MURFREESBORO, TN. – Soldiers from the 1-230th Tennessee Army National Guard attended a day of reintegration briefings at the New Vision Baptist Church.  More than 450 soldiers and family members assembled for an exchange of information and were able to ask questions of representatives from 10 different service organizations. Members of the church provided the facilities and all technical support at no cost to the soldiers, and were very gracious hosts.
 
Once guardsmen and reservists return from deployment, families, friends and co-workers expect the service member’s behavior to return to normal because he/she has returned to American soil.  In many cases soldiers may experience anxiety and an odd sense of nervousness as observed from those around them.  The slightest noise or even traffic congestion may trigger a feeling of uneasiness or even panic.  For several months the service member lived in a foreign environment where different sounds may signal a small arms attack or a loud a noise, an exploding IED (improvised explosive device.)  These meetings are designed to help the soldier understand his/her feelings and aid in their reintegration back into civilian surroundings.

Members from the American Red Cross, TriCare, Veterans Administration, and the Public Health Department were a few who provided information and offered assistance to the returning soldiers and family members.  Less than ten soldiers had questions about employment rights and unemployment opportunities, but several took Patriotic Employer Award recommendations to complete for their employers.  Most of these soldiers are currently employed, but some returning units experience more than 50% unemployment.