NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nevada -- Members of the 926th Wing who are leaving for or returning from a deployment have the opportunity for them and their family or friends to learn about helpful resources and connect with a support network through the Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program.
The YRRP is a DOD-wide effort that brings support agencies and Airmen and their loved ones together with the information and resources they need throughout the deployment cycle. Through this effort, Airmen and their support systems have access to information about important life topics including health care, budgeting, education and legal resources.
“When Air Force reservists deploy, their families or friends are often not familiar with the military or the resources available to them,” Master Sgt. Rossella Learing, 926th Wing outgoing YRRP representative, said. “Many times they aren’t even close to a military installation. Our goal is to direct both the military member and their family to those resources, as well as other military spouses or children in order for them to create a like-minded support network while that member is deployed.”
While pre-deployment YRRP events focus on preparation before and support during deployment, post-deployment YRRP events assist Airmen in transitioning between their military and civilian roles, as well as reintegrating into their home life after separation.
The events are meant to educate and connect, and Learing said that locations for YRRP events are also specifically chosen based on their region and whether that location has activities that Airmen and their support systems can do together.
“I usually see people coming together during these events like it’s a vacation,” Learing said. “They’re given information and resources, and then are able to spend quality time with each other at a fun location.”
Tech. Sgt. James Fuentes, the incoming 926th Wing YRRP representative, said he’s excited to perform a job that directly helps others while educating himself.
“While I’ll be directing Airmen and their support systems to information and resources, it will also provide the opportunity for me to network with a wide range of people while learning something new at each event,” he said. “These events will provide Airmen and their families with peace of mind, which means the Air Force benefits as a whole as Airmen are able to focus on their deployed missions.”
An essential part of YRRP is for unit leaders to educate their members about the program and to ensure they’re taking advantage of the information being presented to them at these events.
This is where YRRP wing representatives come in.
Along with performing their normal duties for the AF Reserve, Learing said they also coordinate with various wing resources and provide support to service members and their families throughout the phases of deployment. This includes promoting awareness of the YRRP to all unit members through meetings with command staff and through their presence at informational unit events.
For more information about the YRRP, visit http://www.yellowribbon.mil/yrrp/aboutUs.html. To schedule attendance for a YRRP event, call Tech. Sgt. James Fuentes at 702-652-0956.