Step 4: Pre-Deployment

Putting it all in order

While you await your Guard Member’s potential deployment, it is critical that everyone understand the responsibilities and challenges that lie ahead. Sending your Guard member off on their mission can be a rollercoaster of emotions. Knowing everyone is taken care of and all paperwork is in order brings the family together, and helps Guard members prepare to serve.

Operation R.E.A.D.Y.

This program stands for ‘Resources for Educating About Deployment and You’ and offers Deployment Survival trainings which helps you understand what to expect during the deployment and offers a checklist to ensure that you are more prepared for the upcoming separation as well as the new personal responsibilities.

Click here for a checklist , which includes Auto, Finance, Legal, Medical, etc. Time should be taken also to discuss the important items that may be of concern in case of mobilization. This proactive step will lessen concerns and can increase confidence.

Communicate as a Family

You and your family are going to have a lot of feelings, and finding time to talk about them is as important as getting your finances in order. If you have children, encourage them to talk about the deployment, encourage them to ask questions. Pre-deployment briefs may also help you prepare and stay close at the same time. Talk to each other about:

• Planning for Military Separation
• Coping with Separation
• Children and Separation
• Pre-Deployment Financial Planning
• Financial Planning for the Future

For any specific questions, please contact your Family Program Office