DALLAS -- The stage was set; the tables were covered and the low roar of side chatter and laughter filled the room as Marines, friends and families took their seats. The conference was about to begin.
Marines of 4th Maintenance Battalion, 4th Marine Logistics Group were brought together in Dallas for a pre-and-post deployment conference sponsored by the Yellow Ribbon Program, April 29-May 1, 2011. The event was coordinated by Katie Toney, the family readiness officer for the battalion.
This event is especially appreciated and understood by Lt. Col. Mike Griffin, the commanding officer of 4th Maint. Bn. Griffin was mobilized in 2003 and again in 2005. During that time there was neither a family readiness officer nor a Yellow Ribbon Program for pre- and post-deployment.
“We had some pre-deployment training and some post-deployment programs, but nothing to the level that this program is doing now,” said Griffin.
Day one of the conference was set for meeting, greeting and registration. This was an opportunity for the Marines and their guests to get settled in their rooms and prepare for the events of the weekend to come.
Day two of the conference was a series of briefs that all Marines are required to have prior to deployment. These briefs included classes on such topics as combat operational stress control, deployment awareness, Tricare information, sexual assault, administrative and legal rights while deployed and more.
The third and final day was the highlight of the conference. This was an interactive workshop exercise in which a panel of Marines returning from their second, third and even fourth deployments answered questions from Marines and families preparing for their first deployment.
The workshop was set up as a question and answer open discussion. The topics consisted of what to expect while overseas, the kind of things Marines will see and deal with within the unit and abroad and what families should know and be ready for during the time their Marine is deployed.
“Overall I think this was a success. We’ve learned what works and what to work on for the next time,” said Toney.