FORT HOOD, Texas, Dec. 16, 2004 – The 4th Brigade, 4th Infantry Division welcomed about 80 new soldiers and their families at a Newcomers Briefing Dec. 13 at the 4th Infantry Division Memorial Chapel.

The day started with a unit overview and Family Readiness Group information. Kathy Beech, spouse of Col. Michael F. Beech, Commander of 4th Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, and Army Family Team Building Master Trainer, teamed with Patricia Giese, Army Family Team Building Volunteer Program Manager, to conduct a short class on family and military expectations and the impact of the mission on family life.

Soldiers also received information on Family Advocacy, Financial Readiness and Child and Youth Services as well as other community resources. In addition, there was a mini-information fair to introduce Soldiers and their families to the community.

"We wanted to truly address their questions and allow them to put a face with the resources," Beech said.

Later in the afternoon there was a leader forum for senior noncommissioned officers and officers. The forum covered topics such as safety, the Family Advocacy program and the Army Substance Abuse program.

"We want to reach out and embrace soldiers and their families and connect them with resources and resolve issues so nothing falls through the cracks," Beech said.

A goal of the Newcomer's Briefing is to prepare soldiers and families for upcoming trainings and other situations.

"Solders came up to me after the briefing and asked how their wives could get involved," Beech said.

"I recommend coming to the Newcomers briefings

Soldiers are in-processed at the 4th Brigade Combat Team personnel office, and then are sent to their respective units at Fort Hood, Texas. U.S. Army photo

because it's valuable for them to connect with the unit and see what the community has to offer.

"We do truly care and want them to feel welcome," Beech added.

Rachel Voll, Family Readiness Group assistant for the new brigade, said she's excited to work with this group," said. "It's an exciting thing to bring soldiers and their families together to build a foundation of readiness, she said. "We hope to make these families self-sufficient and reliant and able to stand on their own.

"If a soldier's family is happy and he is confident that his family is okay, he performs his mission better," Voll explained.

More new soldiers are expected to arrive in 4 th Brigade after the New Year and the brigade plans on conducting monthly Newcomer briefings through March 2005. The next training will be in January.