Each branch of service has its own terms for the process Military Service Members go through when they are called to perform military service. VA for Vets defines the process as five phases:
Employment and Readiness
Begins initially when service members are hired by VA and ends when they receive written or verbal orders to perform military service.
Activities in this phase include:
- Completing any mandatory service training
- Completing any annual VA training such as USERRA training
- Enrolling in health and life insurance programs
- Creating/modifying personal documents (e.g., will, power of attorney) as needed
- Beginning a Transition Plan
Pre-Deployment
Starts when service members receive orders or notification to perform military service and ends when they depart from VA to their deployment assignment.
Activities in this phase include:
- Completing any mandatory service training and health checks
- Tailoring health and life insurance programs, as needed
- Updating personal documents (e.g., will, power of attorney) as needed
- Updating a Transition Plan
Deployment
Starts when service members depart from VA to perform military service and ends when they complete active duty. The only activity is performing military service during this phase.
Post-Deployment
Begins when the service members start the military out-processing procedures and initiates the transition back to VA employee status and ends when they return to VA employment.
Activities in this phase include:
· Completing any health checks
· Updating personal documents (e.g., will, power of attorney) as needed
· Reporting back to work or submitting applications for reemployment in a timely manner
Reintegration
Begins when service members complete active duty and ends when they determine they are fully integrated back into the VA workforce.
Activities in this phase include: