As this month’s blog posts have shown, the challenges facing National Guard and Reserve members can differ from those who are active duty. But resources do exist that address this variance. One of the premier resources is the Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program (YRRP).
The YRRP is a Department of Defense program, established in 2008. It is congressionally mandated and operated by the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs.
The program states its mission:
“To promote the well-being of National Guard and Reserve members, their families and communities, by connecting them with resources throughout the deployment cycle.”
It also articulates its vision:
“A ready and resilient National Guard and Reserve Force successfully navigating the challenges of deployments.”
The program caters to National Guard and Reserve members and their families by putting them in touch with local resources before, during, and after deployment. At its Yellow Ribbon events, YRRP provides attendees with access to information on education and training opportunities, financial matters, legal benefits, and health care.
These service men and women can also avail themselves of free and anonymous mental health screenings, very often an integral part of readjusting to life at home after the extreme stresses of deployment.
YRRP also has an excellent website with useful information, a listing of events, contact info and more.
It is through initiatives like the Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program that the military recognizes the needs of all who serve, and not just the full-time military professional.
Adrian Zupp is the marketing and communications writer at Screening for Mental Health.
