Army Announces Nine Month Deployment Period

                 The Secretary of the Army John McHugh announced today a change in the length of future unit operational deployments from 12 months to nine months.  This change will be fully implemented by April 2012, and applies to division-level-and-below units.  This policy will not affect personnel or units currently deployed or deploying prior to Jan. 1, 2012.  The deployment period for high demand and low density units and individual deployers will remain one year.
                 The reduced deployment length will improve soldier and family quality of life while continuing to meet operational requirements and is an important step in sustaining the all-volunteer-force.  This policy change is consistent with secretary of defense policies for utilization of the total force.  Implementation of this change is based on the projected demand for Army forces, and is contingent on global security conditions and combatant commander requirements.
                 For information regarding this announcement, contact Lt. Col. Craig Ratcliff, at (703) 697-7550, craig.ratcliff@us.army.mil.

Free Child Care During Deployments

Child, Youth and School Services has a whole lot to off the families of deployed soldiers. I encourage you to visit them and sign your kids up so you can take advantage of all their great services.

Caring Days (deployed status only): Spouses of deployed soldiers receive 16 free hours of respite care, per child, per month. This free child care is available from 7:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday at the Southwest Center (Building 7790). Care on Saturdays will be provided at the East Child Development Center (Building 6058) from 12p.m. to 7p.m. Care is provided in four – hour time blocks.   Reservations are required and can be made by calling 524-4218 or via email at CARSdeployedchildcare@conus.army.mil, however, for Caring Saturdays, the deadline for reservations is no later than 3 p.m. the Wednesday prior to the Caring Saturday being requested.

FRG Childcare Support is offered at the Southwest Child Development Center (Building 7790) or at the Family Readiness Center (Building 6237) for pre-deployment, deployment, and reunion meetings depending on the location of the meeting. Reservations are required and may be made through your FRSA.

 

Reunion Care: This care if offered 30 days prior to deployment and for 60 days after the last boot arrives by plane on the Installation. Choices for care are from 6:30 – 10:30p.m. for Friday (“Date Night”) at the Southwest Child Development Center. Daytime Reunion Care is provided at the Southwest Child Development Center (Building 7790) as well. Reservations are required and can be made by calling 524-4218 or via email at CARSdeployedchildcare@conus.army.mil.