The tear-streaked face of a child buried in the uniformed shoulder of his or her parent as the parent returns from war. That's the image, which, to many, says "the end." The parent made it home safely, so that's it... right? As far as Congress was concerned, it wasn't.

As part of the National Defense Authorization Act of 2008, Congress mandated implementation of the Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program (YRRP). The Secretary of Defense was directed to establish the program and provide Reserve members and their families with sufficient information, services, referrals and proactive outreach opportunities throughout an entire deployment cycle.

In 2010, the Coast Guard established the YRRP to ensure deploying Coast Guard members, families and others connect with local resources before, during, and after deployments.



More than 750 Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, Airmen and Coast Guard members and their families made history when they attended the country's first multi-Service Yellow Ribbon Reintegration event in Dallas-Ft Worth on August 26 to 28.

The Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program was initiated by Congress in 2008, and offers access to information, resources and benefits to National Guard and Reserve service members and their families before, during and after deployments.

"Less than one percent of the American population wears a military uniform, so you are among heroes," said Army Maj. Gen. Charles Luckey, assistant to the chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff for Reserve matters, during opening ceremonies. "The wars we've been fighting have been on the shoulders of our armed forces and their families. This Yellow Ribbon event is how we take care of each other and prepare for the future because we don't know what is in store."

More than 800,000 Guard and Reserve members have been activated since 2001, and more than 92,000 are currently activated in support of military operations. The impact of ten years of war has leaders at all levels concerned about the effects on service members and their families, particularly when it comes to topics like combat stress, financial management, employment and health care. The Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program addresses these issues.

Ed. Note: Cross-posted from 301st Fighter Wing

At the 2011 Department of Defense/Veterans Affairs Annual Suicide Prevention Conference, Dr. Jonathan Woodson, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs said a key to preventing suicide is reducing the stigma associated with mental health care. "We have to change the attitudes that all too often keep people from getting the right care at the right time," Woodson said. He stressed that seeking mental health care is a sign of strength, not a sign of weakness adding that, "Getting help is what real warriors do."

Ed. Note: Cross-posted from Military Health System

Geographic transitions are an integral part of military life. They afford an opportunity for growth and reward. Yet they can complicate difficult health care issues by breaking continuity between providers. When transitions include deployment or return to civilian life, it’s important to ensure our nation’s warriors have the right support systems in place. For guardsmen and reservists who are receiving treatment for psychological health concerns, the inTransition program offers coaching support as they move between health care systems or providers. “For some individuals, behavioral health care may be a life-long process, following them from their Department of Defense service through transition to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA),” says Capt. Paul S. Hammer, Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury Director. “Psychological health and well-being are key components of a healthy, fit force. For this reason, the Military Health System is committed to providing continuous care to service members, veterans and their families – anytime, anywhere.”

How Does inTransition Provide Coaching and Support?
inTransition Transitional Support Coaches (TSCs) are specially trained volunteers that support warriors who are concerned about continuity of their mental health treatment during relocation or return to civilian life. TSCs have access to numerous community resources to provide location specific information and support individuals as they move between health care systems or providers throughout the transition period.

This video was a joint venture with the L.A. Film School and the 63rd RSC Yellow Ribbon Program to showcase the depth and real value of the Yellow Ribbon Program.