'ONE-STOP SHOP' FOR GUARD MEMBERS, FAMILIES
Wednesday, January 21st, 2009 -- 2:42 PM
As thousands of Wisconsin citizen soldiers continue their training in Florida, the Wisconsin National Guard is deploying a new program for service members and their families."Without the family-member support, we don't have the service member. Without the service member, we're unable to meet our mission," explains Major Jackie Guthrie of the Wisconsin National Guard.
The new Service Member Support Branch (SMSB) provides ?one stop shopping? for resources offered to guard members, their families and employers.
"We've brought all existing services, and a few new services, under one umbrella," she says, "so service members and their families don't have to go to several locations, or call several places to get the services they need."
For instance, by calling the SMSB, members can get information about employer/guard member relations, child care resources, emotional support and counseling.
Guthrie says the roughly 3,500 32nd Red Arrow Brigade members are currently training in Florida.
"I hear the weather is not as nice as they would have hoped. It looks like they brought the cold weather with them," Guthrie jokes.
The Guard is planning a February 17th send-off in Madison, then it's on to Texas for two months of training, before deployment to Iraq.
"They're having some fantastic training. They're going through a lot of different exercises to practice their combat skills," she says.
The 32 Brigade includes units in Neillsville, Abbotsford, Eau Claire, Arcadia, Marshfield and Wisconsin Rapids.
Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.