Combat Care keeps the family first

  • Published
  • By Verla D. Davis
  • 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England (USAFENS) --  The Combat Care program continues to take care of family members left behind when the military member deploys. The combined team efforts of the family support center, unit commanders, first sergeants and key spouses, shorten the distance for families during times of separation.

“The program centers around the entire family as a whole and their well-being,” said Tech. Sgt. Merlin Choice, family support center NCO-in-charge of Combat Care. “We start with briefings prior to the member’s departure to prepare them and their families for the months that lie ahead.”

The program eased the concerns of a grandmother who was unfamiliar with the military community and local customs and traditions here in the United Kingdom.

“I was at first a bit overwhelmed with taking on the responsibility of two little ones and learning my way around a new culture,” said Edna McMonigal, whose daughter Tech. Sgt. Carmen Clemsic, 48th Fighter Wing command post, recently returned from a four-month deployment. “The willingness and openness of all who helped was truly a comfort.”

Ms. McMonigal said the phone calls from her daughter’s first sergeant were reassuring. The e-mails she received from the key spouses kept her informed of base activities; and the moral support she received from Sergeant Choice was outstanding.

“You couldn’t find a better liaison for the community,” she said.

Additionally, family members are given free monthly dinners at the Knight’s Table dining facility; coupons for free child care once per month; three, 15-minute morale calls per week to the deployed member; Army and Air Force Exchange Service and 48th Services Squadron coupons and other pamphlets with helpful information.

Upon their return, the military member must attend four-days of reintegration briefings to help prepare them to merge into their family life and their duty stations. Spouses are invited to attend on day four of the briefing.

“It reminds them of the importance of communication,” Sergeant Choice said.

The briefings are also held for child care providers and Department of Defense Dependent School teachers.

“It helps them to understand what to expect from the children and reminds them this is a process and not an event,” she said. “Making special contact with the family to let them know we care and that we are here to support them is the key to the success of the program.”