Madam Chairwoman and members of the Subcommittee, thank you for the opportunity to speak to the issues regarding the care, treatment and benefits of our Soldiers, Airmen and families. Soldiers and Airmen of the South Dakota National Guard continue to answer the call on behalf of our Nation and State of South Dakota.  As you know, the National Guard is a dual mission organization.  We have a State mission supporting the Governor and our citizens in their time of need, responding to man-made and natural disasters of our state.   Our other mission is the Federal mission of reinforcing the Army and Air Force and their missions all over the world.  Since 911, the South Dakota National Guard has and continues to do a superb job answering the call, supporting our great nation. We currently have over 4100 Soldiers and Airmen assigned fortunately we are over 100% of personnel assigned and constantly rank within the top five states relating to recruiting and retention. The South Dakota Army National Guard has deployed over 3200 Soldiers which is over 94% of their personnel, while the South Dakota Air Guard has deployed over 900 Airmen which is over 90% fighting against the global war on terror. 

These unprecedented deployments required us to change the way we take care of our Soldiers, Airmen, and families. Before our units deployed, my predecessor, determined we should prepare ourselves for the return of these heroes and provide better assistance for their families. They held several mental health summits with the state’s mental health professionals, Veteran’s Administration officials, State Health officials, and the Veteran’s service organization. These summits helped us organize a plan for the reunion and reintegration of our Soldier and Airman. We continue to enhance our programs providing the best possible services, recently we revised our Reintegration program.

Reintegration and transition is a process rather then an event. We pave the road to reintegration even before the service members are deployed. We emphasize communications to family members and supply letter writing kits, morale purpose computers and free software for internet audio-visual sessions.

During the deployment, we continue building strong families through family readiness group activities and positive youth programs.

The program is most popular for the pre-deployment efforts but these could not be successful without a robust program that also address pre-mobilization and mobilization involvement.

We have an eight phases, Yellow Ribbon Reunion and Reintegration program

PHASE 1 - Preparation for the returning Service Members.

Phase to occur eight to twelve weeks in advance of Service Member Return. Focus on providing awareness to families about expectations of the return.

1. Send Families the Down Range to Iraq and Back Book or Courage After Fire Book 60 – 90 days prior to the returning unit. The book is accompanied with a letter encouraging the family to read and share with families both of the books cover topics of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and Transitional issues such as returning to community, employment, parental and spousal roles. The books offer insight on dealing with the challenges of deployment and well as resources available upon return to assist in the reintegration process.
2. Thirty to sixty days prior to the return of the deployed unit, a meeting for the awaiting Families is hosted by the Chaplain Team to discusses the emotional stages of reintegration. The focus of the meeting is to create awareness for all family dynamics; children, parents, significant others. The topics of discussion and provide education and awareness of the signs and symptoms of PTSD.
3. After the prior steps have been conducted (separate meeting) our Family Assistance Center provides entitlement and benefit information to the awaiting Families. The meeting is set up to provide an introduction of entitlements, resources and service agencies available to support our returning Veterans and Families. The following topics make up the agenda and the message is provided by the representative responsible for the service. The concept is truly surrounding “community partnerships.”

TRICARE – Health Care changes with reintegration
Education – entitlements for Veterans both State and Federal
Vet Center – services and resources available
Family Assistance Center - “easy button” easy access to support and resources
County Veteran Service Officer – the CVSO responsible for the returning unit and overview of VA medical centers
Employer Support – re-employment rights and contacts
Troop & Family counseling service
Military One Source and community mental health clinics.

PHASE 2 - Preparing the Community for the return

Reintegration extends beyond Families. The concept to offer training, awareness and support to our great South Dakota Communities building strength in our churches, employers and local businesses. WORK IN PROGRESS – working to identify solution and success.

PHASE 3 - WELCOME HOME – South Dakota READY

Welcoming our returning Service Members home at the Demobilization Station. Sending South Dakota representation to greet and provide contacts to Service Members as they prepare to return to home station. Representation sent to de-mobilization site; County Veteran Service Officers, Chaplain, Family Readiness Staff, SD National Guard Medical Staff. Placing a name with a face.

PHASE 4 – Deactivation Ceremony

The opportunity for South Dakota to reunite with returning Service Members through ceremony and local community events.

PHASE 5 - Outreach

Thirty to forty-five days upon Service Member return a letter is sent to the Service Member and Family reminding of support available. The letter highlights services, resources and “easy button” options available. Enclosed with the letter hand outs of Mental Wellness Offices, Strong Bonds advertisement and Family Assistance Center resources are included.

