Deployment sucks. Period.
While it sucks, there are still SO many resources available to you as a loved one, official and unofficial.
I truly hope that these resources can help you find some peace, support, and hope through military deployment!
Please feel free to reach out to me if you have any other questions or need additional support.
Specific Branch Support
Air & Space Force
Deployment Support through the A&FRC – They provide pre-deployment readiness briefings, deployment education, and support to Airmen, Guardians, and their families through all stages of deployment.
Financial Readiness Support – They provide positive financial foundations at different points of life (such as marriage, deployment, and PCS) for Airmen, Guardians, and their families.
Key Spouse Program – This group establishes contact between spouses and unit leadership, and provides support to families.
Personal and Work-Life Program – Educating military members and their families in learning to cope with life events, such as seployment, and increasing their quality of life.
Army
Financial Readiness Support – They provide positive financial foundations at different points of life (such as marriage, deployment, and PCS) for Soliders and their families.
Mobilization and Deployment – Helping Soldiers and Families navigate the challenges of mobilization and deployment.
Soldier Family Readiness Group (SFRG) – A command sponsored organization that provides mutual support and assistance among Soldiers and their families. Find your SFRG group here.
Coast Guard
Ombudsman Program – This group establishes contact between the command and Coast Guard families.
Personal Financial Management Program – Ensuring that necessary financial resources are available to Coast Guard members and their families.
Spouse’s Club – Providing a support system and creating fellowship among spouses of Coast Guard members.
Deployment Support Handbook – This handbook contains resources and information that will help you prepare for deployment, handle the challenges that arise during deployment and successfully adjust during the return-and-reintegration phase at the end of the deployment.
Marine Corps
Unit, Personal, and Family Readiness Program (UPFRP) – This program provides opportunities to not just survive but to thrive while taking on the challenges of the military lifestyle, such as deployment.
Readiness and Deployment Support – A collection of trainings and briefs to help families cope with each stage of deployment.
Personal Financial Management – Providing personal financial education, counseling, and training to Marines and their families.
Navy
Deployment Readiness Support – Offering a variety of deployment support programs to assist commands, sailors and their families.
Individual Augmentees Support Program – Supporting family members of Individual Augmentees through the process.
Ombudsman Program – This program improves communication between the command and Navy family members.
Personal Financial Management (PFM) – Offering information, education, and training, as well as financial counseling, to address the financial education needs of Sailors and their families.
National Guard, Air National Guard, and Reserves
Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program – Connecting Guard and Reserve family members with resources throughout the deployment cycle.
National Guard Family Program – Supporting and educating families along the path of their National Guard life.
Air Force Reserve Deployment Support – This website provides resources geared specifically towards Air Force Reserve members and their families.
Marine Corps Family Programs – This website provides resources geared specifically towards Marine Corps Reserve members and their families.
Overall Deployment Resources
Staying Connected During Military Separation eBook – Michelle Bowler from The Waiting Warrior
Pre-Deployment Legal Paperwork Checklist – Article from Military OneSource
Pre-Deployment Date Night Questionnaire – Caylee from Hope Homefront
Post-Deployment Date Night Questionnaire – Caylee from Hope Homefront
Bloom & Brew: A Deployment Coloring Book – Coloring Book by Aubrey Boyer
5 Love Languages (Military Edition) – Book by Gary Chapman
Chicken Soup for the Military Wife’s Soul – Book by Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen, and Charles Preston
Vet Tix – An organization that provides tickets to events for service members and veterans.
Pillar Deployment Retreat – A free, digital retreat for military spouses that focuses on deployment.
More Blog Posts
A Large List of Official Military Programs
Supporting Other Lonely Milso’s Over Holidays
For the kids
Thrive – This website provides ideas for parents of military children ages 0-18 through deployment, reintegration, and moving.
Sesame Street for Military Families – This website provides resources for military children on topics such as deployment and relocation.
Child Care Resources – Article from Military OneSource
19 Must-Have Books for Military Kids During Deployment – Blog post from The Military Wife and Mom
Daddy Dolls – Custom dolls from Hug-A-Hero
I wish you so much peace, love, and comfort during this time of life.
