Deployment Support

Deployments are inevitable in the military and can be effectively managed with the right prepartaion. Fleet & Family Support Center (FFSC) staff assists command leadership to prepare single and married military members and their families for each phase pf deployment - before, during, and reunion/homecoming.  Understanding how to stay ready for deployments is key to successfully coping with the challenges of scheduled and unscheduled deployments.

FFSC provides the following support briefs during the stages of the deployment cycle:

• Pre-Deployment: This program covers topics such as the emotional cycles of deployment, financial management, children's reactions, combat stress and inventory of important documents. 
• Mid-Deployment: This brief is designed for spouses and children to assist with the ups and downs of a deployment. Topics could be on a variety of issues such as stress management, parenting issues, holiday blues, communication concerns and financial management.
• Return and Reunion: FFSC teams transit to meet ships at their last port call and then ride the ships back to homeport. Teams present trainings on such topics as returning to children, reestablishing intimacy, a variety of financial programs, combat and operational stress awareness, conflict management, and communication skills.
• Homecoming: FFSC works with command leaders and/or Family Readiness Groups to provide presentations in preparation for the homecoming of service members. Topics can include reestablishing intimacy, expectations, changes and children.

Couples and Deployment

Deployments can provide couples the opportunity to strengthen their relationship and experience personal growth.  This brief is designed to provide couples with tools to manage emotions and reactions associated with separation. It addresses mutual trust, communication, recognizing the positive aspects of deployments, expressing gratititude, and setting goals.

Children and Deployment

Hampton Roads’ FFSC provides age-appropriate materials for children whose parent is deploying. These materials are given out during the pre-deployment brief or during one-on-one consultations with our deployment specialists. F&FSC Hampton Roads has a puppet show geared to helping young children identify and relate to their feelings of concern, anxiety and other emotions or questions they may have about their parent's deployment.

Individual Augmentee Support

With the current demands and need for support for the global war on terrorism, many service members are being selected to serve as individual augmentees. This can be a voluntary or non-voluntary assignment depending on the skills needed. Contact FFSC Norfolk at 757-444-2102 for information regarding resources, support groups and any other questions you might have.