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.

MY Recruiting process step 4: Enlisting and DEP

It took exactly a week to get three major processes done when enlisting in the Navy. It was exactly a week from when I went to MEPS that I stepped into the Navy recruiting office asking for information on joining the Navy. A week Later I signed an temporary 8 year contract to be in the Navy, 4 years of active duty and 4 years of reserved duty. I say temporary because my recruiter did not want me to leave MEPS without a job and so had me sign a contract while I wait for a spot to open up for the job field I wanted.

Going into the Navy recruiting office I knew what  wanted, to be in the navy but only if I would be in the job field that I wanted, if not than I would wait until that job field opened up. I knew I did not want to just to anything that was open just to be in the Navy, which was fine if  I just wanted to do anything, but that wasn't the case. I wanted to be in the medical field to gain as much experience as I can to be a Nurse after the Navy. I wanted to work in a field I could use after I leave the Navy and that I can use for my future.

A week and 4 days later I got the call I wasn't expecting for at least weeks to come. The both the Chief at MEPS and my recruiter called me during class and left me a voice-mail. I quickly dismissed myself from class just to call them back, not even waiting to hear what they had to say from the voice mail. I got the news that came within a week of my whole Navy recruiting process to receive. I was fortunate enough to get a position in the October 25, boot-camp ship date to go train straight after to be a Hospital Corpsman (HM). I will be able to gain experience in the navy to be a medical care-giver, to be a medical specialist, that will serve aboard ships or on land to any enlisted, government affiliated, and or family member associated with the military.

The next step in my enlistment process is possibly the most important. After enlisting and once my recruiter asked "Are you ready to be in the United States Navy," and one hand shake and a signed contract to sign the deal I am officially in the Navy. However, since my ship date is not until October 25th, 2011 I am considered to be in the Delayed Enlistment Program. This means that from now till my ship date I need to make sure I follow three things, as stated by recruiter; 1- do not get in trouble with the law, 2- do not do any drugs and if I choose to drink, drink responsibly, 3- do not get pregnant. I think as a female he was more concerned with number 3. He said with guys he was more concerned with them breaking 1-3-- with 3, getting someone pregnant before shipping out for number three. Being in DEP i had to report to my recruiter for a check in every Monday and have a meeting with all the DEP's once a month. I'll only get to attend 1 DEP meeting here in San Francisco because ill be heading home after graduation before the second one. I heard that DEP meeting they were all going to go to CRUNCH Fitness to go train for free. There seems to be a lot of support from the recruiters to their recruitee's. My recruiter was especially helpful through the whole process and I was lucky enough to have such a caring recruiter to understand what I wanted as far as joining the Navy.

MY final Tips overall for joining the military:

1. Know exactly what you want before you go in to see/ talk to a recruiter.
2. Research various job fields, know whats available for you. 
3. Make sure you are ready and that there is no doubt that you want to join because once you sign that contract there is no room for turning back and if you decide to turn back there will be major consequences. 
4. Know that joining is a big deal and so making the decision to join is a big decision that will not only affect you but your family and significant other, not to mention your future.

I took my readers from the moment I stepped into the recruiting office to the moment I signed the contract. In between that time a lot of worry, signing, and research was done to get me to where I am now. This process all occurred during school and so I had to fit it into my schedule and make sure that I can get everything done for both school and the Navy done before I leave here in a couple of weeks. It was an overwhelming process that I know will only benefit me in the future in the end, so long as I keep my focus on what I want, work hard for it, and keep learning every step of the way.