Joint Base Charleston  Military and Family Support Center

Deployments are a way of life for military families and it is one of the most difficult aspects of the military life cycle. Our Readiness Program is designed to help the military member (single or married), as well as family members, understand and anticipate the physical & emotional demands associated with deployment.

The Readiness Program offers education to help the military members and family members understand the deployment mission; help military members and family members understand the emotions they will undergo before, during, and after deployment, provide financial, emotional and emergency support to family members managing the separation.

Pre-deployment preparation is a key factor in making your deployment less stressful for you and your family. Deployment readiness is a personal responsibility and should not be something you wait to do until you hear you are being deployed - by then it is too late to be fully prepared.

The JB Charleston Military and Family Readiness Center at the Air Base gathers family contact information at the mandatory pre-deployment briefing. This information is used to stay in contact with family members during the service member's deployment. Information is also provided to the deploying member and families that includes:

• Website resources and information on dealing with deployment and reunion/reintegration.
• Hearts Apart Events - Free events connecting families of those affected by deployment.
• Pillowcases - Photos of you and/or family printed on a pillowcase to keep loved ones near while separated.
• Little Heroes Ceremony
• Personal Financial Readiness Counselors - Help obtain information and guidance on just about any financial issue such as budgeting, reading a Leave and Earning Statement, consumer issues such as car/house buying etc.
• Pre-Deployment Workshops
• Reintegration Workshops

Due to no ships being stationed at Naval Weapons Station Charleston, deployment support addresses the needs of installation Individual Augmentees (IA) and family members who have relocated to the Charleston area. The IA coordinator at the NWS knows of all families via NFAAS. The IA Coordinator keeps families informed of workshops, family events, and resources via email, telephone calls, and mailings.

Each unit also has a Key Spouse/Ombudsman which are formal liaisons between unit spouses/families and leadership. They are trained volunteers that provide a vital link between families during deployments. Contact your unit or the M&FRC to get contact information for your units Key Spouse/Ombudsman.

For more information please call the Military & Family Readiness Center at 843-963-4406 or 843-794-7480.