Dealing with Deployment

One of the things someone who interested in joining the military should know is, "what is the likely-hood of deployment?" I am sure it is a question that a majority of those who serve hope that the chances are minimal. Deployment, especially during wartime is a reality that a lot of those serving have had to face. For those who have faced it more than once, their fight and courage surely can not be measured for what they have had to go through. Deployment not only affects the individual serving but for their families who have to face the heart-aching truth that they may be hurt and have faith and hope that they can just have a safe return. I hope that those serving our country overseas know our gratitude to them for dealing and going through a reality that no one back here in the United States can compare to, other than those who have served and fought a war.

"I have a friend in the military that is going to be departed next year. In such trouble time, I'm worried about his safety. If you are in need of a topic, maybe posting up something about others experience on being departed?"- Prescilla 

In response to a comment made by one of my classmates who has a friend ready to deploy, this blog conveys stories from family members dealing with their loved ones deployed as well as lessons/ tips for those who will/ have deployed. Transitional tips that have helped those who have gone through deployment deal and prepare for any possibilities. Preparation for deployment is the most responsible act that an individual preparing to deploy can do, for themselves as well as for their loved ones. 

In an article entitled Lessons from Overseas: Military Success Stories, it depicted ways people can be financially smart while deployed. Dealing with deployment can be hard enough on an individual, but being financially smart, having your finances taken care of, while deployed can help in the long run. Here are some ways, from the article that people have been financially successful from during deployment.

SINGLE, DEPLOYED AND FINANCIALLY RESPONSIBLE
There are also financial challenges for deployed service members who are single.
Because while deployment means a change in physical location and lifestyle, your stateside lifestyle – and bills -still need attention.
Navy Lt. Cmdr John Baehr almost got evicted while he was deployed to Kuwait for a year, due to a late rent payment on his stateside apartment. 
The solution: he began utilizing his bank’s online bill pay and got help from a friend back home to handle his finances.

MILITARY MONEY MANAGEMENT
So - start now and build solid plan for managing your finances long-distance, before your next deployment takes you overseas.
You can ask a trusted friend or family member back home to handle bill payments and other necessary tasks, using a power of attorney if needed.
Create a record of your accounts to give your at-home money management friend, and take a copy with you.
If you are married, make sure both you and your military spouse have your names are on all accounts.
If you’re a single military service member, eliminate rent and utilities. Storage spaces are cheaper and easier to maintain.
Set up automatic deposit accounts and online billpay, making your financial planning completely portable.
Notify all creditors and financial institutions of your deployment, leaving them with contact information if problems should arise.
Prearrange any benefits your family might be eligible for through the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act of 2004 and 2008

From a website of a syndicated columnist, author, and military wife, Sarah Smiley writes about being military wife. I found her website particularly interesting because as i was trying to find examples of family stories from those men and women deployed, I stumbled upon her site. Her site is like mine, personal and real. In it Sarah has depicted her life in the military. Alth0ugh not being in the service herself her life has known nothing else but the military. She grew up as a Navy brat--brat meaning, person whose parents have served in the military throughout their childhood---and then married a man in the Navy. There were a lot of useful information from her site that she has taken from her experiences as a Navy wife to let others like her gain perspective and can relate to. Under the link military families you could find information of what to do and what not to do for sending care packages for deployed loved ones, as well as suggested readings that military families can read and relate to. This is one subject of her work, where much of Sarah's writing isn't about the military, this site however is a helpful insight to the life of a military wife.


Being deployed can not be an easy process and life to live, whether you are the person being deployed or family of those who are, being far away for months, sometimes years at a time can be difficult. Even though it can not be the same as being home/ having them home, there is a lot of support out there for everyone. With so many deployed it is known that a majority of our country is going through the same reality and so can look and lean on each other for advice and support on this matter.