Deployment Phases

Deployment is the name given to the movement of an individual or military unit within the United States or to an overseas location to accomplish a task or mission.

There are 3 phases in a deployment and each phase has different challenges to be met:

Pre-deployment phase: this phase is designed as preparation for deployment and includes mental, physical and financial preparation. To help yourself prepare, as a family member, check out Pre-deployment checklist.

Deployment phase: When the deployment day arrives, there is usually family, unit, and community support. During this phase,
children and families of deployed military members reach different levels of
adjustment. Most people go through many different emotions during this phase, including relief, anxiety, enthusiasm, pride, and sense of abandonment. Remember that if it gets too much to handle emotionally/mentally you can contact your post chaplin or ACS. You can also try Military One Source. You may also find some tips here ---> Deployments and Marriage -- Impact and Coping Tips.

Post deployment phase: This phase may last for several months as you reconnect with your spouse/so. The ones left behind will be adjusting to sharing roles again. The soldier will be adjusting to the food, weather and routines back home and on the job. This can't be rushed so we must remember to be patient. I strongly suggest that if things seem too overwhelming to seek help from the many resources available to you and your family. Not getting the help you need when you need it will only cause problems.

Be aware of the impact that deployments have. Deployments cause stress due to change for both the service member and the family that is left behind. Regardless of the length of the deployment, the family will have to redistribute family roles (e.g., finances, the maintenance of the house and car, and the care and discipline of children). There are lots of factors that influence how we adapt/adjust to deployments and everyone handles stress and changes differently, but with support most people do fine.