DEPLOYMENT HANDBOOK
Name/Rate:______
VFA 143
UNIT 60129
FPO AE 09504-6121
VFA 143 Ombudsman
757-633-7437
* Phone is NOT text capable! Do NOT attempt to communicate via text!
VFA 143 Website
American Red Cross: 1-877-272-7337
Navy Family & Accountability Assessment System (NFAAS)
1-877-414-5358 or 1-866-827-5672
TABLE OF CONTENTS
SubjectPage
Message from Commanding Officer1
Pre-Deployment Preparation Checklists2-4
Wills & Powers of Attorney5
DEERS6
Long-Term Parking Storage Information6
Deployment Readiness forthe Single Military Parent7
The Emotional Cycle of Deployment8
Spouse/Significant Other/Family9
Preparing the Children10
Parents/Caregiver at Home10
During Deployment11
Coping with Stress11
Communication and Security11
Communications with your Sailor12
Emergency Communications12
Mail Service/Care Packages13
Children and Deployment14
Deployment Activity Ideas for Kids15
Deployment and Children
– for the Deployed Parent16
United Through Reading16
Post-Deployment17
Resources & Important Phone Numbers
Resources
Ombudsman18
Family Readiness Group (FRG)19
The Media and the Navy Family20
Emergency/Important Phone Numbers21
Monthly Income Worksheet22
Financial Planning Worksheet23
Fleet & Family Support Centers24
American Red Cross24
Hurricane Preparedness25
VA DOT Evacuation Plan26
NFAAS27
Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society27
TRICARE27
Important Phone Numbers
Useful Information & Phone Numbers28-31
Useful Websites for Services, Resources,
Information, etc.32
Note Pages33-34
i.
Dear Sailors and Family Members,
Thank you for taking the time to read this booklet. I sincerely appreciate that you are taking an active role in properly preparing yourself for VFA-143’s upcoming deployment.
Whether VFA-143 is gone for deployment or a short underway period, we must always be collectively prepared – both Sailors and families – to deal with the challenges of physical separation. Everyone at VFA-143 has made a commitment to protect, honor, and serve our country. Families of VFA-143 service members should be proud of their Sailor, but also proud of themselves as they, too, have demonstrated a committed service to this great country of ours through support of their service member.
Please take the time to read this booklet in its entirety. It is designed to help both the Sailor and his/her family prepare for deployment. As is the case with most things in life, the more prepared you are for it, the better you will perform. As the saying goes, “Failing to plan is planning to fail.”
However, this booklet is not just about preparing for deployment – it is designed to be a guide for the entire spectrum of the deployment cycle. Although this booklet will not provide the answer/solution to every situation you encounter before, during, or post-deployment, I do believe it will prove to be a great place to start; an outstanding reference manual at a minimum.
Again, I thank you for taking the time to read this booklet. The more familiar you are with its contents the better it will serve you.
E. J. ANDUZE
Commander, U.S. Navy
Commanding Officer
1
pre-deployment preparation
Deployment Checklist:
Practical Preparation
Dependent ID Cards; check expiration date (DEERS verification: 1-800-538-9552)
Updated Emergency Data Form or Page 2
Updated family contact information in the Navy Family Accountability & Assessment System (NFAAS)
Valid/Updated Will(s)
Valid/Updated Power(s) of Attorney
Home or apartment in good repair
Current Passport
Updated SGLI with correct beneficiary
Family knows complete official mailing address, command name, & SSN
Family has current VFA-143 contact information including Ombudsman & FRG President
Join FRG
Service Member Personal Preparation
Uniforms (make sure you have a full seabag)
Civilian clothes/PT gear/personal items (hygiene items, shower shoes, etc.)
Phone numbers/addresses/email addresses
Arrangements for birthdays and special occasions
Plans for education and courses while underway (professional development)
Plans for “keeping in touch” with friends and family
Government credit card/Navy cash card/government passport (If applicable)
Personal credit card(s)/debit card(s)/ATM card(s)/cash
DVD player/DVDs/computer/MP3 player/CD Player/CDs/batteries
Stationary/pens/envelopes/stamps
Camera
Books/magazines/other personal entertainment items
Housing
If planning to sublet your residence, did you do a credit check on potential tenants?
Is your renter/homeowner insurance current and does it cover replacement costs?
Do you have a plan for routine maintenance and lawn care?
Barracks check-out
Long term storage for personal items
2
pre-deployment preparation
Deployment Checklist:
Vehicles
Plan for storage/long term parking?
Or plan for someone to take care of it/them?
Current insurance, tags, registration/title, base/inspection stickers.
Plan for routine, scheduled maintenance
Name of a trusted mechanic/repair garage left with family
Communication
Have a plan for making phone calls
Discuss email use – frequency, expected response time, etc.
Discuss regular mail and care package requests
Discuss emergency communication procedures (AMCROSS, if required)
Financial Preparation
Make arrangements to pay bills including payments to creditors; discuss
plan for bills thoroughly, especially if the service member normally handles the bills
Monthly spending plan for deployment including any pay changes and anticipated additional deployment-related expenses
Discuss separate checking accounts and/or split pay
Allotments or online banking set up
Once a year expenses such as taxes or insurance covered
Taxes – if due while deployed plan for filing or extension
Credit card limits. If married, who will be using which cards?