PHASE 6 – Wellness Call

A phone call made to the Service Member thirty to sixty days from release of active duty. The purpose of the call is to touch base, ensure Service Member knows support is a phone call away and offer answers to any pending questions, concerns or issues.

PHASE 7 - Reunion Drill

MANDATORY PARTICIPATION – First drill back Service Member required and Family (spouse and parents) invited/ strongly encouraged. The drill is family oriented and takes place away from the armory and at a hotel. The drill is a paid drill and reimbursement is provided to cover mileage, hotel expenses and child care is available to maximize participation from families. This event is all about the Military Family. The agenda of the weekend is as follows:

Friday – travel day and social event in the evening

Saturday – 9am start only one hour of presentation with introduction of all supporting offices and representatives.

Service Members and Families are provided with a checklist that has the following listed:

TRICARE
Family Assistance Center
VA Hospital
County Veteran Service Officer
Chaplain Office
Vet Center
Employer Support
Education
Counseling and Mental Health – Military Family Life Consultants
Community mental health clinics

After the introductions are complete Service Members with Family Members go to each one of the stations. The concept is to minimize Service Members from feeling uneasy about visiting with any one provider by requiring everyone to go to each station. This also allows for both the Service Member and his/her family to address questions and concerns direct to individual need. Breaking down intimidation barriers and ensuring everyone leaves with a great knowledge of available support and resources. Based upon the size of the event creates the number of representatives at each station. The goal would be for the Service Members and Families to continue to move freely from station to station and not a weekend of wait.

The only other group presentation is the mental wellness brief. Through the services of Military Life Consultants a Counselor(s) are brought in to have an interactive group session. The goal is to create a comfortable setting for open discuss about the transitions of deployment thus far and potential issues to come. Attempt to set up in a circle setting with counselor sitting within the group. Open discussions hopefully providing comfort in knowing “you are not alone” as well as creating an atmosphere to feel comfortable with sharing and communicating.

The First Drill Back occurs sixty to ninety days upon return from deployment. Loads of great information is available about resources, benefits and support. The most important function of the event is to provide our Service Members with the opportunity to reunite in a stress free environment with fellow Service Members, and just as important Families having the same opportunity to reunite with one another.

PHASE 8– Post Deployment Health Reassessment (PDHRA)

Medical Screening done at second drill back. Testing on many different levels from physical issues caused by deployment to mental wellness issues caused by deployment. Atmosphere is focused on confidentiality and encouragement to speak freely about needs. Matters brought up are identified and Soldiers are referred to the Veterans Administration. Education on Post Traumatic Stress Disorder to recognize within self as well as others and seeking support to address matters.

Prior to 911, the staffing of the South Dakota National Guard was either 1-2 people deep or non-existent concerning Veteran’s Services to Service members and Families.  Since 911 and the multiple deployments of our Guardsmen we have created a Family Wellness Branch. This branch consist of; our Family Programs, Veteran’s Transition Assistance, Chaplain, Funeral Honors, and Employer Support Guard/Reserve.

The creation of the Wellness Branch was designed to assist Service members, Families, and Employers during the entire period of service being performed by our Service member.  This innovative approach to a combined effort lessened the administrative burdens on the traditional administrative personnel sections, and provides a unified focus for benefits and services for the Service member and family.

I would be remised if I did not discuss a major issue facing our returning HEROES, post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Ever time I meet with Soldier, Airmen, and Veteran, I stress the important of obtaining help should you need assistance in regard to PTSD or any other reunion or reintegration issue. South Dakota is very fortunate that we have a wonderful Veteran Administration health care system and several Veterans Centers that provide outstanding service and support to our Veterans.

We continue to work on the stigma our service members feel about obtaining the necessary mental health care they require. We are grateful that the Department of Department’s decision to change a question on the government security clearance form referencing an applicant’s mental health history. “Question 21” on Standard Form 86 specifically asked applicants whether they ever received treatment for mental health issues. This is a big step toward removing the stigma relating to mental health care, since service members often feel they place their security clearance at risk should they seek mental health care.

I thank you, key members of Congress, for providing the funding for programs such as the Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program.   Programs such as these that care for our soldiers and families prior to deployment, during deployments and long after their return from deployment is critical to their proper reintegration back into their civilian careers.   As a nation we have come along way of taking care of those that are serving our country.  I thank all of you for the support you have given to our Heroes that have volunteered to serve their State and Country.  I thank you for the privilege and opportunity to be with you today.  I am very proud to wear the uniform and serve in the ranks of these great young men and women. 

Madam Chairwoman, this concludes my testimony.  Are there any questions?