Air National Guardsmen network and learn at AFRC Yellow Ribbon event

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Anna-Marie Wyant
  • 920th Rescue Wing
ORLANDO, Fla. --  After two decades in the Air Force, Master Sgt. Nicholas Barnhardt had plenty of military experiences. But there was one thing he wanted to do that he hadn't yet done: deploy. That changed last year when he went on a six-month deployment to Kuwait.

Barnhardt, a meteorological technician and first sergeant with the 159th Weather Flight, a Florida Air National Guard unit at Camp Blanding, Florida, thought he already knew a lot about the deployment process, but he wanted to ensure his wife Michelle had all the information she needed, too. Before the deployment, he and Michelle attended a Yellow Ribbon event at his wing for deployers and their families.

The Yellow Ribbon Program provides information, services, referral and proactive outreach programs to Reservists and Guardsmen and their dependents through all phases of deployment cycles. The program's goals are to prepare service members and their families for mobilization, sustain families during mobilization, and reintegrate service members with their families and communities upon return from deployment.

Barnhardt said the pre-deployment Yellow Ribbon made him feel better prepared to deploy.

"I wanted to make sure my wife had as much info as possible to prepare her for my absence," said Barnhardt said. "Since this was my first deployment, it was a learning experience for both of us. I wanted to make sure we were set up for success."

After Barnhardt and the five other deployed members from his unit returned home safely, most of them took the opportunity to attend an Air Force Reserve Command Yellow Ribbon event in Orlando. They were among more than 200 Florida Air National Guardsmen and family members who attended the AFRC Yellow Ribbon event here Feb. 26-28. Approximately 500 Air Force Reservists and their families also attended. This was the first time Barnhardt worked alongside Reservists.

This event was a first, too, for Maj. Gen. Michael Kim, the mobilization assistant to the commander, Air Force Reserve Command.

"Everyone who has come to these events talks about how great Yellow Ribbon is," Kim said. "Now that I see it for myself, it's beyond my expectations."

Kim said he was impressed by the amount of resources provided to the deployers and their families, and he and his wife wish it existed when he deployed earlier in his career.
"We had a great community and network within our neighborhood, but as far as connecting to resources and benefits on the military side, we didn't have a clue," Kim said. "Yellow Ribbon ties it all together in one location so everybody understands what's available. It makes the deploying member and their family comfortable knowing they have everything together."

He said he is pleased that Guardsmen, Reservists and their families attended this event together.

"We're all Citizen Airmen," Kim said. "We share the same lifestyle, trying to balance family, the Air Force and civilian jobs, so I'm glad that the Guard is here with us."

Barnhardt and Michelle said they were also glad they attended. Michelle, one of only two key spouses in the Florida Air National Guard, said both the pre- and post-deployment Yellow Ribbon events helped her better prepare for her role.

According to the Air Force Services website, the Key Spouse Program "promotes partnerships with unit leadership, volunteer Key Spouses appointed by the commander, families, the Airman & Family Readiness Center and other community and helping agencies." Key spouses are there to help address the needs of military families, especially supporting them during the deployment cycle.

Michelle, who has been a key spouse for one year, said she learned a lot at both Yellow Ribbon events and will pass along the information to other spouses in the unit. She said the event was great for networking with other families and resource providers. 

"I like to keep track of those benefits and resources in case I can help somebody find what they need," she said. "When people call and need information I try to seek it out immediately."

Barnhardt said he is taking it upon himself to share information with his unit as well--especially the new members.

"We recruited a lot of people recently," Barnhardt said. "I'm looking forward to enlightening them."

Barnhardt said his first deployment, first Yellow Ribbon, and first experience working with Reservists were all positive. He and Michelle strongly encourage fellow Citizen Airmen and families to attend both pre- and post- deployment Yellow Ribbon events.

To learn more about AFRC's Yellow Ribbon Program, visit their website and Facebook page.