Savings plan, Thrift Saving Plan (TSP), Savings Deposit Plan, etc.
Emergency funds (1 month’s pay in reserve is recommended)
Emergency Plans
Location of important papers
Ensure spouse understands how to access the TRICARE system for medical care when outside the local area
Do you need to consider signing a preauthorization form with Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society?
Contact the VFA-143 Ombudsman
Understand how to use the American Red Cross (and when it is appropriate)
3
IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS
Review these documents. Store in a secure location but be able to access them at a moment’s notice, if required.
DOCUMENTLOCATION
Marriage Certificate ______
Birth Certificate(s)______
Adoption Papers______
Social Security Papers______
Copy of Page 2______
Passport(s)______
Medical/shot Record______
Will(s)______
Power(s) of Attorney______
Copy of LES______
Copy of Orders______
Life Insurance Policy______
Home Insurance Policy______
Auto Insurance Policy______
Copy of Mortgage/Lease______
Car(s) title/registration______
Bank info/check registry______
Computer Passwords______
______
______
4
Wills and Powers of Attorney
WILLS
A will is a legal expression or declaration of an individual’s wishes concerning the disposition of his/her property after death. It is always easier for one’s survivors to take care of things if the deceased left a will. When one dies without leaving a will state law may direct the distribution of personal and real property, which might not necessarily coincide with the way the individual would have wanted it.
Application for wills can be processed through the Navy Legal Services Office (NLSO). The NLSO will prepare wills for both service members and their families. For a list of services and appointment information visit the
NLSO website at:
Quarterdeck: 757-433-2366
Hours: 0730-1600 (Mon-Fri)
Legal Assistance: 757-433-2230
799 Hornet Dr. Bldg. 320,
Virginia Beach VA 23511
* Will worksheets can be provided by VFA-143 Admin
PowerS of Attorney
A Power of Attorney (POA) is a legal designation by an individual which grants to another the authority to execute documents in the name of the grantor as if he or she actually signed the document.
Special POA
A special POA gives one the limited authority to act on the behalf of the grantor for a specific purpose as delineated within the document and for a specified length of time.
General POA
A general POA gives another person unlimited authority to act on the behalf of the grantor for the length of time indicated.
* Both General and Special POAs can be produced by VFA-143 Admin. POAs can also be prepared by NLSO.
5
DEFENSE ENROLLMENT ELIGIBILITY REPORTING SYSTEM (DEERS)
DEERS is a way of verifying who is entitled to health care at military and public health service hospitals and clinics. It will also verify who qualifies for TRICARE and the family member dental plans. This system helps service members by protecting our health benefits for those who are actually entitled to health care.
DEERS enrollment is mandatory for all active duty personnel and their dependents. Dependents must be enrolled by their active duty sponsor.
In order to enroll your dependent(s) provide the personnel office with a copy of a marriage certificate (spouse) or birth certificate (child). The service member will fill out an ID application (DD Form 1172) and update their Page 2 and SGLI with the help of a squadron PS.
LONG-TERM PARKING STORAGE INFORMATION
Naval Air Station Oceana offers FREE long-term parking and vehicle storage to deploying Sailors. Priority goes to the most junior Sailors (E1-E4); E5 and above will be on a space available basis. Vehicles must be in proper working condition, have current registration & base decal, have batteries disconnected, all easily pilferable items must be removed and no items stored in the vehicle. Vehicles are required to be picked up within 30 days of returning from deployment. For parking applications and more information please contact CMDCM(AW/SW) Allen.
6
DEPLOYMENT READINESS FOR THE SINGLE MILITARY PARENT
Family Care Plan
OPNAVINST 1740.4 (series) states that service members have a responsibility to ensure family members are cared for during deployment as well as at all other times. All single service members and dual military couples with children or other dependent family members MUST have a Family Care Plan OPNAV Form 1740/6 on file. Both the active duty service member(s) and the caregiver(s) must sign it.
The Family Care Plan designates the person(s) who shall provide care while the service member is absent due to military duty for the service member’s children or other dependents who rely solely upon the service member for financial, medical, and logistical support.
It is also the responsibility of the service member to provide the caregiver(s) with all information and documentation needed to execute the Family Care Plan and provide for the service member’s family members.
The plan must include legal, medical, logistical (housing, food, transportation), and financial provisions. All necessary documentation including, but not limited to, birth certificates, military ID cards, medical and dental records, powers of attorney for medical care, guardianship and the authorization to start or stop financial support. Information on obtaining services from military resources and command points of contact should be included in the plan.
For more information contact a Fleet & Family Support Center and/or visit:
7
The emotional cycle of deployment
Research has shown that these are the common stages of deployment. You may or may not experience all of them. Sometimes simply knowing what you are feeling is “normal” can be helpful.
