Deployment Support

Regarding personal & family readiness, the ideal time to contact the Military & Family Readiness Center is when the military member is placed on mobility status. Contact is essential when the member is notified of TDY, deployment, or remote duty assignment that wills geographically separate the member from family for a period of fourteen days or more. The Military and Family Readiness Center will provide you with a readiness briefing tailored to fit your needs. The briefing will address key issues that may arise during the separation.

We can offer assistance or referral for these and other topics of concern:

• Planning finances
• Handling emergencies
• Family care plans
• Childcare planning
• Finding employment
• Dealing with stress

Hearts Apart Programs

While you are apart, the Military & Family Readiness Center is your link to a variety of services offered through the Hearts Apart Program and other base and local agencies. Spouses and family members qualify for many services.

Reunion Assistance

The reunion can be the best time after being away from your family, but can also be the most challenging. Your Military and Family Readiness Center has resources and information available to help members and their families prepare for their homecoming. These are some reunion issues to consider:

• Start planning early. Decide together what kind of homecoming you want; a big celebration or a small family get-together.
• Keep the communication going throughout your separation and share what you are doing, feeling and hoping.
• Openness will encourage fewer disappointments during reunion.
• Read letters you have received over again as the reunion draws nearer. It's one way of starting to grow closer again.
• Readjusting and reestablishing relationships will take time for everyone. The length of time it takes may vary between individuals in your family.

Personal & Family Readiness

Make sure the following is done before you deploy:

• Created and/or updated their will
• Initiated a power of attorney
• Safely stored important documents and told someone of the location
• Arranged for bills & taxes to be paid
• Updated their Emergency Data Information
• Ensured vehicle registration, insurance, and inspection sticker are current through projected return date
• Updated AF Form 357 (Dependent Care Certification)
• Provided spouse or family member with the phone number to the unit orderly room
• Ensure someone is familiar with Hearts Apart and services for spouses