air National Guard Airmen and Soldiers from other units will also participate.

WHAT: A 30-day Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Event at which the combat veterans and their families will learn about the benefits they can take advantage of, as well as some of the stresses service members and their families experience following a combat deployment.

WHEN: 2 p.m.Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011

WHERE: Saratoga Hilton, 534 Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866

Coverage Opportunities:

Interviews with Soldiers and family members and New York National Guard leaders about the Yellow Ribbon program and the reintegration process. An opportunity to observe the "provider fair" which is part of the event.

BACKGROUND

501st Ordnance Battalion :

The 501st Ordnance Battalion is a headquarters element that is designed to command and control three to five Explosive Ordnance Disposal companies. During the battalion's deployment in Iraq the unit was responsible for counter-IED operations in nine provinces of southern Iraq, a region of about 81,000-square miles. This includes the main north-south highway known to the Military as MSR (Main Supply Route ) Tampa, which is the road that U.S. military supplies and Soldiers enter and leave Iraq over.

As part of their job the New York Army National Guard Soldiers maintained a communications network that included both unclassified and classified data and voice systems, and submitted 270 daily situation reports. The Soldiers of the than 501st also prepared more than intelligence products detailing counter-IED operations in their area of responsibility.

The Yellow Ribbon Program:

The New York Army National Guard Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program is an effort to help Soldiers and their families cope with the stress of returning to civilian life after deployment, while also helping Army National Guard units transition from their federal mobilization status back to state control.The New York Army National Guard Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program is an effort to help Soldiers and their families cope with the stress of returning to civilian life after deployment, while also helping Army National Guard units transition from their federal mobilization status back to state control.

Prior to 2008 the policy when Army National Guard units returned from deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan was to give the Soldiers 90 days to themselves before they were required to begin coming to regular monthly National Guard weekend drills.

While the goal-giving Soldiers time to decompress and spend time with their families after a year or 18 months away-was laudable, the system had flaws. During that 90 day period, Soldiers might begin experiencing problems and they had no one to talk to about it. Family members also might be put under strain as a long-gone spouse suddenly returned home.

The program requires Soldiers to be present for paid assemblies at 30 and 60 day The Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program requires Soldiers to be present for paid assemblies at 30 and 60 days after their return from a combat zone, and invites families to attend as well. The sessions are held in a non-threatening, non-military environment, to provide Soldiers and families a chance to share experiences and talk frankly with each other and counselors about their experiences.

Each Soldier is given the opportunity to talk to a Veterans Administration counselor and information on jobs and health care is made availalbe.

National Guard Soldiers are put back in touch with people who shared and understand their experience, at about the time the "honeymoon phase" of their homecoming starts fading. And with their families by their side, they hear about benefits and programs such as veterans' benefits, education and job opportunities and available support networks.

At two months, there are briefings on anger management, substance abuse, compulsive behaviors, financial management and other topics. Army studies have found that these issues occur at about those times. Again, spouses and families are invited along and the National Guard pays for the hotel for this session.

After 90 days, the Soldiers return to regular drilling status and report to their Armory for medical checks and additional briefings following a "Freedom Salute" ceremony at which they receive awards and public recognition for their service in combat.

The program is constantly changing as the National Guard learns more about how to help Soldiers come home from combat.