Pre-Deployment Briefing

Last night my husband and I went to our first pre-deployment briefing together. The point of this briefing is to prepare the families of the troops for what is to come once tour begins. I was given information on who to contact if I need help or someone to talk to. Paper work to fill out for my family plan; so if something happens to me while my husband is away who will be responsible for my children until my husband can be contacted or sent home (depending on what has happened to me). Also, I was given information on programs for the children so that they can have fun days with other kids who have parents over seas and so that the parent who is home can have a few hours to do whatever, nap, clean, shop etc...
One of the booklets I was given explains the different stages of what a person is or may be feeling prior to tour and suggestions on who to deal with those feelings. It also gives a check list for legal issues we need to have done before such as will, power of attorney, power of guardian, life insurance etc... Other things we need to have in order are financial issues, health, home (maintenance), and the family support system.
Another part of the night was to listen to some members of the military speak about the upcoming tour but we only stayed for about 20 minutes of the presentation. Basically they were talking about what is available to the families and the responsibilities of each soldier to make sure his family is well informed about the services available.
Overall I think the military does a pretty good job at making sure the families have someone and somewhere to turn to when they need help and are just feeling discouraged. Many services are available to the adults and to the children to help them prepare for the long, worrying road ahead. It doesn't just end there though, not only do they have programs to help you prepare for when they leave, they have programs to help you while they are gone and even when they come home but we'll cross that bridge when we get there.
I think in my house right now there is a bit of a denial thing going on, we all know it is coming but we are pushing it out of our minds for the time being. I guess with the new baby we don't want to drop our spirits by talking about war. My husband brought home his gear for tour the other day, it bothered me to see it since it just made the whole thing a little more real.
On a positive note, this will all be over in a year! The count down is on : )