by Chris C

Created on: January 29, 2007   Last Updated: April 19, 2007

Having spent eleven years in the Navy, I feel I have some experience with this subject. I did two 6 month deployments on Navy ships, the first being before I was married and had kids, the second being married with 3 kids. Six months is a long time to go without seeing family and friends. There are many tricks to surviving a deployment, though with the advent of email and digital cameras, it's a bit easier now than it was.

On my first deployment, I was going for fun and to see the world. All I had at home was a box of stuff in my parents attic and immediate family. I could call when we were in port and write letters when we were out to sea. That first one wasn't too bad at all. I actually had a lot of fun.
The second one was different though. I was stationed aboard an Aircraft Carrier and we were thrown right in the middle of Operation Enduring Freedom. We were going 24/7 dropping bombs and doing flight operations in response to the attacks of 9/11. Even though we had email and snail mail and satellite phones, we couldn't always find the time to use them. Add to that communication blackouts when we weren't allowed to use them, it was sometimes hard to keep in touch. Not being able to keep in constant contact, there are a few things that need to be done before you ever leave.
First, get a power of attorney for your spouse or parents (if you aren't married). This is extremely important if you have to have cars titled, bills paid and mortgages done. Without a power of attorney, not even your spouse can do things for you.
Let's say, knock on wood, that you are killed while on deployment. A will is a must have. This is the only way to ensure your wishes will be followed in case of your death. If you want to be cremated, your family should know. Fighting amongst family members is not conducive to the mourning process.
Ensure all family members know how to contact you immediately in case of emergency. The American Red Cross is a must have number for spouses and parents. The Red Cross is the only organization which can immediately contact you if they need to. Your spouse sending an email telling you there's an emergency won't carry much weight with your Commanding Officer, but a call from the Red Cross will get his butt down to the Chaplains office faster than you can imagine.
Bottom line, prepare your family first and foremost. They have to carry on without you while you are gone. Make it easy for them. Lots of email, letters, pictures and phone calls will ease the fears and allow time to pass smoothly. Knowing what to do in an emergency will ease the mind should one arise. Having the ability to ensure they can keep things running smoothly while you are away is one way to survive a deployment. You and your family will be much more at ease knowing they have less to worry about in the long run.

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