Air Force stands up deployment transition center at Ramstein Air Base

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Amaani Lyle
  • Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs
WASHINGTON (AFNS) --  Airmen in selected career fields returning from the area of responsibility now have access to enhanced post-deployment support with the service's stand up of the deployment transition center at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, officials here said June 30.

The DTC provides deployment returnees an opportunity to decompress and reintegrate into home and work life with a resilience building, strength-based approach to assisting Airmen regularly exposed to significant risk of death in a combat zone.

Career field peers, the chaplain corps, mental health and family readiness professionals are ready to support affected Airmen during the two-day decompression programs, said Janet Watkins, the Airmen resiliency division director.

"As 'outside-the-wire' missions increased and exposure rates climbed, we realized we needed a more robust program to address the full spectrum of resiliency issues Airmen were facing," Ms. Watkins said. "The deployment support working group met in April 2009 and developed the DTC concept, which we've continued to refine based on high-exposure career field feedback."

Ms. Watkins explained that time for reintegration, career field peer leadership and transitioning as a deployed team are three critical elements that comprise DTC.

"Since a core tenet of DTC is processing with your team, the program is not intended for teams of less than three members," Ms. Watkins said. "But during their time here, the teams will participate in topics ranging from combat-related stress management to family reunification, and they'll learn about the impact of deployment on married and single servicemembers and their children."

The program allots time for groups and individuals to discuss their deployments in a relaxed, safe and comfortable location prior to returning home, Ms. Watkins said.

"Having mental health professionals, the chaplain corps and the DTC staff develop curriculum, lead interactive discussions, (and) offer informal consultations is an integral part of DTC, as is referral to in-garrison or community health care providers if necessary," she said.