Sailors preparing for, and returning from, individual augmentee (IA) assignments got the opportunity to speak with counselors
and share their experiences at a Warriors Workshop, May 23.
Warriors Workshop is comprised of two portions, including a pre-deployment brief to prepare the Sailors for experiences they
may face and a post-deployment brief to show resources to help when they return from their deployment.
“The importance of this, especially for pre-deployed Sailors, is to get an idea of what it is going to be like out in the desert,”
said Senior Chief Culinary Specialist (SS) Keary Moran, Warriors Workshop counselor. “I tell them about some of the emotions
they will have when they arrive and how their bodies react to the environment and I let them know this is normal. I don’t downplay
what they go through, but we want to put some of their fears at ease.”
Moran, who served as an IA in Iraq, said there is not a lot of information about IA assignments, so it is good to talk to someone
who has experienced the deployment firsthand.
“You can read about an IA on the internet, but it is nice to talk to some who did it,” said Moran. “I have gotten phone calls and
e-mails from Sailors who thank me for what I told them and what they are dealing with is exactly how I explained it to them.”
“It’s not an easy transition from being a Sailor to becoming a fleet Soldier,” said Master-at-Arms 1st Class Joseph Chiaffino,
command master-at-arms of Intermediate Maintenance Facility, Bangor. “This program assists you with the transition and gets
you ready for your deployment by giving you a lot of information about where you are going.”
For Sailors returning from an IA, the post brief is required in intervals of 30, 60, 90 and 120-days follow-up. The post brief counts
as the 30-day follow-up and is used to identify people who may have stress or disorder after their arrival.
“Both briefs are important, but it is essential for Sailors to attend the post briefs and receive the one-on-one with a counselor,”
said Moran. “It’s a way to get them helped when they return; and those who need help, it keeps them from falling through the cracks.”
The workshop is fairly new, but participants are getting the word out about how the program has helped them and what it gives to
Sailors who may receive IA assignments.
“This is the best vehicle for Sailors coming back from IA assignments to evaluate themselves with others and let us know we are not
alone,” said Personnel Specialist 1st Class (SW) Marianogerard Zamora of Personnel Support Detactment, Kitsap and former IA Sailor.
“Given the experiences of various personnel throughout the past two years, I am glad to say the preparation the Sailors have received
has gotten better over time.”
“This program is a chance to speak with other IAs who share some of the same experiences, a chance to reintegrate, reunite, and
share ideas which may have worked with others,” said Machell Rodabaugh of Fleet Family Support Center. “Part of the reason this
program is so successful is because we’ve had support from different commands, and because it is very important that they know what
they are about to get into.”