BAUMHOLDER, Germany - Reintegration may be new to some or it may be old hat to others, but like everything, there are always changes.
Family members received a list of "what they should know about reintegration" in their mailboxes at the Community Mail Room aimed at helping them understand the reintegration process their Soldiers will undergo upon returning to Baumholder.
"Reintegration is a process to ensure the well-being of Soldiers, civilian employees and families as they reunite after an extended deployment, and within a prescribed time period that supports the Army Deployment Cycle, seven half-days," said Bianca Bowen, director of Plans, Training, Mobilization and Security.
The process kicks off upon arrival with a welcome home ceremony at the Hall of Champions. Starting on Day 1, Soldiers are bused to and from the centers where they will be reintegrating. No Privately Owned Vehicles or family members are permitted in the those areas.
Jason Tollinchi, Company A, 2nd Battalion, 6th Infantry, who just returned from his third deployment explained, "The reintegration was quick. It was very informative, and their main goal was to ensure that we transition back into a non-combat environment."
He compared this reintegration with the previous two he had gone through. "It was very different from the first one I went through. There wasn't much of a reintegration back then.
"They have realized that Soldiers need to reintegrate into a non-combat environment," said Tollinchi.
During the seven-day process Soldiers are provided screenings and information briefings on everything from medical and dental issues to housing assignments and Community Mail Room box assignments.
"It was short and family driven. You came in and did what you had to do and then were released to spend time with your family," said Tollinchi.
The week ends with a medical follow-up and final checkout at the Warrior Processing Center in Building 8710.
Throughout the seven days Soldiers can also pick up information about TKS, Telekom, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Army and Air Force Exchange Service fuel card, Vehicle Registration, POV pick-up, Hometown News Releases and Friends of the Iron Brigade Association.
"We hope that this information is of help to you while your Soldier is undergoing reintegration," Bowen said. "Your assistance is essential in helping to ensure reintegration is quick and efficient. Our goal is to ensure that your Soldier and family are taken care of by the great professionals who are waiting anxiously to provide the best care to your returning Soldier and to your family.
"Once again, thank you for understanding that in order to proceed with order and efficiency, it is necessary to follow a few simple rules, such as not driving your spouse to the reintegration locations."
During reintegration AAFES is handing out Welcome Home Coupons. Some 3,600 10-percent-off coupons will welcome the troops back in Baumholder from their tours in Iraq.
"I'm happy to be back. I need to catch up with my daughter, I missed a year of her life. It was a long time to be away. I'm just excited to be home," said Tollinchi.
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