ADA spouses tour Fort Sill

By Capt. Corey RobertsonFebruary 7, 2013

Spouses tour
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

Whether you are a first time mover or a seasoned military family, moving to a military post can be very disorienting and frustrating. Often a building number is all you have as a guide to your on-post destination.

The 31st Air Defense Artillery Brigade launched its pilot "Newcomers Spouse Tour" last week. The tour is part of the brigade's Sponsorship and Integration Program, and was suggested by brigade family readiness support advisers and spouses. The spouse tour welcomed new spouses into the community and gave them a tour of the brigade and Fort Sill.

"We came up with this idea to make people feel more comfortable," said Cindy Morrissey, wife of Col. Michael Morrissey, 31st ADA Brigade commander. "We wanted to let them know all of the things that are available, because I truly believe if you take care of your mind, your body, and your spirit, that those deployments and everything that families face are easier."

The tour started at 31st ADA Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, where spouses visited the buildings and spoke with the brigade chaplain, military family life counselor and the brigade family readiness adviser.

The spouses then began their guided tour of Fort Sill, stopping at multiple agencies that assist with family readiness.

"I liked the Soldier's Closet, that was really nice," said Lupe Paulson. "I'm going to tell my husband about it so he can tell his Soldiers, and I'm going to donate a lot of stuff, too."

The tour ended at Garcia Dining Facility where the spouses ate.

Cindy Morrissey said she hopes the tour will help get Soldiers and their families more involved with the unit and the Lawton-Fort Sill community.