Moody children step into shoes of deploying Airmen

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Brigitte N. Brantley-Sisk
  • 23rd Wing Public Affairs
MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  More than a hundred Moody children recently spent their Saturday stepping into the shoes of an Airman who is getting ready to deploy.

The Kids Deployment Line, sponsored by the Airman and Family Readiness Center and Moody Youth Programs, took place on Sept. 11.

"The goal of this is to educate children all about what their parents go through when they deploy," said Master Sgt. Stanley Byron, Airman and Family Readiness Center readiness NCO and one of the event's main organizers. "The theme for this year is 'Stepping in Their Shoes' because it gives the children an idea of what their mother or father goes through when they leave."

The day started off with an "in-briefing" by Senior Master Sgt. Victor Johnson, A&FRC superintendent. From there, the children were divided into four separate flights and rotated through the day's events.

The events included guest speakers, static and vehicle displays and military working dog demonstrations. For many children, this was their first time experiencing an event like the deployment line.

"I brought out my 2-year-old daughter Aset because I wanted her to get a feel of what we do," said Senior Airman Samantha Paschal, 23rd Logistics Readiness Squadron supply member. "I haven't deployed yet but when the time comes, she will be more prepared because of this."

Not only will the event prepare children for a deployment, it will help them understand what their parent goes through.

"It can be easier for the children to deal with their mother or father being gone if they understand about some of what they went through," he said. "That in turn makes it easier for the parent left behind because the child is more accepting of the situation."

After processing through the line, the children who were age 10 years old and up participated in Operation Respect, during which they "deployed" to Grassy Pond for the afternoon.

"Operation Respect is a great addition to the mock deployment line because of the realism it adds," said Nikki Bennett, Youth Center section chief. "They are actually separated from their family for a while, and even though it is only for a short amount of time, it adds an extra element to the whole day."

The participants learned about respect by a Family Advocacy spokesman and were able to do more activities, including scenarios involving land and water reconnaissance.

"The turnout for the Kids Deployment Line is always great and it's a wonderful program for Moody children," Sergeant Byron said. "Operation Respect is what truly sets us apart from other bases."