Deployment Support

Deployments are an inevitable part of military life. Despite the challenges of separation and change, deployments can be managed. Information, planning and skill building are the keys to managing the deployment. Working in concert with command leadership, the Family Readiness Group and ombudsmen and the Fleet and Family Support Center can help provide the necessary information and practical skills that allow service members and their families to cope with deployment challenges. Contact FFSC Yorktown at 757-887-4606 or visit the Commander, Navy Installations Command website for information regarding resources and support groups, and any other questions you might have.

Years of experience and knowledge about the deployment process make it possible to design a series of informational programs and support services. FFSC provides support during the three stages of the deployment cycle:

• The pre-deployment program covers topics such as the emotional cycles of deployment, financial management, children's reactions, combat stress and an inventory of important documents. 
• The mid-deployment brief is designed for spouses and children, to assist with the ups and downs of deployment. Topics could be on a variety of issues such as stress management, parenting issues, holiday blues, communication concerns and financial management.
• For return and reunion, FFSC teams ride the ships back to their homeport and present such topics as returning to children, reestablishing intimacy, a variety of financial programs, combat and operational stress awareness, conflict management and communication skills.
• For homecoming, the FFSC can provide presentations to the Family Readiness Group in preparation for the homecoming of their service members. Topics can include reestablishing intimacy, expectations, changes and children.

Children and deployment

The Fleet and Family Support Centers of Hampton Roads provide 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. FFSC 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 nonvoluntary assignment depending on the skills needed. Contact FFSC Yorktown at 757-887-4606 or visit the FFSC website for information regarding resources, support groups and any questions you might have.