FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. -- As units assigned to the 101st Airborne Division prepare for their next "Rendezvous with Desitny," the struggle to put normal life on hold is felt by all.
Divorced soldiers, singles and single parents make up a significant portion of the ranks. Their normal life gets suspended just like their married comrades.
The Fort Campbell Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers program is in place to assist in meeting the quality of life, recreation and community involvement needs of unaccompanied soldiers. The BOSS program looks out for the welfare of all single soldiers whether in garrison or deployed.
One of the most difficult aspects of getting ready for a deployment, particularly for single soldiers, is getting good information.
"I try to get them the right answers to their questions," said Spc. Gary Yim, B Company, 96th Aviation Support Battalion, 101st Combat Aviation Brigade, 101st Airborne Division's installation Better Opportunity for Single Soldiers vice president. "I try to engage the chain of command and get good information about what single soldiers need to do to properly prepare for a combat deployment."
The chain of command is only one source of information in the process of achieving and maintaining readiness.
"A lot of my buddies in the barracks complain about family readiness group meetings being mandatory," said Yim. "I'd rather them go and be bored than miss important information."
While the flow of information is critical to preparing for a deployment, it is also essential to maintain morale. That sense of well-being starts at the squad or section level.
"The commander and first sergeant got together and did a barbecue for lunch," said Pvt. 1st Class Zachary Allen, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 101st CAB intelligence analyst. "I have a really good team in the intelligence shop. I've only been in the unit three weeks and I see first sergeant every day, he's always checking up on us."
Morale and motivation at work can certainly elevate a team's ability to endure the hardships of a deployment, but the process of preparation can be exhausting to single soldiers as well. Soldiers also need opportunities to relax and spend time with their peers outside of work.
Spending time with family is high on single soldiers' priorities, said Dhayana Estrella, HHC, 101st CAB BOSS representative. When soldiers are under a lot of pressure preparing for deployment and can't get away from work as much as they would like, BOSS provides them with opportunities to blow off steam.
Even with numerous deployments, the Wings of Destiny has always looked out for the well being of their single soldiers.
"The 101st CAB's command group has always supported BOSS," said Spc. Lance Christie, HHC, United States Adjutant General, Fort Campbell installation BOSS president. "The 101st CAB has always maintained a strong presence in the BOSS program."
Through good information flow and ensuring that all soldiers have sufficient time with their families, the Wings of Destiny are building a cohesive and resilient force ready to succeed in all of their missions.
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