TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- The 325th Force Support Squadron Youth Center and Airman and Family Readiness Center hosted the annual Jr. Raptor program at Tyndall, May 12.
Jr. Raptor is a program that provides Team Tyndall children education on the processes of going through a deployment. This experience gives military children an opportunity to experience a real-life scenario of what some of their parents go through as military members.
“As soon as the event begins, the parents have to leave their children behind, so for the kids, it truly is like a deployment,” said Rebecca Mroczkowski, 325th FSS community readiness specialist. “By the end of the day they will understand what their parents are going through when they have to leave on deployment.”
Along with Jr. Raptor, the A&FRC’s Hearts Apart program was a part of this year’s event. Hearts Apart is a program which hosts events specifically designed for families with loved ones who are deployed.
“I wanted to make sure that the Hearts Apart families got the chance to come and experience what their spouses are going through,” said Master Sgt. Kelly Turner, 325th FSS A&FRC readiness NCO. “I wanted dads and moms who have a spouse down range to come and have the opportunity to experience what their significant other is going through.”
The turnout was unexpected to the coordinators of the event. More than 50 children experienced a deployment out-processing line, learned military formation movements, watched a 325th Security Forces Squadron Military Working Dog demonstration, search and rescue operations and even had the chance to experience different military job duties.
“I think this program is really great,” said Connor, a Team Tyndall family child attending the event. “It’s a place to come have fun and experience what it is like to be in your parent’s shoes.”
What was surprising, was the amount of volunteers who came out to help said Mroczkowski. He said the event could not have been a success without the nearly 60 volunteers who helped organize different career booths, lead different age flights and demonstrate their mission.
Airmen from the 325th Civil Engineer Squadron, 325th Logistics Readiness Squadron, 325th Maintenance Squadron, 325th SFS and 337th Air Control Squadron answered questions and talked to children about the important role Airmen play in helping the Air Force mission.
“It’s the little things that add up to make a big impact in others’ lives,” Turner said. “Without the volunteers, an event as big as this could not have taken place.
“We want to make sure and let our families here know that we haven’t forgotten about them,” he added. “You are always a part of our community, and you remind yourselves that you are the most important asset to Team Tyndall.”