Deployment Support

The cycle of deployment has changed. No longer limited to 180 days, deployments may stretch to nine or 10 months. The result has been an increase in the stress placed upon our military families. It is the mission of the Fleet and Family Support Center (FFSC) to provide programs and services that improve mission readiness by enhancing the resiliency of service members and their families.

The mission of the FFSCs Deployment Support Program is to offer support before, during and after deployment, to promote positive adjustment to deployment, separation and reintegration, to educate service members and their families about deployment-related challenges that they may face and the services available to them to cope with such challenges, and to ensure that ongoing outreach, communication, activities and events with deploying and deployed units, service members and their families throughout all phases of deployment to promote mission and family readiness.

Working together with Command Leadership, Ombudsmen and Family Readiness Groups (FRG), FFSC Deployment Specialists deliver CNIC standardized deployment support education and training worldwide.

View our page for further information.

FFSC Deployment Specialists help family members of the command begin to prepare for the return of their service member. Homecoming and reintegration program discussions include: reintegrating with partners, re-establishing intimacy, setting realistic expectations, addressing concerns and changes, and helping service members reintegrate with their children.

View our page for further resources.

In support of Individual Augmentee (IA) spouses and family members, the Fleet and Family Support Centers have developed programs directed at their specific needs, such as the IA Family Handbook, Deployment Readiness Briefs, Family Connection Newsletter and Families of Warriors in Transition Homecoming Program. 

For more detailed information for Sailors, families, commands and employers visit the Individual Augmentee website. 

Deployment Readiness Brief: Learn what happens once you receive orders, discuss challenges unique to an IA deployment and create a plan to ensure success.

• IA Family Connection: Meet to share challenges, joys and success strategies.
• Homecoming Brief for Friends and Family: Discuss ways to have a happy homecoming for you, your children and your Sailor.

FFSC Deployment Specialists help service members and families prepare for deployment and serve as a resource during a deployment. Programs presented during this phase include information on: document preparation, financial preparation, health care preparation, housing preparation, family preparation, resources for military families and pre-deployment checklists for single service members, couples, and single parents.  Call (757) 462-7563 for more information.

Reuniting after a long deployment is fun, exciting and one of the best things about Navy life. Enjoy homecoming and be prepared to renegotiate your relationship as you reconnect.

Check out the information at the links below.

Topics include:

• Hints for a happy homecoming – Reuniting after a long deployment is fun, exciting and one of the best things about Navy life. Enjoy homecoming and be prepared to renegotiate your relationship as you reconnect.
• Returning to children – Homecoming is an exciting time, yet can also be very confusing for kids. The following reactions are often observed in children when a parent returns from deployment. Remember, each child is unique. Your child may react differently.
• Returning to children: Strategies for single parents – If you’re a single parent in the military, you may experience some unique concerns about reuniting with your children. This document will help you address some of these concerns.
• Reunions may be more challenging than anticipated as sailors and family members adjust to life on shore together again. Your Fleet and Family Support Center offers tips to help make the homecoming smoother for all.
• Contact your local FFSC or MilitaryOneSource.com at 800-342-9647.

Fleet and Family Support Centers focus on families during deployments. We offer programs and services that will empower you, so take advantage of some of the many services available to Sailors and their families:

• Get to know your Ombudsmen. Make sure you’re a part of the communication link between your unit and your Ombudsman.
• Make friends and help others by becoming involved in your Family Readiness Group.
• Find a new job. The Family Employment Readiness Program can help.
• Volunteer!
• Get a handle on your finances. Get assistance through the FFSP's Personal Financial Management Program.
• Life Skills, such as anger management, parenting, stress and finances, can be learned and mastered.
• It’s absolutely normal to want to talk to someone when your spouse is deployed. Everyone needs to share feelings, to vent, to ask, to find solutions with people who can help. Your FFSC understands this. Call the FFSC counselors to make an appointment.