Deployment: Expect the unexpected

  • Published
  • By Maj. Timothy Applegate
  • 436th Contracting Squadron
Are you ready to deploy? Is your spouse ready to deploy?

As a commander, I have had many occasions to deploy my troops and have asked these questions numerous times. However, I personally didn't fully appreciate the answers to those questions until recently when my spouse received a short-notice deployment tasking.

Deployments have always been a part of military life and are here to stay. Even though the air and space expeditionary force construct has provided us with more stability and predictability, we can never be too prepared. When my wife told me she had been tasked to deploy, there were many questions that popped into my head. When, where, and for how long? Then I started thinking a little deeper. What about our personal finances? Are our wills up to date? What will she need to take? The questions basically boiled down to two categories: job-related deployment concerns and personal concerns.

Together, my wife and I experienced firsthand what we, as commanders, had always known -- there is a vast network of military and civilian professionals on base to help you with your job-related deployment requirements.

There are many organizations, ensuring our members are able to provide airlift and agile combat support. These organizations include the medical staff at the clinic, intelligence and security forces, the family support center, supply mobility section specialists and the transportation management office staff, just to name a few.

Besides addressing your job-related concerns, you need to focus on your family.

It's important to address matters now to keep your spouse from worrying about home so he or she can concentrate on the job at the deployed location. Some things to consider are upcoming bills, payment plans for the government travel card, and child-care. And, although nobody likes to think about it, you need to discuss funeral arrangement preferences/expectations with your spouse.

We found the keys to a successful deployment are preparation and communication for all involved. A family needs to take the time to prepare for the deployment, before you get notified. Expect the unexpected.

A family that has physically and emotionally prepared for the separation will handle the separation much better than the family that didn't. Taking the time to talk with your spouse and children will ensure all issues are covered and contribute significantly in reducing the stress of deployment separation.

All deployments are stressful. Are you and your family mentally ready?

Remember an old saying, "We cannot change the wind, but we can always adjust our sails." (Courtesy of Air Mobility Command News Service)