DOD officials honor top Guard, Reserve family programs

  • Published
  • By Elaine Wilson
  • American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON (AFNS) --  Defense Department officials lauded the top National Guard and Reserve family programs here Feb. 18 calling family support a vital component of mission readiness.

"Whether it is the basics of building military communities or taking care of military children or supporting military spouses, all of those things that you have demonstrated success at are important," said Dennis M. McCarthy, the assistant secretary of defense for Reserve affairs.

Mr. McCarthy spoke during the 2010 Reserve Family Readiness Awards program held in the Hall of Heroes.

Retired Navy Vice Adm. Norb Ryan Jr., the president of the Military Officers Association of America, joined Mr. McCarthy for the awards presentation.

"On behalf of MOAA, our 377,000 members simply want to say thank you for your inspiring example of selfless service and patriotism," Admiral Ryan said.

They presented unit representatives with a plaque as well as a cash award from MOAA intended to assist with enhancement of family support programs. The recipients, along with a snapshot of their accomplishments, include:

-- The Air National Guard's 157th Air Refueling Wing at Newington, N.H., personally contacted every deployed member's family at least once a month. Post-deployment efforts began at the airport with a well-being check followed by a wing reunion and reintegration program the next day. Unit members also developed a resource guide with a list of community members ready to aid families with everything from plumbing and electrical needs to child and pet care.

-- The Air Force Reserve's 439th Airlift Wing at Chicopee, Mass., maintained close contact with families of deployed members and a cadre of volunteer spouses worked to grow community support and resources. The unit also linked with nonmilitary support agencies, such as the Red Cross, to deliver helpful information throughout the deployment cycle.

-- The Army National Guard's 1484th Transportation Company at Green, Ohio, maintained morale-building support throughout deployments with care packages and consistent family contact. Family support representatives also attended every unit drill to pass on information and emphasize the importance of family readiness.

-- The Army Reserve's 354th Military Police Company at St. Louis, Mo., offered families extensive predeployment support and reached across miles during deployments to make contacts and meet the needs of every deployed Soldier's family.

-- The Marine Corps Reserve's 3rd Battalion, 24th Marines, at Bridgeton, Mo., increased its support base by training five family readiness officers, six family readiness advisers and 33 family readiness assistants. The family readiness team also participated in a fund-raising event that raised more than $200,000 to aid injured Marines and their families.

-- The Navy Reserve's SEAL Team 18 at Virginia Beach, Va., held a successful predeployment family readiness conference to offer families full deployment support. The conference delivered critical resources to families while also addressing their children's needs.

-- The Coast Guard Reserve's Maritime Safety Security Team at Los Angeles and Long Beach, Calif., created an innovative family readiness and morale briefing with guest speakers, and also greeted all new members and families with welcome aboard packages. Along with traditional contact methods, unit members established a blog to deliver current information to military families.