Deployment Support

Deployments can be challenging, particularly if you are not familiar with some of its effects or know where to find the resources when you need them. The Fleet and Family Support Center offers Pre-deployment, Mid-deployment, Homecoming, and Return and Reunion briefs. Individual consultations are available to educate and support both the service member and family members on how to prepare for a successful and fulfilling deployment. FFSC also provides individualized deployment support to Individual Augmentees and their families.

A command may contact their FFSC command representative to schedule a brief or training event. When an FFSC representative attends a command-sponsored presentation, they will bring a variety of resources for service members and their families to take home, including a deployment calendar, a mission readiness guidebook, age-appropriate children's activity books, information on the emotional cycles of deployment, return and reunion books, and other resource information.

For all deployment support questions and requests, please contact 360-257-6289 or 360-257-2271 to connect with your command representatives.

The United Through Reading program is also available at the FFSC with a dedicated recording room and mobility to travel to command spaces.  To schedule a recording session or for questions please call the FFSC at the numbers listed above.

Pre-deployment Briefs

Usually, the command organizes a presentation with the FFSC as one of many guest speakers before workups begin. The FFSC has a menu of content areas that include power point, documents and databases that provide success strategies, resources and operational stress control needed to cope with and manage the challenges involving finances, communication, emotional cycles of deployment and children's reactions.

Mid-deployment Briefs

These briefs are usually set up by the Command Ombudsman and Family Readiness Group and are designed to help spouses and children cope with the ups and downs of deployment. Topics discussed include stress management, parenting, holiday blues, communication, deployment finances, and more.

Homecoming Briefs

The Command Ombudsman and the FRG may request a presentation to assist service members and their families in preparing for the homecoming. Topics include homecoming expectations, re-negotiation of roles, communication, emotional cycle of deployment, and more.

Return and Reunion classes

During the transit home from deployment, it helps if our sailors discuss how things may have changed in their personal and family lives as well as in the local community. Upon the command's request, the FFSC will send a team of consultants and counselors out to the ship or deployment site to conduct classroom training and individual consultations with the purpose of building resilience and supporting a successful homecoming for single sailors as well as those with children and significant others. Topics include: Singles Returning to Homeport, Reintegration with Partners, Reintegration with Children, New Parents, Reintegration Stress, Suicide Prevention, Car Buying, and more.

Children and Deployment

The FFSC in partnership with the school liaison officer and our local school districts, hosts several deployment support groups during the school year. These eight-week support group sessions help military kids explore and embrace their uniqueness and collective support for one another. The group fosters resilience, helps develop coping skills, and provides instruction and understanding of the cycle of deployment.

Individual Deployment Support for IA Deployments

Your FFSC’s Deployment Support Team provide individualized support for IA sailors and their family members, to include pre, mid, and post deployment support and work closely with NAS Whidbey Island Command Individual Augmentee Coordinators to provide support, services, and program updates.

Operation Uplift

Morale, Welfare and Recreation's Operation Uplift program supports service members and commands with equipment support for the following moral events:

• Command Picnic and Holiday Event support
• Homecomings and Change of Commands

Operation Uplift’s office is located at the Liberty Center Northwest in the Admiral Nimitz Galley. Visit them Monday through Friday or call 360-257-3309 to plan support.

Ombudsmen and Family Readiness Groups:

• Ombudsmen are the liaisons between the command and command families. Ombudsmen provide information and referral, official command communication, are mandated reporters, and support to all command families. They are a critical link to support families during deployment and at home.
• Family Readiness Groups provide the social and morale boosting support to families during deployments by hosting social events.
• Ombudsmen and FRGs work together to provide command families with the most comprehensive support!