IMMEDIATE RELEASE No. 212-08
March 17, 2008

Undersecretary of Defense David S. C. Chu today announced the formation of the Deployment Support and Reintegration Office within the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs.

The office, mandated in this year's defense authorization act, is an integral piece of the Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program. DoD's Yellow Ribbon Initiative is designed to provide support and outreach services to Reserve component service members, their families and communities throughout the deployment cycle.

This program places particular emphasis on preparing service members and their families for the stresses associated with separation and deployment, educating members and families about resources available to assist them, and connecting members to service providers before and during deployments. The focus shifts to reconnecting service members with families and communities for successful reintegration following deployment.

Reintegration program capabilities are already underway with services provided through the Joint Family Support Assistance Program and are currently being pilot tested in 15 states. DoD plans to expand this program beyond the pilot phase to all 54 states and territories.

DoD Announces New Reserve Component Deployment Support and Reintegration Office [ http://www.defenselink.mil/releases/release.aspx?releaseid=11763 ]