Photo By Staff Sgt. Shawn Morris | Command Sgt. Maj. James P. Wills, command sergeant major of the Army Reserve’s 99th...... read more read more
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KING OF PRUSSIA, Pa. – One Army Reserve leader made things personal during the 99th Regional Support Command’s Yellow Ribbon event held at the Radisson Valley Forge Resort here July 10-12.
Command Sgt. Maj. James P. Wills, command sergeant major of the 99th RSC, told the story of his best friend’s struggles early in his Army career when programs such as Yellow Ribbon did not exist.
“I’ve got a good friend of mine who came from “no-man’s land” in a southern part of West Virginia,” Wills said. “I don’t know if you know anything about West Virginia, but there are certain parts of it that are pretty devastated. For an individual to get out and do something with their life is a struggle for a lot of folks.
“Most of the people in his family were probably coal miners or blue-collar workers who had strived to try to make it,” he continued. “Nobody in the family had a college degree or college education, and very few had probably completed high school.”
Educational opportunities are a key facet of the Yellow Ribbon Program, which is a Department of Defense-wide effort to promote the well-being of reserve-component service members and their families by connecting them with resources throughout the deployment cycle. Through Yellow Ribbon events, service members and loved ones connect with local resources before, during and after deployments.
“So after a few mishaps and some personal issues, he worked every job that he could, joined the Army and had the opportunity for a deployment,” Wills said as he continued to share his friend’s journey, adding that times got tough upon returning from deployment.
When reserve-component Soldiers came home from deployment prior to 2008, programs such as Yellow Ribbon did not exist. They often had to fend for themselves when it came to issues such as finding jobs, re-adjusting to civilian life and dealing with post-traumatic stress.
“During this period of his life, he first-handedly dealt with everything from somebody in the family dealing with drug abuse, suicide – you name it – to probably losing their home,” Wills said of his friend.
During Yellow Ribbon events, resiliency experts are on hand to help Soldiers and family members deal with issues such as drug abuse and suicide.
“We’re going to touch on some Master Resiliency Training this weekend, and what I want to tell you is that suicide rates are somewhat trending in the wrong direction,” Wills explained. “It’s important we understand that this room is more than just a bunch of individuals– you’re family – you’re an Army Family. You’ll get the information here this weekend to know who to go to in order to help that brother- or sister-in-arms.”
Financial counselors and other subject-matter experts are also available during Yellow Ribbon events to advise Soldiers and their spouses on topics ranging from mortgage management to retirement planning.
“Family programs were non-existent 20 years ago, so if you were a spouse, you really had nobody to reach out to,” Wills continued. “It’s probably as important, if not more important, for the spouses to take this information home with you because you’re the one that often times has to be that pillar of support to your Soldier.
“We couldn’t do what we do without you, and it’s important that we recognize you for what you sacrifice to support us to continue to serve,” he added.
Wills’ friend continued to serve and enjoy success in his career as a Citizen-Soldier.
“That individual prevailed after a few bumps along the way, and – through some educational programs provided by the Army – was able to get his master’s degree in education and two undergrad degrees in English,” Wills said. “Also, the individual was able to successfully work throughout the government system.”
Another benefit of the Yellow Ribbon Program are the career opportunities offered by private- and public-sector community partners who answer questions and accept applications during the events.
“That’s what Yellow Ribbon is about – this weekend, there are some opportunities that are going to be right in front of you, that if you don’t embrace it, shame on you because it’s a great opportunity,” Wills said. “After being in the army for 31 years, I’m still learning about programs that are out there.”
As Wills’ concluded his remarks, he surprised the audience by introducing them to the person they had come to know over the course of his friend’s rags-to-riches story.
“That individual happens to be my ‘best friend’ standing right here in front of you today,” Wills said, gesturing toward himself as he stood alone at the front of the room.
“The Army Reserve has a lot of great opportunities for you,” said Wills, a command sergeant major who had once been that impoverished young man from West Virginia who decided to join the Army, face adversity, get an education, become an entrepreneur, and finally give back to the young service men and women who are beginning their own life’s journey.
| Date Taken: | 07.13.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 07.13.2015 15:13 |
| Story ID: | 169887 |
| Location: | KING OF PRUSSIA, PENNSYLVANIA, US |
| Web Views: | 498 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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