Deployment affects a family's financial situation and child care needs, and can require relocation for the spouse and children. It also affects people emotionally when they have to deal with a long separation. It requires planning and preparation to cope effectively before, during, and after a deployment.

Deployment affects a family's financial situation and child care needs, and can require relocation for the spouse and children. It also affects people emotionally when they have to deal with a long separation. It requires planning and preparation to cope effectively before, during, and after a deployment.

Until recently, there was usually a period of one to two years between deployments. Troops and families had time to prepare, see that affairs were in order, and discuss expectations and coping strategies. Now that deployments may be extended or occur in quick succession, service members and their families must always be deployment ready.

Preparation for deployment includes practical preparation, financial readiness, personal preparation, and emotional readiness. A deployment checklist available from the service member's command or the family support center is a useful tool in preparing for deployment. Some of the most important items on that checklist are as follows:

• practical preparation - be sure that contact information, page 2 record of emergency data, ID cards, insurance, wills, and powers of attorney are up to date
• financial readiness - consider how deployment will affect finances including budget, allotments, taxes, and expenses such as increased phone bills or additional childcare
• personal readiness - preparation at home such as taking care of home repairs and vehicle maintenance, and gathering together items for the service member to take on deployment including uniforms, civilian clothes, and health and comfort items
• emotional readiness - it is difficult to be emotionally ready for a deployment but trust, open communication, discussion of expectations, and developing a support network will help

Until recently, there was usually a period of one to two years between deployments. Troops and families had time to prepare, see that affairs were in order, and discuss expectations and coping strategies. Now that deployments may be extended or occur in quick succession, service members and their families must always be deployment ready.

Preparation for deployment includes practical preparation, financial readiness, personal preparation, and emotional readiness. A deployment checklist available from the service member's command or the family support center is a useful tool in preparing for deployment. Some of the most important items on that checklist are as follows:

• practical preparation - be sure that contact information, page 2 record of emergency data, ID cards, insurance, wills, and powers of attorney are up to date
• financial readiness - consider how deployment will affect finances including budget, allotments, taxes, and expenses such as increased phone bills or additional childcare
• personal readiness - preparation at home such as taking care of home repairs and vehicle maintenance, and gathering together items for the service member to take on deployment including uniforms, civilian clothes, and health and comfort items
• emotional readiness - it is difficult to be emotionally ready for a deployment but trust, open communication, discussion of expectations, and developing a support network will help

Individuals move through similar emotional stages when trying to cope with a deployment. Some commonly identified stages include:

1. Anticipation of Departure - feelings and emotions include denial, anger, and possibly excitement
2. Detachment and Withdrawal - service members focus on readiness and families may find themselves detaching and distancing to deal with sadness and anger
3. Emotional Disorganization - once the deployment is underway, those at home may feel overwhelmed and confused
4. Recovery and Stabilization - routines are set, confidence returns, and coping mechanisms are in place
5. Anticipation of Return - excitement and happiness about the reunion
6. Return Adjustment and Negotiation - renegotiation of roles and expectations
7. Reintegration and Stabilization - relationships and roles reestablished

Individuals move through similar emotional stages when trying to cope with a deployment. Some commonly identified stages include:

1. Anticipation of Departure - feelings and emotions include denial, anger, and possibly excitement
2. Detachment and Withdrawal - service members focus on readiness and families may find themselves detaching and distancing to deal with sadness and anger
3. Emotional Disorganization - once the deployment is underway, those at home may feel overwhelmed and confused
4. Recovery and Stabilization - routines are set, confidence returns, and coping mechanisms are in place
5. Anticipation of Return - excitement and happiness about the reunion
6. Return Adjustment and Negotiation - renegotiation of roles and expectations
7. Reintegration and Stabilization - relationships and roles reestablished

The Family Care Plan designates the people who shall provide care for the service member's children or other dependents that rely solely upon the service member for financial, medical, and logistical support in the absence of the service member due to military duty. Dual military couples and single service members with dependents are required to complete a Family Care Plan.

The Family Care Plan designates the people who shall provide care for the service member's children or other dependents that rely solely upon the service member for financial, medical, and logistical support in the absence of the service member due to military duty. Dual military couples and single service members with dependents are required to complete a Family Care Plan.

Depending on their age and developmental level, children will react differently to the upcoming deployment. No matter what the child's age, there are a number of things that can be done to prepare children for an upcoming deployment:

• help children feel safe - share information and help children understand (in an age-appropriate way) what the service member will be doing during deployment
• help them understand the facts - explain the mission, have them help with preparations
• help them understand how deployment will affect them personally - what changes will occur at home (chores, responsibilities, traditions)
• help children handle their emotional reactions - encourage the expression of feelings

While a parent is deployed, the stay-at-home parent or guardian can help children cope successfully by:

• answering their questions
• maintaining a routine and keeping rules consistent
• being patient
• helping children stay connected - developing rituals, tracking time, and finding ways to creatively communicate with deployed parent
• preparing both children and the deployed parent for homecoming - how children have changed, new routines, etc.

