Homecoming Reintergration

December 10, 2010

Washington Artillery Family,

We have had a great month so far with completing our transfer of authority ceremony and now we are making our movements to Camp Shelby. Soldier spirits are high and everyone is looking forward to getting home. The hard part is waiting on air travel to get there!

As I have done in the past few months, I would like to address a few more issues relating to family reintegration. These ideas have been shared with your soldiers during their redeployment briefs, but they might need some reminding of them when they get home!:) Here are a few last minute reminders for when your loved one comes home:

1. Remember it takes time to re-integrate. I have told soldiers that they need to imagine themselves as a guest in their own home for at least the first few weeks. New schedules have been formed, personalities have changed, and routines may have been altered. Literally life has moved on, and no soldier can just pop back into their home life overnight. So, remember to take time, slow things down, and allow things to move slowly during the first few weeks.
2. Remember to make quality time for special people. Soldiers need quality time (not just quantity!) with the significant people in their lives. Watching sports with a beer in hand and the family in the room is NOT necessarily quality time. Activities that allow the family to rebuild relationships and get to know one another again are the best things you can do. Take time and schedule such events during the first few weeks of being home.
3. Remember to re-kindle the romance. My last column focused a little on rebuilding intimacy in the marriage. Here is another tip: remember what first brought the two of you together (whether married, dating, or engaged). Some marriages are brought together because of common interests, and others because of common activities. What brought you and your significant other together? Take some quality time and rebuild your romance and relationship by going back to why and where you first fell in love!
4. Remember the roller coaster of emotions. Re-integration can be filled with various emotions: excitement, loneliness, fear of expectations, etc. Believe me, as I have been talking to soldiers and spouses alike, you are not alone in the emotions you may be feeling. That is why we tell families to slow down and take time slowly. Lean on some other National Guard families and share your emotions and experiences. Talk things out with friends, and especially your soldier.

The best way to sum up the time we all are about to go through is to say that re-integration is a process, not an event. It takes time to welcome a soldier home. When you prepare for the process, it can be a wonderful time of building great memories when welcoming your loved one.

Above all, please know of our prayers for all the families as we come home. Take advantage of the family and marriage weekends that will be offered when we return. And, if we can do ANYTHING at all, please contact myself or someone in the battalion leadership. We are here for you as we all come home!

Blessings and prayers,

Try Us!
Chaplain Brooks
1-141 Field Artillery Battalion