Deployment Resources

These downloadable resources are designed to assist families as they experience deployments. Consider using the Bookmarks, Calendars, Pass-Along Cards, Postcards and videos upon receipt of deployment orders, when preparing to deploy or post-deployment.

Bookmarks
Download and print these Bookmarks, trim them along the blue dashed lines, and use them throughout your day. Post them on your refrigerator or bathroom mirror, or use them to mark pages in your cookbooks or address book.

Pre-Deployment: Relates to both parents (pdf)
Topics covered: Growing, Celebrating, Talking and Listening

Homefront parent (pdf)
Topics covered: Daily Life, Anticipation, New Beginnings, Sharing, Reaching Out

Deployed parent (pdf)
Topics covered: Keeping in Touch, Returning, Praising, Comforting

When printing Bookmarks as pdfs remember to select "Scale to fit page" or "Fit to page" in your print menu. Use the heaviest paper stock your printer will allow for durability.

Calendars
Download and print the calendars then fill in the month and corresponding dates. Post on your refrigerator or bulletin board and use the suggested activities and reminders to ease stress and improve communication.

Pre-deployment (pdf)
Positive Attitude During Deployment (pdf)
Comfort in Routine (pdf)
Dangerous Work (pdf)
Media Exposure (pdf)
Parenting During Separation (pdf)
Taking Care of Yourself (pdf)
Reunion (pdf)

Calendar pdf is 8.5 x 14" and should be printed on legal size paper.

Pass-Along Cards
Download and print these Pass-Along Cards. Consider carrying them in your wallet as reminders of the impact of deployment on children and share them with friends who have just received deployment orders.

Military parents can still be close... when they're far away (pdf)
Sign up for home duty. Be a relief babysitter (pdf)
Well deserved R&R can recharge your patience (pdf)
Stay in the front lines on the home front, version 2 (pdf)
Day to day stuff helps kids get through the rough stuff (pdf)
Bravery begins at home (pdf)
Heroes come in all sizes because being left behind takes bravery too (pdf)
The power of positive thinking produces heroes in all shapes and sizes (pdf)
Friends and family fill in on the home front. Help a deployed parent (pdf)

When printing Pass-Along Card pdfs, run page 1 through your printer and then run page 2 through on the opposite side and trim down to be approximately 2 x 3.25". Use the heaviest paper stock your printer will allow for durability.

Postcards
Download and print these Postcards and have children write notes and pack them in the deployed parent's duffel bag as a surprise; send postcards to friends and family to announce a deployment; send blank postcards with deployed parent to make letter writing easier; help children draw, color or write messages to mail to their deployed parent.

You are my hero (pdf)
Photos encompass: Asian-American family, Caucasian parent/three children at park, African-American grandparenting, Caucasian parent/child at a tree

You are my hero, version 2 (pdf)
Photos encompass: Caucasian parent/child on horse, Caucasian parents/child looking through fence, Caucasian parents/child on a slide, Caucasian parent with child on shoulder

You are my hero, version 3 (pdf)
Photos encompass: African-American parents & child, Caucasian child leaning on daddy's back as daddy watches soccer game, You are my hero postcard for child to draw their hero, You are my hero postcard for child to color

You are my hero, logo series (pdf)
You are my hero, coloring series (pdf)

Step into your child's world, logo series (pdf)

Step into your child's world, patriotic series (pdf)
Photos encompass: African-American father/toddler going down a yellow tunnel slide, African-American child on ground holding flag, African-American child on ground holding flag, African-American child standing holding flag

When printing Postcard pdfs, run page 1 through your printer and then run page 2 through on the opposite side and cut sheet down into 4 cards. Use the heaviest paper stock your printer will allow for durability.

Videos
Military Youth Coping with Military Deployment is a program designed especially for teenagers and young adults whose parents or family members are deployed.  The goal of this program is:

• to support you and your family
• to help you learn what to expect during deployment
• to help you develop skills to get through deployment successfully
• to help members of the community to understand what you and your family are going through