WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- Managing a daily routine of taking care of yourself and tending to the needs of your children can be hard to do when you have a family member deployed.
Here at Wright-Patterson AFB, the Family Readiness Program located at the Airman & Family Readiness Center, can help families through all phases of deployments.
“We [A&FRC staff] want all members preparing for deployment to come visit our center,” said Master Sgt. Christina Dodson, A&FRC Readiness Senior Non-Commissioned Officer. “We have programs to assist everyone…my goal is to decrease the burden of deployment on the service member and their families as much as I possibly can.”
Dodson has deployed four times during her career and stresses the importance of taking advantage of all resources available.
“During my third deployment, my son was only eight months old when I left. It was difficult for my husband to take on that huge responsibility and difficult for me to be away from my son,” she said. “Fortunately, we had a large circle of support…when I returned, my son did not know me. It was very hurtful but I realized that we had to create our ‘new normal’. It was tough for all of us but we made it through stronger than ever before.”
The program’s mission is to provide assistance to help single and married service members and their families meet the challenges of the four stages of deployment: pre-deployment, deployment and sustainment, reintegration, and post deployment.
Pre-deployment:
Prior to deploying, Dodson briefs service members and their families about all services and resources available through the center and local community.
A service she provides at the center is creating pillowcases with family pictures on them.
“The pillowcases can be for the family or the service member to bring along on the deployment,” said Dodson. “The pillowcases especially help children deal with separation anxiety. It is as though they are sleeping next to their deployed family member.”
A new local service is the Project Evergreen organization that provides free snow removal and lawn care throughout the length of the deployment. Another local service now available are the Hearts Apart photography organizations that provide free photo sessions so the service member can have current photos to take along to the deployed location.
Deployment and Sustainment:
During the deployment, the program provides free monthly events so that families can have fun, meet others going through a similar situation, and take their focus off the separation with the deployed member.
“In 2016, we were able to have a prince & princess party at the Hilton Garden Inn, go to Magic Castle and Scene 75, and have a Harvest Festival and Charlie Brown Holiday Party,” Dodson explained. “Throughout the year, we have [approximately] 1,354 deployed families, to include Exceptional Family Member Program and Wounded Warriors families who attend these events.”
Reintegration:
Upon returning from deployment, Dodson provides educational briefings on resources that assist service members to process back into their units, complete needed medical assessments, and provide materials to begin their healthy, successful reunion with their families and to regain normalcy after deployment.
Post Deployment:
In the post deployment phase, she informs families of free “fun” opportunities to participate in at on and off-base events that can help them reunite such as tickets to Dayton Dragons baseball games, Victoria Theatre shows, and Chapel-sponsored reintegration events.
“I absolutely love being a Family Readiness SNCO,” said Dodson. “It has truly been the highlight of my career. The best part of my position is seeing the relief in the families’ faces when I explain all that the A&FRC and local community partners can provide during their deployment. It is very rewarding!”
For more information Wright-Patt’s Family Readiness Program, contact the A&FRC at (937) 257-3592.