Question about soldiers returning home....

[rvdklok]

Just wondering what goes on when soldiers return home after a tour. Is it common practice for friends/familly to be waiting when they get off the plane? If so, does this take place in Trenton? Or where they're based? It is my understanding that the plane will land in Trenton first once entering into Canada.
Once they arrive in Canada, are they given 24 hrs to spend with familly? Or do they have to go to work immediately for debriefing etc. before going on thier leave?
When my brother returns from Afghanistan, we want to be there with him as soon as is possible within reason of course. Also, if it is common practice for familly to be waiting at the airport when the plane lands, then we want to be there as well, but if it's not, then we'll just pick him up in Edmonton when he's scheduled for his leave after the tour. The last thing we want, is for him to be "alone" while everyone else is with familly after doing 6 mths in Hell.
Any input would be appreciated.
Thanks.

 

[2 Cdo]

Being the army anything is possible! Some rotos come back, work for a week or two and then go on their post-deployment leave. Some rotos get to hang out in Diego Garcia and Guam for a week or so before returning to Canada! ;D

Your best bet is to keep in touch with your brother who should be able to keep you updated as to timings, dates and any other pertinent information. Good luck.

 

[rvdklok]

Unfortunately, he's not allowed to tell me anything. He called this morning, and said he couldn't say when he'll be home on his mid-tour leave, but it would be soon. Hopefully, when he comes home this month, he'll be able to say more.

 

[Armymedic]

At the end of the deployment.

Once troops arrive at their home unit, they are given the next day off as an administrative day, and then they must do 3 half days of postdeployment "decompression" (I forgot what that period is called). During those 3 half days, the do their medical screening, reintegrate themselves with their unit, sort out their post deployment leave plans and claims, and possibly get familiar with their new job for when they return.

Post deployment leave for Afghanistan has been 10 days (7 as directed, with 3 additional added by LFC or CDS directive), plus any annual days they wish to take.

In Petawawa, families are allowed to meet them at the Disembarking center on Base. Families/NOK are notified of their return timings and locations by Deployment Support Center or the unit.

For the leave, you may pick him up at whatever civilian airport he is arriving in.

 

[camochick]

Haywire, perhaps I am wrong but I thought everyone knew before they left when their hlta was. My husband is over there now and his coy all knew their leave dates but perhaps your brother does something else (I just know that I had to fib to his family as to when he was coming home cause I didnt want them to meet him at the airport with me cause they are crazy hehe). In edmonton, we have been told they are returning at the end of tour to the LTF but no dates have been released yet. Good luck.  >

 

[reccecrewman]

Armymedic - I believe the 3 day work period is called the "re-integration" period.  It's as much for the soldier's benefit as it is for his family, particularly men and women with young children at home.  It helps for the little one's to see mommy or daddy go out the door in the morning, dressed in combats, then come back home after some hours pass.  "See? Daddy's going to work, but look, he's home from work now, just like before"  As for the young fella that says he doesn't know or his dates haven't been released, he's undoubtedly referring to his final flight home date after the tour.  Everybody knows their HLTA dates before the tour starts so they can make plans with family or friends, but the flight dates at end tour seem to be one of the closest held secrets in NATO.  I found out my flight date to go home on July 23.......... The flight date was Aug. 7. (But then it got bumped back to the the 9th  : so it was kinda written in sand. D'Oh! One lousy day away from another FSP!  ;D )

Regards

 

[Gunner]

Haywire,

If your brother is from Edmonton, when he returns home this fall (august onwards), you will meet him at the Lecture Training Facility on the base (same place he departed from).  He will have the next day off and then will work the three 1/2 days as part of his reintegration process.  As others have stated he will be able to take leave after that is completed.   

camochick - redeployment and reintegration planning will commence shortly and you will see information begin to flow over the next month.

 

[simysmom99]

My dh was on Roto 0, and our HLTA was not released before he deployed.  Whether that was because of it being a Roto 0, or some other reason, I don't know.  However, they did give us lots of time to plan travel, and the travel folks were in Kandahar to help them plan and book stuff.  It was quite painless actually.  So, it is possible that they don't have firm HLTA dates yet.
As for coming home, usuall (as you all know, my dh didn't come home in the "usual" way) you meet them at the LTF.  Of course the soldiers can't say their travel dates for a number of reasons, mostly because of security for them, and those still in theatre.  However, the Deployment Services will contact you 24 hours prior to their arrival to give you details.  If you are in Edmonton, we have a great team based out of the MFRC on base, and they can answer many questions for you.  Except for: exactly when they get home.  Ahh, waiting.....

 

[JSR OP]

When I was overseas, about a year and a half ago, we didn't even think of when our HLTA would be until we had been there at least two weeks.  we were a small group, so we all submitted when we wanted it, and we tried to accommodate everyone who had a "special reason" for wanting a particular date.  Me, it was my son's birthday.  I didn't get it, but it was close enough.  He was turning 2 and didn't know the difference!

 

[muffin]

I believe the 3 day work period is called the "re-integration" period. 

I used to joke about the delay for re-integration. The first time I encoutned this "process" was around the same time the U.S. men returned from overseas and had "fatal domestic issues concerning thier wives" ... and I said "ok you get back Thurs and have to report on Monday morning to ensure you are all "hunkey -dorey" but for the weekend - you are my problem" lol

All in all I guess it does help break up the tension that accompanies the return.

As to the original question - for Bosnia we picked up hubby in Trenton when he returned. We knew the date about a week before he got back, and all the families were there to great them. For my Dad in Rwanda, they dropped him at the front door in MLVW if I recall - they even did an all-around defensive to entertain my sister and I (freaked the neighbors out though!)

I am sure that if he is able to tell you he will, otherwise, I am sure no one else will be able to tell thier families either and he will not be the only one there without a welcome party

muffin

 

[camochick]

Ok, to stop the panic I called the deployment support and they told me we would have our end date with plenty of notice to prepare for it. But I know how the military works so it could change at a moments notice, I wont rely on it until I actually see his cute little face (no one tell him I said that) in front of me. wheeeeeeeeeewwwwww >

 

[Pea]

I wont rely on it until I actually see his cute little face (no one tell him I said that) in front of me.

You can bet I will be telling him that when he is home... If MJP doesn't see it first that is... haha

 

[Centurian1985]

Not everyone knows when their HLTA is before they leave.  On my last big tour I didnt get it straightened out until after my second month in country.  This is also true for other deployments where the lennh of the deployment is uncertain or where single or small groups of soldiers are deployed to support larger units or allies already in a deployed area.