How do I prepare for a family for deployment?

Life in the military is about being ready for deployment. You may be duty-ready, but don’t overlook preparations on the homefront….Make sure to:

Table of Contents

Update or create essential legal documents.
Organize your finances.
Prepare your family and children.
Create a family care plan.
Consider a contingency plan in case things change.

Can you bring your family on deployment?

Unfortunately, the whole idea of visiting your spouse during deployment is highly unlikely. There’s a reason the military isn’t sending you with them! If you were to be truly flexible enough to jump on a plane whenever your spouse says “Go,” you would still have a horribly priced plane ticket.

How often do Soldiers get to see their families?

every 2 to 3 years
An inevitable part of military life is moving often. Most military families move every 2 to 3 years, and some even more frequently.

Can you contact family while deployed?

If your spouse has access to a laptop or smartphone with Wi-Fi, FaceTime and Skype are effective ways to communicate regularly. They are completely free and combine the personal touch of a phone call with face-to-face interaction.

How do I prepare my wife for deployment?

Military Spouses: 15 Things to do to prepare for deployment

Make sure you have all your paperwork in order.
Become a joint account holder on your accounts.
Know your spouse’s social security number (and write it down somewhere secure).
Know every password (and pin number).

What is pre-deployment checklist?

Legal Matters Checklist Create and/or update your will. Consider establishing a joint bank account with your spouse so that bills can be easily paid. Review your current life insurance coverage. Confirm your Servicemembers Group Life Insurance (SGLI) beneficiaries are correct and update if necessary.

Can husband and wife deploy together?

Being a dual-military couple is one of the few instances where a military member has the chance to deploy with their spouse. With the Married Army Couples Program, which helps place married service members in proximal units, some couples have the chance to spend their time overseas together.

Is video calling allowed in the military?

The military doesn’t stop service members from using video chat. In fact, they encourage deployed soldiers to stay in contact with family and friends. There are phone centers and video chat stations set up in many locations.

Can you video chat while on deployment?

Many military installations overseas also offer free video conferencing to their service members. Facebook and other forms of social media can be terrific vehicles to communicate with your service member, family, and friends. Posting photos and deployment updates can streamline and personalize all communication.

What do I need to do before my husband deploys?

A predeployment checklist for you and your service member

File legal paperwork.
Update DD Form 93, “Record of Emergency Data” and insurance coverage.
Break contracts and pay future bills.
Create a family care plan, enroll in DEERS and update DOD ID cards.
Plan for “combat pay”
Figure out a communication strategy.

Can both parents be deployed at the same time?

Many Soldiers say the most difficult situation a dual military couple faces is when they have children and both parents deploy at the same time. Most often, dually-deployed parents choose to have close relatives take care of their children while they are away. Sgt. Frank Lopez and Spc.

What happens pre deployment?

Pre-Deployment. During pre-deployment, service members work closely with family members and loved ones to complete various tasks before deployment. It’s a busy time where service members undergo training, briefings, medical evaluations and counseling.

What paperwork do I need to do before deployment?

For service members and their partners, spouses, and loved ones: use the following checklists before deployment to ensure you have completed paperwork needed during or after you/your service member deploys. There are separate checklists for legal matters, family matters, personal property, financial matters, as well as a family care plan:

What should I discuss with my service member before deployment?

The American Red Cross offers this overview of practical matters you may want to discuss with your service member before he/she leaves on deployment. Being prepared to deal with challenges that may arise at home can give everyone some peace of mind and help the service member focus on his/her mission ahead.

How can I prepare my bank account for deployment?

If you have a safe deposit box, make sure a family member has a key. Create a record of accounts with account information and bill due dates—store in a secure place. Set up automatipayments for bills (if desired) and make sure the credit cards you are using will not expire during deployment.

How do I ensure military health coverage for me and my Children?

To ensure military health coverage for you and your children, register all dependent family members in Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS), and check to make sure all ID cards have not expired. Make sure Servicemembers Group Life Insurance (SGLI) is correct. Arrange for housing, food, transportation, and emergency needs.