Reintegration- a team effort

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Jerilyn Quintanilla
  • 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
RAF MILDENHALL, England --  With the high deployment tempo of the U.S. Air Force today, Airmen all over the world are constantly in rotation between their home station and down range.

Approximately 130 Airmen returned to RAF Mildenhall from a deployment in support of NATO-led Operation Unified Protector. The Airmen were met with smiles and the sighs of relief from their family and co-workers, who've long awaited their return.

And just as they adapted from their home station to their deployed location, so they must adapt again, back to their normal lives.

The Airman and Family Readiness Center spearheads the reintegration process which is mandatory for all Airmen deployed for more than 30 days.

"The purpose of reintegration is to re-educate the returnees on how to assimilate back into life as they left it," said Sharon Rector, A&FRC caring for people coordinator.

To assist with reintegration, the base has several programs in place run by the A&FRC, including couples communication courses, financial counseling, and reintegration marriage retreats for married Airmen.

"A big concern we see is the returning member trying to fit back into a life that has been going on without them," Rector added.

This is true for Airman 1st Class Joshua Ouchi, 100th Maintenance Squadron, who returned from Libya after deploying for 90 days.

"A few things have changed since I left," said Ouchi. "My wife had to take care of things I used to do, like taking care of the house and paying bills."

While the military member is deployed, everything at home keeps moving. The spouse left at home steps into different roles to keep the home functioning.

"While he was away, it was hard not having him right next to me, to comfort me after a long day," Makalani Ouchi said. "Before he left we spent all of our time together and that all changed when he was gone."

In addition to the services offered by the A&FRC several other agencies offer programs and assistance to help ease the transition and deal with the changes Airmen may face. Some of the agencies include the mental health flight, the chaplain, Military Family Life consultants and the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response coordinator.

The most valuable asset the Air Force has is its people, the Airmen who accomplish the mission. Their families come first and reintegration is just one way to ensure that.

For more information and to find out when the next reintegration briefings are being held, contact the A&FRC at DSN 238-3406.