How to Prepare Your Family for a Military Deployment

Military deployments can be a challenging time for service members and their families. While deployments are a crucial part of military service, they require significant emotional, financial, and logistical preparation. Ensuring that your family is ready for the separation and the changes that come with it can make a big difference in how everyone handles the experience. In this post, we’ll explore practical steps to prepare your family for a military deployment and help you face the challenges with confidence.

Understanding the Emotional Impact of Deployment

Before diving into the practical preparations, it’s important to acknowledge the emotional aspect of military deployment. Both service members and their families experience a range of emotions before, during, and after deployment. Preparing emotionally is as crucial as making logistical arrangements.

• Emotional Preparedness for the Service Member: Deployments often evoke feelings of anxiety, excitement, and concern. Service members may worry about leaving their families behind or feel anxious about the unknowns they will face in a new environment.
• Emotional Preparedness for the Family: For families, particularly spouses and children, deployment can bring feelings of fear, sadness, and uncertainty. Children may struggle with the absence of a parent, and spouses often take on additional responsibilities during the service member’s absence.

Being aware of these emotions and addressing them as part of the preparation process can help make deployment less overwhelming for everyone involved.

Open Communication Is Key

One of the most important aspects of preparing for deployment is establishing open and honest communication within the family. Discuss the upcoming deployment with your spouse, children, and other family members so that everyone knows what to expect.

• Talk to Your Children: Children often sense when big changes are coming, and talking to them about the deployment can reduce their anxiety. Use age-appropriate language to explain where you’re going, how long you’ll be gone, and how they can stay in touch with you. Encourage them to ask questions and express their feelings.
• Stay Open with Your Spouse: It’s essential to have regular, honest conversations with your spouse about how both of you are feeling regarding the deployment. Address any concerns and discuss how responsibilities will be divided while you are away.
• Establish a Communication Plan: Ensure that your family knows how to reach you during deployment. Discuss communication methods such as email, video calls, or social media, and agree on a schedule for staying in touch. Knowing when they will hear from you can help reduce the stress and uncertainty of deployment.

Organizing Legal and Financial Documents

A critical part of deployment preparation is ensuring that all your legal and financial documents are in order. Having these organized will give your family peace of mind and make it easier for them to handle any issues that arise while you are away.

• Create or Update Your Will: Before deployment, ensure that your will is up to date. This will provide clear instructions regarding your wishes in case of an emergency. You can contact the legal office on base for assistance with drafting or updating your will.
• Set Up Powers of Attorney: Designate someone you trust to handle your affairs while you are deployed. A power of attorney allows your spouse or another trusted individual to manage finances, sign legal documents, and make important decisions on your behalf.
• Ensure Financial Stability: Review your family’s finances, and make sure all bills are set up for automatic payments or that your spouse knows how to manage them. Create a budget that covers living expenses, emergency savings, and any other financial responsibilities.
• Check Insurance Policies: Review your life, health, and home insurance policies to ensure they are current and provide sufficient coverage for your family. Make sure your family knows where to find these documents in case they need them.

Preparing for the Daily Routine

Military deployment often means that your spouse will be managing household responsibilities alone. Helping your family adjust to a new routine before you leave will make the transition smoother.

• Discuss Household Chores: Talk with your spouse about household tasks that need to be done and make sure they are comfortable with managing everything during your absence. If your spouse will be working while you are away, consider arranging help from family members, friends, or hired services to manage childcare, yard work, or other responsibilities.
• Help Your Children Adjust: Children thrive on routines, so it’s important to keep their daily schedules consistent during the deployment. In the weeks leading up to your departure, help your children adjust to any changes in the routine, such as after-school care or evening activities. Ensure they know who will take care of them in your absence.
• Make Time for Special Activities: Spend quality time with your family before you deploy. Create lasting memories by planning special activities, like family outings, movie nights, or game days. Having these positive memories can help children and spouses cope better during the separation.

Staying Connected During Deployment

Maintaining communication with your family during deployment can help bridge the emotional distance and reassure them of your safety. While you may not always have control over when or how you communicate, staying connected when possible is key.

• Write Letters or Emails: If video calls are not possible, consider writing regular letters or emails to your spouse and children. Share stories about your experiences, offer encouragement, and express how much you miss them.
• Create a Communication Schedule: While it’s not always possible to stick to a set schedule, try to establish regular check-ins, especially for important milestones like birthdays, holidays, or school events.
• Send Care Packages: Encourage your family to send care packages with small mementos like photos, drawings, or letters. You can also send care packages home with small gifts or souvenirs from your location.

Seeking Support from the Military Community

You and your family are not alone during deployment. The military community offers various resources and support systems that can help your family cope.

• Family Readiness Groups (FRG): Most military units have a Family Readiness Group that offers support and guidance to families during deployment. These groups organize activities, provide resources, and offer a sense of community for spouses and children.
• Military Family Life Counselors (MFLC): The MFLC program provides free, confidential counseling services to military families. This service is especially valuable if your family is struggling with emotional challenges during deployment.
• Childcare and Youth Programs: Many military installations offer childcare services and youth programs that provide additional support for families during deployment. These programs can offer children opportunities to stay engaged with their peers and participate in educational activities.

Planning for Reintegration

While deployment is a challenging experience, it eventually ends, and service members return home. Planning for reintegration can make this transition easier for everyone involved.

• Discuss Expectations for Homecoming: Before returning home, talk with your spouse and children about what to expect when you come back. It may take time to readjust to family life, especially if roles and responsibilities have changed during your absence.
• Give Everyone Time to Adjust: Reintegration can be difficult for both the service member and their family. Be patient as everyone adjusts to the new routine, and don’t hesitate to seek counseling or support if needed.

Conclusion

Preparing for a military deployment involves more than just logistical arrangements—it requires emotional readiness and clear communication. By addressing legal and financial concerns, adjusting family routines, and staying connected during deployment, you can help your family cope with the challenges ahead. Additionally, utilizing military resources and planning for reintegration can make the entire deployment experience smoother for everyone involved. Taking these steps ensures that your family is prepared, supported, and ready to face the journey ahead.