New York Army National Guard Soldiers, Families Participate in Yellow Ribbon Program in Colonie

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Sgt. 1st Class Thomas Ruffin (left) and Spc. Gregg Gerber, from the 107th MP Co. stand by a replica of the World Trade Center the unit built at Guantanamo Bay to honor those killed on Sept. 11, 2001.

• Members of the 107th Military Police Company in formation at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

COLONIE , NY (07/20/2012)(readMedia)-- More than 170 New York Army National Guard Soldiers assigned to the 107th Military Police Company, and their families, will take part in the New York Army National Guard's Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program on Saturday, July 21, at the Desmond Hotel. The Soldiers returned from a deployment to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba in June.

WHO: Approximately 170 Members of the New York Army National Guard's 107th Military Police Company and 200+ family members of the Soldiers. Most of the Soldiers are from the New York City and Utica area with some from the Capital Region.

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. Major General Patrick Murphy, the Adjutant General of New York, will speak to the Soldiers and their families at 1 p.m.

WHEN: Media is invited to visit the check-in and opening events from 11: 30 a.m. to 2 p.,m.

WHERE: Desmond Hotel and Conference Center, 660 Albany Shaker Road, Albany, NY 12211

Coverage Opportunities:

Coverage opportunities include interviews with Soldiers and family members and New York National Guard leaders about the Yellow Ribbon program and the reintegration process. There is also an opportunity to observe the "provider fair" which is part of the event.

BACKGROUND

107th Military Police Company

The 107th Military Police Company traces its history back to the Utica Independent Infantry Company which was organized as a militia unit in 1808 and fought in the War of 1812. Ancestors of the 107th MP Company fought in the Civil War, World War I and World War II. The 107th MP Company was organized in 1968 and served in the Persian Gulf War in 1991. The unit was mobilized in June of 2011 for service at Guantanamo Bay Naval Base where the Soldiers performed perimeter security duties at the detention facility there as part of Joint Task Force Guantanamo. The unit was praised as "superb performers" by Lt. Col. Christopher Wynder, the commander of military police under the Joint Task Force.

For more on the 107th Military Police Company mission go here:http://www.jtfgtmo.southcom.mil/wire/pdf/v13/issue32.pdf

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 available.

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.