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Get to know your 24th MEU DRC and MFLC

11 Jan 2019 | Lance Cpl. Margaret Gale 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit

CAMP LEJEUNE, NORTH CAROLINA – As a Marine Expeditionary Unit personal and family readiness is important. The 24th MEU’s Deployment Readiness Coordinator, Lisa Castleberry, and Marine Family Life Counselor, Anne Baldwin, are part of the 24th MEU team and offer communication and counseling services to Marines, Sailors, and family members of the MEU.
Castleberry, as the Deployment Readiness Coordinator, formerly known as the Family Readiness Officer, provides a constant presence to the families of Marines and Sailors during the deployment life cycle.
“I am a constant touch point,” Castleberry said. “I provide a variety of services, the most important one is the communication to let the families know what is going on throughout the deployment cycle. I really enjoy talking to parents. A lot of families don’t understand the military and I am able to translate the Marine Corps terms into things that they understand and can follow.”
The DRC is able to provide research and referral information to families to aid communication between the command and family members throughout the deployment life-cycle. She also supplies updates and good points of contacts for families to ask questions.
“A common misconception is we are here to only support the married Marines and Sailors,” said Castleberry. “We are here to support all Marines and Sailors. We communicate with the extended family members. Married Marines are required to add their spouse, but single Marines can add whoever they want”
Although the DRC and MFLC both support the Marines, Sailors and families for the unit, there are some differences. Baldwin, who serves as the unit’s Marine Family Life Counselor, offers a non-clinical, confidential counseling service to anyone in need within the unit.
“I am here to support the Marines individually or in groups and their families when in crisis or confusion,” said Baldwin. “Whatever the unease might be, I am here. If I am not able to fill their needs, I will go find that can.”
All services provided by the MFLC are non-medical. She does not diagnose or recommend prescription medications. As the MFLC, she is able to help service members and their loved ones with problem solving life skills such as daily stress, concerns, parenting, as well as issues in the military lifestyle like homesickness, relocation adjustment, and separation.
Castleberry has been a DRC for 11 years. To be added to the 24th MEU DRC’s authorized contact list, ask your service member to contact the 24th MEU DRC, Lisa Castleberry.
Baldwin is a licensed professional counselor with 28 years of counseling experience. For more information on the MFLC services, call 910-515-6854 or e-mail ABaldwin9@magellanhealth.com.