National Defense Authorization Act For Fiscal Year 2010

Floor Speech

NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2010 -- (Senate - July 23, 2009)

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AMENDMENT NO. 1780

Mrs. SHAHEEN. Mr. President, I wish to speak about an amendment that I have filed to the National Defense Authorization Act of 2010. The amendment is an attempt to improve our Nation's support system for our National Guard and Reserve members and their families. The amendment requires evaluating the Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program, and identifying programs that will make the program truly comprehensive.

Today, our military and our country have come to rely heavily on the men and women of our National Guard and Reserves to protect our national security. More and more, these citizen-soldiers and their families have gone above and beyond the call of duty to serve our country's interests, engaging in multiple deployments in dangerous regions all over the world. Since 9/11, we have seen this increasing reliance on our Guard and Reserves in States throughout the country. New Hampshire is no exception. Thousands of Guardsmen and women have already deployed overseas into combat areas. And more than 1,100 members of the 197th Fires Brigade were recently notified that they will be deployed to the Middle East sometime in the next year. This will represent the single largest deployment in New Hampshire's history. Although our Guardsmen and Reservists show unwavering passion and courage no matter their assignment, these men and women and their families did not sign up for this high number of dangerous deployments. It is our responsibility to make sure servicemembers and their families receive the proper services before, during and after deployment so that they can return to their normal lives.

The Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program provides important support services to Guard and Reserve members through informational events and activities throughout the predeployment and deployment phases, as well as after 30, 60, and 90 days upon their return. However, these programs--often held in an impersonal group setting--are not enough.

The National Guard in New Hampshire came to realize that, despite their best efforts, many of those who deployed continued to fall through the cracks upon their return. They realized that they needed a more intensive, more personal, professional, and persistent program which catered to individual family needs. The New Hampshire National Guard developed a pilot program to provide each National Guard and Reservist a professional ``care coordinator'' who is responsible for the kind of personal attention and support that is required to identify and support those who are struggling.

Though the names have been changed, the real-life stories of the New Hampshire Guard who have participated in the program are moving and demonstrate a clear need for creating a seamless, nationwide program.

In his twenties and a self-employed mechanic by trade, Sergeant Joe served in Iraq from 2006 to 2007. Prior to his deployment, he set up his girlfriend and her children in a rental apartment and gave his savings to support her while he has in Iraq. When he returned to New Hampshire, he suffered from ongoing back pain and PTSD that went undiagnosed; he found that his girlfriend had squandered his savings and defaulted on the rent; and that his business partner had closed up shop. Distraught but not defeated, he rented a room and tried to reestablish his business. Despite his best efforts, he has faced a series of jobs losses, bills he could not pay, increasingly severe PTSD, and, ultimately, eviction. The New Hampshire National Guard Chaplain eventually found out about Joe's circumstances and connected him immediately with a care coordinator. His personal care coordinator helped Joe turn his life around: she used emergency funds to provide a modest income and secure temporary housing; she connected him with medical and mental health services through the VA; and paired him with the Easter Seals job placement services that helped Joe get a less physically demanding, full-time job with benefits. Because of this safety net, Joe recently bought a home and is continuing treatment for his PTSD.

Because of the New Hampshire National Guard's unique partnership with the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services, Easter Seals in New Hampshire and 22 other civilian and veteran service organizations, Guard members and Reservists like Sergeant Joe are able to reenter civilian life.

However, there is a clear need to provide counseling and support services predeployment as well. As shown in the story of Staff Sergeant Mary, a single mother of two who is slated for deployment later this year, predeployment services create a foundation for parents and families to adjust to deployment while minimizing disruptions to their lives.

Mary, upon learning of her deployment, feared that she could not leave her children with her ex-husband and that she would be unable to fulfill her duty with the New Hampshire National Guard despite her desire to serve alongside her colleagues. Hesitant to take help from a stranger, she initially resisted meeting with her care coordinator. The coordinator persisted, slowly built a close bond with Mary, and designed a plan to address Mary's concerns. The care coordinator connected Mary to legal representation to negotiate how the children will be cared for while she is in Iraq--a necessary step to create a positive environment for Mary to leave her children. The coordinator also went to the children's school, met with the teachers and administration personally, and provided them with a direct link for communication and concerns while Mary is deployed. She also arranged counseling for the children so that they will have extra support while grappling with their mother's absence. Mary says that her care coordinator is a ``beacon of light'' who helps guide her through the challenges of being a single parent and deploying soldier. She finds comfort in knowing she has one person by her side throughout her deployment.

Unfortunately, the problems Adam and Mary faced are not unique. National Guard and Reservists nationwide face similar problems, and without programs like the New Hampshire National Guard pilot program they may fall between the cracks.

My amendment requires the Secretary of Defense to evaluate the nationwide Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program and to closely examine how states have filled gaps in the program to better serve our National Guard and Reserve members and their families. Furthermore, the amendment seeks to identify the best programs so that they can be replicated nationwide.

As we call on the National Guard and Reserve to protect the Nation at home and abroad, I call on my colleagues in the Senate to protect these brave men and women and their families to the best of our ability. We need to make sure our policies and programs are worthy of the great sacrifice of our citizen-soldiers.

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