Life consultants ease redeployment process

Soldiers Magazine, August, 2005 by Jack Gillund

AN Army initiative that provides informal support for Soldiers returning from deployment helps put families back together again.

The Soldier and Family Life Consultants Initiative offers free, anonymous reunion and reintegration support to active-duty, Reserve and National Guard Soldiers, and their families.

The Army Community and Family Support Center is responsible for administration and coordination of the program. Health Net Federal Services is the contractor.

"The support will be in the form of individual and group training, and consultation and referral services, and will augment existing Army services," said Jay Burcham, chief of deployment readiness for family programs at CFSC.

"The reunion and reintegration period after an extended deployment is a critical time for Soldiers and families. Life consultants will provide the training and skills to make this period easier," Burcham added.

SFLC will offer informal support to assist units, rear-detachment commanders, Soldiers and their families during pre- and post-deployment phases.

Installations already taking part in the program are Camp Shelby, Miss.; Fort Bragg, N.C.; Fort Dix, N.J.; Fort Hood, Texas; Fort Buchanan, RR.; Fort McCoy, Wis.; Fort Benning, Ga.; Fort Riley, Kan.; Korea; and National Guard and Army Reserve units in Hawaii, Arkansas and Idaho.