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Military Children Step in Their Parents’ Boots

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The 325th Force Support Squadron and the base Family Readiness Center gave military children the opportunity to experience what their parents go through when they deploy overseas during the annual Jr. Raptor deployment experience event held May 6 at the Tyndall Youth Center and Silver Flag Field here.

Sidney Dew, a Tyndall Jr. Raptor participant, tries on a protective mask used by firefighters at the Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., Silver Flag site May 6, 2017. Dew was one of 63 children who had the opportunity to experience what it is like to walk in a military member’s boots as part of the annual Jr. Raptor program. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Sergio A. Gamboa/Released)
Sidney Dew, a Tyndall Jr. Raptor participant, tries on a protective mask used by firefighters at the Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., Silver Flag site, May 6, 2017. Dew was one of 63 children who had the opportunity to experience what it is like to walk in a military member’s boots as part of the annual Jr. Raptor program. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Sergio A. Gamboa
Sidney Dew, a Tyndall Jr. Raptor participant, tries on a protective mask used by firefighters at the Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., Silver Flag site May 6, 2017. Dew was one of 63 children who had the opportunity to experience what it is like to walk in a military member’s boots as part of the annual Jr. Raptor program. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Sergio A. Gamboa/Released)
Jr. Raptors
Sidney Dew, a Tyndall Jr. Raptor participant, tries on a protective mask used by firefighters at the Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., Silver Flag site, May 6, 2017. Dew was one of 63 children who had the opportunity to experience what it is like to walk in a military member’s boots as part of the annual Jr. Raptor program. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Sergio A. Gamboa
Photo By: Senior Airman Sergio A. Gamboa
VIRIN: 170506-F-IH072-275

Jr. Raptor is a program that has been going on for over a decade, benefiting military children by providing educational and hands-on activities with what some of their parents do to support the Tyndall mission.

‘The Child Gets to See What Their Parent Does’

“The child gets to see what their parent does, but typically won’t get to see what other parents do,” said Rebecca Mroczkowski, 325th FSS community readiness specialist. “[Jr. Raptor] gives them an idea on how to talk to other children and understand what their parents do when they are gone or at work. It’s an eye-opening experience for them.”

More than 60 children, ranging from first grade to high school seniors, experienced a deployment out-processing line, learned military formation movements and watched a 325th Security Forces Squadron military working dog demonstration.

Children participating in the Tyndall Jr. Raptor program hosted by the 325th Force Support Squadron Youth Center receive a briefing on firefighter equipment at the Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., Silver Flag site May 6, 2017. Members from the Det. 1, 823rd REDHORSE Squadron gave the 63 Jr. Raptors in attendance a tour of the different equipment they use, including different military vehicles. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Sergio A. Gamboa/Released)
Children participating in the Tyndall Jr. Raptor program hosted by the 325th Force Support Squadron Youth Center receive a briefing on firefighter equipment at the Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., Silver Flag site, May 6, 2017. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Sergio A. Gamboa
Children participating in the Tyndall Jr. Raptor program hosted by the 325th Force Support Squadron Youth Center receive a briefing on firefighter equipment at the Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., Silver Flag site May 6, 2017. Members from the Det. 1, 823rd REDHORSE Squadron gave the 63 Jr. Raptors in attendance a tour of the different equipment they use, including different military vehicles. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Sergio A. Gamboa/Released)
Raptors Walk
Children participating in the Tyndall Jr. Raptor program hosted by the 325th Force Support Squadron Youth Center receive a briefing on firefighter equipment at the Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., Silver Flag site, May 6, 2017. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Sergio A. Gamboa
Photo By: Senior Airman Sergio A. Gamboa
VIRIN: 170506-F-IH072-265

“It looks like it takes hard work to be in the military,” said Savion Dew, a Jr. Raptor at the event. “It was really fun to see how K-9’s attack people who don’t listen to security forces here, and is a good thing to know what will happen if you don’t.”

Various Activities

Approximately 30 volunteers painted faces, organized children into different age groups, and participated in physical exercise training and tug-of-war competitions.

“I heard good things about the event, so I decided to come out and support,” said Air Force Senior Airman Brittney Centers, 325th SFS response force leader and volunteer. “I recently got back from deployment and it was really fun to see the children experience this event.”

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