CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait - Third Army has accommodated more than one million Servicemembers through the U.S. Central Command Rest and Recuperation leave program as of November at the Army Life Support Area in Kuwait.
"Third Army has revolutionized the R&R process," said Lt. Col. Maureen Bessingpas, theater gateway director.
Third Army has accomplished this by keeping Servicemembers moving.
"[The timeline is] under 48 hours," said Warrant Officer Sheree S. Johnson, deputy theater R&R program manager from Baltimore.
"[Servicemembers] go to the LSA and can fly out that same day, especially those in Kuwait," Johnson said.
In the past, some Servicemembers have been held up at the various hubs en route to their destination.
"We have gained efficiencies to ensure we return Soldiers to the battlefield as soon as possible with the R&R program," Johnson said.
"We all have to work together," she said.
Once Servicemembers arrive in Kuwait, Johnson explained what they can expect.
"They can expect to in-process and get their ID card scanned when they arrive at Ali al-Salem," she said. "They will be given when the very next R&R brief time is. They'll have to show back up at that brief time. It is the Soldier's responsibility to ensure that they report to that tent then receive that R&R briefing."
Over time, Third Army has gone through great strides to execute the R&R process with precision.
"The process is streamlined," Johnson said. "The process doesn't change, because the process is dictated by regulations and policies that are above Third Army. Third Army executes those policies and we inform the field of what those policies are."
But as Johnson emphasized, Servicemembers and Third Army R&R program managers must all work together to achieve their common goal.
"Get back to the mission," Johnson said. "They know that it's important to get out there and get your rest and recuperate, but it's just as important that you hurry up and get back in the fight."
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