Reintegration Program WELCOME HOME, NELLIS WARRIORS! Nellis AFB, Nevada Reintegration Program 2004

What Next? Official Welcome Home Tips for Successful Reintegration Family Support Life Skills HAWC Chapel Table Talks Welcome Home Gift

RETURN READJUSTMENT REINTEGRATION 3 R’S of REUNION RETURN READJUSTMENT REINTEGRATION Family Support Center 2-3327

What is Reintegration? The PROCESS is the returning of airmen and civilians back into a stable and “normal” environment PREPARE families for the changes to their home life when the deployed airmen return. Remember upon your return you will achieve a NEW normal Reintegration is a SLOW process

Singles and Reintegration Practical tips: Put your house back in order New roommate New residence Recognize changes in yourself and in others Different living environment Social circle Assess and re-enter relationships Friends Family

Married Military Members Expect to return home to a different spouse For the first few weeks you are a guest in someone else’s home—act like it Understand your children’s responses Be gentle with your lover Go slow

Single Parents and Reintegration Custodial parent Non-custodial parent Strategies Communication Caregiver Child Bottom Line: Go Slow

Getting Back to Work Changes in work environment Change of work pace Mission/duty changes Resentment from co-workers Added work load due to TDY Deployment war stories Not part of “real” mission Staff turnover

Conclusion Redeployment / reintegration…sounds easy, natural, normal NORMAL may be quite stressful! Be patient and go slow! If you need assistance, ask! (chapel, unit, friends, life skills, medical personnel, family support center, etc.) Any deployment can be a building block or a stumbling block– it’s up to everyone involved

FAMILY REUNION POST DEPLOYMENT LIFE SKILLS 3-3880

Life Skills Support Center Variety of Deployment Locations and Experiences Life in Danger?? Bored out of your mind?? Significant Events on the Home Front?? Hard to predict how persons will react to deployments

Signs of Reintegration Stress Behavioral Cognitive Emotional

Behavioral Signs Changes in eating habits Changes in sleeping patterns Fatigue, lack of energy Jumpiness Frustrated, irritable angry Crying spells Avoidance of others Increase in alcohol use Disregard for rules, regulations, social norms

Cognitive Signs Poor concentration Difficulty making decisions Flashbacks Unwanted thoughts Nightmares Memory Problems

Emotional Signs Loss of purpose or direction Loss of trust/confidence in leaders Quick to anger, impatience Depression, sadness Frustration, irritability Worried, anxious, keyed up Guilt, shame

Significant Signs of Distress Post Traumatic Stress Definition Signs Bizarre or unusual behavior Domestic Violence Abuse of alcohol Thinking about suicide

Solutions Take care of yourself Communicate Mentally Physically Emotionally Communicate Develop or renew outside interests Allow for space and time Establish realistic expectations Think positive thoughts Seek help if needed

Resources Chain of Command / Supervisors Family / Friends Life Skills Support Center (Please call 653-3880)

Practicing Safe Stress Health and Wellness Center (HAWC) 3-3375

Thoughts and Stress ABC’s of Emotional, Behavioral and Physical Responses A—Activating event or stressor B—Beliefs, self-talk, thoughts -- Expectation of self, others, world -- Predictions of what will happen -- Judgment/evaluation of how good/bad C—Consequences/responses

Choose How To Spend Your Time And Energy Set priorities Create balance in your life -- Meditative/sensual mode Take time out -- Hobbies

Learn To Change Your Environment Replace passivity with assertiveness -- Saying yes, Saying no -- Keep to the point Talk things out Develop significant and supportive relationships -- Seek out others with similar issues -- Support group or professional help

Learn To Think Helpful Thoughts Stop and think Translate worry into action Rehearse mentally in preparation for situations Stop resisting reality -- Learn to let go Think positive -- Seek the higher power of humor Savor the little things

Learn To Relax At Will Take a simple 5 step approach Try progressive relaxation Do deep breathing exercises Try breathing to a count Use scanning relaxation Try imagery techniques

Build Your Strength And Endurance Nutrition Get plenty of exercise and physical activity

COMMUNICATION ROADBLOCKS & ENHANCERS Chapel 2-2950

Roadblocks to Communication High Risk Responses Diminish self esteem Trigger defensiveness, resistance, resentment Can lead to dependency, withdrawal, feelings of defeat, or of inadequacy Decrease likelihood that the other will find their own solution to their own problem Block feelings Reduce likelihood the other will constructively express their true feelings

Roadblocks to Communication Judging Criticizing Name-Calling Diagnosing Praising Evaluatively

Roadblocks to Communication Sending Solutions Ordering Threatening Moralizing Excessive Questioning (especially “Why?”) Advising

Roadblocks to Communication Avoiding the Other's Concerns Diverting Logical Argument Reassuring Roadblock #13: Telling other people they are sending roadblocks

Communication Enhancers LISTEN!! “I” MESSAGES Help you achieve what you really want: a warmer, closer relationship with another human being

Questions?

In conclusion… Again, welcome back Thank you for your service to your country Table Talks follow – group near the end of your table See FSC to sign for gift before you leave Remember, helping agencies are only a phone call away