Depending on their age and developmental level, children will react differently to the upcoming deployment. No matter what the child's age, there are a number of things that can be done to prepare children for an upcoming deployment:

• help children feel safe - share information and help children understand (in an age-appropriate way) what the service member will be doing during deployment
• help them understand the facts - explain the mission, have them help with preparations
• help them understand how deployment will affect them personally - what changes will occur at home (chores, responsibilities, traditions)
• help children handle their emotional reactions - encourage the expression of feelings

While a parent is deployed, the stay-at-home parent or guardian can help children cope successfully by:

• answering their questions
• maintaining a routine and keeping rules consistent
• being patient
• helping children stay connected - developing rituals, tracking time, and finding ways to creatively communicate with deployed parent
• preparing both children and the deployed parent for homecoming - how children have changed, new routines, etc.

Coping with all the emotions as well as the practical aspects of work, family, finances, and home can be challenging during a deployment. The following suggestions can help make coping easier:

• recognize emotions that are normal and common- excitement, sadness, loneliness, anxiety, etc.
  
• take care - learn stress management techniques, eat right, get enough rest, exercise, seek out support
  
• establish goals - identify goals to achieve during the deployment such as taking a course or learning a new skill
  
• be safety conscious - learn how to stay safe at home, in the car, and out in the community

Coping with all the emotions as well as the practical aspects of work, family, finances, and home can be challenging during a deployment. The following suggestions can help make coping easier:

• recognize emotions that are normal and common- excitement, sadness, loneliness, anxiety, etc.
  
• take care - learn stress management techniques, eat right, get enough rest, exercise, seek out support
  
• establish goals - identify goals to achieve during the deployment such as taking a course or learning a new skill
  
• be safety conscious - learn how to stay safe at home, in the car, and out in the community

Deployed service members and families both anxiously anticipate reunion. The thoughts, plans, fantasies, and worries of all family members need to be considered. It is normal to be both excited and apprehensive. Consider the following:

• changes - How have partners and children changed? What new roles have been assumed? What will be the reactions to these changes? It is important to prepare by communicating in advance so there are no surprises. Everyone will need to adjust as relationships are re-established.
• communication - It can be a challenge to once again communicate face-to-face with a partner. Be clear, listen, share feelings, and remember to negotiate.
• intimacy - Concerns and anxiety about re-establishing intimacy are common. Communicate openly and listen to and be respectful of concerns and worries.

Deployed service members and families both anxiously anticipate reunion. The thoughts, plans, fantasies, and worries of all family members need to be considered. It is normal to be both excited and apprehensive. Consider the following:

• changes - How have partners and children changed? What new roles have been assumed? What will be the reactions to these changes? It is important to prepare by communicating in advance so there are no surprises. Everyone will need to adjust as relationships are re-established.
• communication - It can be a challenge to once again communicate face-to-face with a partner. Be clear, listen, share feelings, and remember to negotiate.
• intimacy - Concerns and anxiety about re-establishing intimacy are common. Communicate openly and listen to and be respectful of concerns and worries.

During deployment, many service members have experiences, thoughts, and feelings that are normal reactions to the abnormal circumstances of being in harm's way. Anyone may be affected, even those with only minimal exposure to combat or threatening situations. Common reactions include physical distress such as fatigue, headaches, and sleep disturbances; cognitive reactions such as memory problems, loss of motivation, and flashbacks; and emotional reactions such as fear, anger, depression, and guilt. Positive ways of coping with these reactions include rest, exercise, social involvement, and accepting help when necessary. Negative coping mechanisms include substance abuse, risk-taking behaviors, and anger at others.

Although these reactions are normal, they may become problematic and impair one's ability to effectively manage day-to-day situations at home or at work. In some instances, individuals may suffer more severe reactions including combat stress or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). PTSD is a debilitating condition that can occur after exposure to a terrifying event. Those suffering from PTSD have persistent, frightening thoughts and memories. It is critical that those individuals whose reactions are negatively affecting them at home and at work get help. Help is available through the service member's command or the Medical Treatment Facility.

During deployment, many service members have experiences, thoughts, and feelings that are normal reactions to the abnormal circumstances of being in harm's way. Anyone may be affected, even those with only minimal exposure to combat or threatening situations. Common reactions include physical distress such as fatigue, headaches, and sleep disturbances; cognitive reactions such as memory problems, loss of motivation, and flashbacks; and emotional reactions such as fear, anger, depression, and guilt. Positive ways of coping with these reactions include rest, exercise, social involvement, and accepting help when necessary. Negative coping mechanisms include substance abuse, risk-taking behaviors, and anger at others.

Although these reactions are normal, they may become problematic and impair one's ability to effectively manage day-to-day situations at home or at work. In some instances, individuals may suffer more severe reactions including combat stress or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). PTSD is a debilitating condition that can occur after exposure to a terrifying event. Those suffering from PTSD have persistent, frightening thoughts and memories. It is critical that those individuals whose reactions are negatively affecting them at home and at work get help. Help is available through the service member's command or the Medical Treatment Facility.