Supporting the families that support Air Force warriors

  • Published
  • By Joe B. Wiles
  • 71st Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  The Air Force recruits individuals but retains families. Supporting those families during deployments is Tech. Sgt. Bobbie White's job, and she really enjoys her job. 

She is part of a five-member team at the Airman & Family Readiness Center that supports the individual and family needs of every Airman at Vance. Sergeant White's specialty is the well-being of the families whose active duty member is deployed, on a long temporary duty or a remote assignment. 

Sergeant White's first contact with a deploying Airman is usually at the pre-deployment briefing, a one-on-one she encourages the whole family to attend. Her objective is to let everyone know what they are about to encounter, and give advice and tools they can use to cope. 

"For the young children, we have stationary they can write to Mommy or Daddy, and a video featuring Elmo from the television show, Sesame Street," said Sergeant White. "Elmo's dad has to go away for a while and the video shows how he and Elmo handle it." 

For the older children, she has journaling materials available. "Teenagers have trouble expressing their anger over a separation. Writing about it can help," she said. 

During the pre-deployment briefing, Sergeant White tells the family about the many programs available to make the deployment easier: 

Car care because we care - a free oil and filter change at the Auto Skills Center and a 15-point inspection to insure the vehicle is running properly. 

Key spouse program - Currently a group of nine squadrons with a spouse designated in each unit to serve as primary source of information for the rest of the unit spouses. 

Give parents a break - Free child care one Saturday a month at the Child Development Center or Youth Center to allow adult-alone time before and after a deployment. 

Hearts apart - a variety of services to include four-times a week free morale calls, workshops aimed at specific needs or challenges, and monthly meetings. 

SIGMO - the Singles' International Gourmet Meal Opportunity, a monthly event for single or unaccompanied folks and families of deployed or TDY Airmen. 

Operation REST - A readiness emergency sleep tool is created for children of deploying Airmen. Sergeant White takes a photo of the deployer and prints it on a pillow case so the child can be close to Mom or Dad when they sleep. 

A very special tool available to families is the Military Family Life Consultant attached to the A&FRC. "The life consultant is a Department of Defense contractor that is assigned to the base for 45 days," said Sergeant White. "They are counselors who are free, confidential and keep no records," she said. 

"The Life Consultants will meet individuals and families where ever is most comfortable to discuss anything that needs discussing," said Sergeant White. Beginning in January, Vance will have two life consultants, one specifically aimed at children and youth, she said. 

When deployers return home, Sergeant White gives one-on-one reintegration briefings. "When you get home from a deployment, often things have changed. Your spouse is more independent, family members are older, at work your desk may have moved," she said. "We give you information to prepare you, make the integration back home more understandable." 

The A&FRC provides support before, during and after a deployment, TDY or remote assignment. "Needs don't end just because the Airman is home, and neither does our support," said Sergeant White. 

The other members of the A&FRC are: Greg Waide, Terri Presa, Sue Loving and Angel Dominguez. The main office number is 213-6330. Sergeant White's direct number is 213-6288. Hours are 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Fridays. However, according to Sergeant White, "We'll be here any time you need us."