STILL SERVING AMERICA

Beyond the Yellow Ribbon

The Montana National Guard's Beyond the Yellow Ribbon initiative is split up into three phases:

• Before Deployment: Before deploying, soldiers and their families take part in a seven-hour "Pre-deployment Academy" where they attend workshops to learn about what to expect and the resources and benefits available to them.
• During Deployment: Two or three months before a unit returns home, soldiers' families undergo a four-hour seminar so they can learn about expectations such as post-traumatic stress disorder, marriage issues, counseling options and benefits.
• Post Deployment: 30 and 60 days after soldiers return home, they undergo intensive counseling and workshops with each other and with their families to deal with any problems, such as PTSD, alcohol and drug abuse, etc. They are also familiarized with benefits and services available to them as veterans.

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