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What to Know Before Getting Deployed

You just got the announcement you're heading to war. Here's what to know before getting deployed — so you can hopefully come back to normalcy.

By Riley Raul ReesePublished 6 years ago 4 min read
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Getting deployed isn't something that most people are happy to look forward to — and who could blame anyone who's scared? When you go to war, you will end up in uncomfortable conditions, you will very likely see things you shouldn't see, and there's also a chance you might get killed.

That being said, most military personnel who get deployed do come home. Since that is the case, there's much to know before getting deployed so as to ensure you have a good transition home and a quick transition away.

Here's what to know before getting deployed, according to those who did a bunch of tours abroad.

You need to know how to get a hold of people who you care about while deployed.

It's not the 1940s, and there are other options aside from letter writing. Cellphones usually don't work well with international calls, especially in areas where there may not be good infrastructure.

Here's what to know before getting deployed: you need to plan ahead when it comes to communication. Skype, phone calls, email, and other similar things can all help you keep in touch with those close to you.

One thing that you need to remember is that your home responsibilities will still be there when you're deployed. So, you will need to make sure to stay in contact with your car loan officers, your home loan officers, and other people who you may have to get in touch with on occasion.

Family issues need to be hammered out when it comes to your deployment too.

A lot of pre-deployment briefings can tell you what to know before getting deployed, particularly when it comes to family-related things. You will need to tell your spouse (if you have one) what to use the money on that you earn for work. If you are a parent, you will also need to arrange childcare options with your spouse or a relative.

You also may have to prepare for the worst. So, coming up with a backup plan in case of your death is crucial at this point, too. Spending special time with your family and friends is absolutely a must at this point, since you probably won't see them for a very long time.

If you are in a committed long term relationship with a woman, you also need to plan on whether she will become a military wife. And, you may need to rush the marriage. Additionally, you may need to offer her tips on being a new military wife to a deployed person.

This is also a time when you should take an inventory of your belongings and figure out storage. Things such as getting a storage facility or figuring out logistics is crucial during a time like this.

Lastly, part of figuring out what to know before getting deployed is figuring out how the bills you have stateside will be paid.

You may get emotional before deployment. This is normal.

Everyone reacts to deployment a bit differently. Some people get angry. Others get sad, some get into denial, while others just become increasingly anxious. This is a normal reaction. After all, you're going to war.

There are a number of things you can do to help alleviate the stress that comes with finding out you're getting deployed. Here are some of the best suggestions:

  • Go to pre-deployment gatherings and find out what to know before getting deployed. The more you know, the less intimidating deployment will be. You might find out helpful tips to make the transition better, and find out some comforting advice.
  • Talk to your support network and your partner. You might find out that what you are feeling isn't that uncommon. You also might hear good words of advice, comfort, and get to bond with others in your situation. You wouldn't believe how much that helps.
  • If you're really nervous, book a therapy session. Therapy can help you cope when other things won't.
  • Reach out to others who have been there and done that. There are a lot of people out there who can offer valuable advice and tips that they themselves probably wished they knew prior to deployment.

Here's the real core of what to know before getting deployed, though...

While there are things you will need to take care of before you get deployed, there's nothing that can totally prepare you for war. You'll never have a full experience that will show you the kind of things war will show you.

War changes you, and at times, you might not feel like a normal person anymore. However, after deployment, you will come back stateside and life will eventually resume like it once did. Rejoining the human race as you know it won't always be easy — but with enough work, things will become normal once more.

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About the Creator

Riley Raul Reese

Riley Reese is comic book fanatic who loves anything that has to do with science-fiction, anime, action movies, and Monster Energy drink.

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