Beale Air Force Base, Calif. –
San Diego served as the backdrop for more than 500 Reservists and their families during a Yellow Ribbon event, Nov. 12-14, 2010. Attendees came from Beale, Travis, March, and McChord Air Force bases.
The event educated Reservists on health care, financial services and much more.
Tech. Sgt. Stacey Jackson, a chaplain assistant with the 349th Air Mobility Wing at Travis Air Force Base, Calif. was there to let Reservists know the Chaplains' office can support their mental, physical, emotional and spiritual wellbeing.
"If they are getting ready to deploy, we let them know chaplaincy will be available to them in their deployed area, just like stateside," Jackson said.
In addition to the chaplaincy, education was another benefit represented at the event. Michael Orman, LA Film School Armed Forces liaison, spoke about classes for Reservists interested in the entertainment industry, including film, recording arts, video game production and animation.
"We are a truly military-friendly school," said Orman.
Financial teams were also at the event to help with travel vouchers and answer questions about finances.
Senior Airman Anton Banks, from the 940th Security Forces Squadron, mentioned he enjoyed the event and got lots of information. Banks, who recently returned from a deployment to Iraq, said he is going to take full advantage of the GI Bill to attend school.
Yellow Ribbon has a lot to offer, but there could be improvements made to the program, said Capt. Brandon Stepp, 940th Logistical Readiness Squadron commander. Stepp was attending the event after a deployment to Afghanistan.
"I thought there was a positive atmosphere," said Stepp, adding that more Reservists should be aware of the program.
"The overall awareness of what the program offers at the commander, first sergeant, and superintendent level could be a little bit greater."
The 940th Wing Yellow Ribbon representative, Master Sgt. Michelle Duchesne said she is working on making the program a household name among first sergeants, commanders and enlisted personnel.
"Our men and women who serve deserve the opportunity to find out about all services and benefits offered to them," said Duchesne.
For more information about Yellow Ribbon, go to
http://www.yellowribbon.mil/