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Prepare Your Family for Your Upcoming Deployment--Part 2

by Josh Hilborn
Military Network Columnist

So now that the day of your deployment has arrived and you have made sure that your spouse, family, and loved ones are prepared with the support and resources they will need, how will you deal with the actual separation? While deployment is one of the hardest parts of being a soldier--especially with a family--you must stay positive in order to perform your duties.

What to Do During Deployment

Try to have as much contact as possible with your family during your deployment. Because phone and Internet access are not always readily available, always write letters back and forth with your family. Unfortunately, due to security reasons, there may be times when you will not have any contact. Always keep in mind that this is only temporary and won't last forever.

The End of Your Deployment

The day you and your family have been waiting for: homecoming. Your deployment is over, you get to be with your spouse and family again, and all your problems are solved.

Think again! Just as you had to adjust your life to leaving, the same can be said for your return. After a long separation, it will take some time to readjust to the normalcy you had before your deployment and to reconnect with your family, especially your children. Take this period slowly and try to understand your family's feelings and emotions. They have not seen you in person for several months or more, and also need time to readjust.

There are many things you and your family can do to ease the transition before and after deployment. The military offers a range of support resources before, during, and after deployment, so never feel alone. You will also want to remember this experience and learn from it, as you never know if and when you could get deployed again.

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About the Author
Josh Hilborn is a freelance writer in Reno, NV. He served in the United States Army for several years as a Wheeled Vehicle Mechanic, stationed in Babenhausen, Germany.

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