Reintegration classes mandatory for returning Airmen

Published Nov. 9, 2007
By Brandice J. Armstrong
Tinker Public Affairs

TINKER AIR FORCE BASE -- While an Airman is deployed, he and his family will likely experience something that changes their daily routines. When he returns home, reintegrating or reuniting with his loved ones may not be as easy as he expected.
   Tinker provides a mandatory program for returning Airmen to help them reintegrate and reunite with their families and the everyday life they left behind.
   "The program is a series of briefings and discussions and offers tools to help reintegrate and reunite them with their families," said Tech. Sgt. Jason Crosby, Family Readiness noncommissioned officer at the Family Support Center.
   Briefings are given by several different services on base such as the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center office of the Staff Judge Advocate and a wing chaplain. Topics include legal matters - assessing a financial situation, updating the power of attorney; learning about military benefits such as retirement and savings plans; easing back into a job and what an Airman should expect from his unit.
   Capt. Lena Kuharske of the 72nd Mission Support Group, who recently returned from her first deployment in Iraq, attended the course Nov. 1. She was one of four in the class.
   "I hope to get direction on how to do the post deployment health assessment," the captain said. While in Iraq for six months, she left behind her civilian husband of four years and said the deployment was "tough for him."
   Although not all Airmen will see a need for the class, as Captain Kuharske did, the course has been proved invaluable.
   "You never know when an Airman, supervisor or friend may have a difficult time readjusting," Sergeant Crosby said. Our goal is that this series of briefings will help individuals recognize potential problems before they become huge and overwhelming."
   Airmen who have been deployed longer than 30 days are required to attend the one-day class. Furthermore, they must take the class within seven days of returning from their deployment. Families are encouraged to attend, but rarely do, Sergeant Crosby said.
   During slow periods, when few Airmen are returning from deployments, the class is held every Thursday beginning at 7:30 a.m. in the Family Support Center. When large groups return, the class is held twice a week and can be conducted at the clinic. Depending on the number of Airmen who attend, the length of the class ranges from two to four hours.