- Pre-Deployment
- Anticipation of loss (4-6 weeks prior to deployment)
- There is a lot of tension during this period as both husband and wife try to cram in a multitude of projects and activities. Symptoms: restlessness, depression, irritability
- Spouse feels angry or resentful (“He’s really going to leave me alone with all this?”), Sailor feels guilty (“How can I get everything done that I should before I leave?”).
- Distancing (3-4 weeks)
- The couple may bicker even though they usually do not. This can be upsetting if taken out of context. Although unenjoyable, these arguments can be functional: they provide one way for the couple to put some emotional distance between themselves in their preparation for living apart.
- Detachment and withdrawal (up to 7 days)
- In many ways this is the most difficult stage. Making decisions becomes increasingly difficult. Though both spouses are physically in the same house, emotionally they have separated and both think, “Let’s just get on with it!”
- Deployment
a. Shock (first 72 hours)
- An initial sense of relief that the pain of saying good-bye is over may be followed by guilt. May feel numb, aimless, and without purpose.
- Emotional disorganization (first 8 weeks)
- Old routines have been disrupted and new ones not yet established. Common symptoms include: withdrawal, anger, frustration, confusion, delayed stress reaction in some.
- Recover and stabilization (middle)
- Realization: “Hey, I’m doing OK!” New family patterns and settled into a new routine. Become empowered – being alone brings freedom as well as responsibility.
- Anticipation of homecoming (lasts 6-8 weeks)
- “Oh my gosh, he’s coming home and I’m not ready!” Feeling of joy and excitement in anticipation of living together again. May also feel nervous, tense and apprehensive.
III. Post-Deployment
a. Renegotiation of Marriage (first 4 weeks)
i.Husband and wife are together physically, but not necessarily emotionally. Need to
focus on the marriage. Need to address marriage “contract” – make major
adjustments to roles and responsibilities as both parties have changed during the
time apart.
b. Reintegration and stabilization (4-8 weeks)
i. New roles, new routines have been established for the reintegrated family.
8
EMOTIONALLY PREPARING FOR DEPLOYMENT
Husbands & Wives
Deployment and extensive TAD travel present challenges. Address the emotional and pragmatic concerns ahead of time; realize preparation will not eliminate family stress.
When there is advance knowledge of extensive time away, husbands and wives, service members and “significant others”, parents and children, and siblings will often find themselves bickering among themselves; even though this is the very time most families want to be close to one another and have an enjoyable farewell. This heightened stress and even withdrawal is a normal reaction. A couple of suggestions on how to cope with this stress are:
- Express your feelings – Be as open as possible with each other about what you are thinking, about your concerns and fears regarding the separation. Discuss the practical, like financial management, the
- family, friends, and most importantly, YOUR RELATIONSHIP.
Plan family activities – Plan ahead of time for some time as a couple and for some time as a family. Have a “date night”. Have a “family game night”.
- Practice patience and understanding – Realize that there is significant stress on both sides (the one leaving and the one left behind). Try to understand the stress from the other point of view and work together as a team to cope together.
- Celebrate – For those “special days” (birthdays, anniversaries, etc.) plan a day to celebrate them together before deployment.
9
EMOTIONALLY PREPARING FOR DEPLOYMENT
Preparing the Children
- Talk – Talk to your children before it happens. Talk about how you feel and let them tell you how they feel, especially their fears. Encourage them to ask questions. Children need to know that the deployed parent’s work is essential.
- Parent Time – The deploying parent needs to spend quality time with each child individually and all children together. Hugs and affection are
always needed to reassure them – especially younger children.
- Planning – Allow kids to help the service member pack for deployment. Swap tokens of significance – give each child something special for them to hold for the service member while he/she is away. Have the service member take a special something from each child with him/her on deployment.
- Communication – Encourage kids to talk about how they will keep in touch and how the Sailor will keep in touch with them (e.g. letters, postcards, videos, audiotapes, photo, drawings, email, etc.).
- Gifts – Leave small gifts, cards, etc. with your spouse or caregiver to be given to your kid(s) throughout the deployment. These seemingly small gifts produce tremendous joy the children and help them feel closer to the deployed parent.
Parent/Caregiver at Home:
- Establish rules and limits before deployment.
- Ensure each child is left with a photo of the deploying parent with the child.
- Have children prepare a care package for the deploying parent that can be opened after the ship pulls out of port.
- Make a recording of the deploying parent reading bedtime stories or doing other activities with his/her children.
- Plan fun activities to do as a family during the deployment.
- Give each child something with the deployed parent’s picture on it. You can order pillow cases with a picture on it (snapfish.com or kodakgallery.com) or make your own with iron-on paper. Another option is a personalized huggable doll or photo Pukin' Dog tags at
10
DURING DEPLOYMENT
Coping with Stress
- Stay connected – Don’t isolate yourself. Continue to spend time with friends, support groups, volunteer work, church, etc. Join command FRG and attend socials!
- Establish a schedule – Then stick to it. Routines are very beneficial.
- Set goals – Take a class, read books, save money, write or email every day, etc.
- Plan a trip – As finances allow, explore something new or visit out of area family.
- Look for free fun – Information available at your MWR facility or in the newspaper.
- Exercise – Check out the base gym or MWR facility. Join a class or start one. At some bases family-friendly classes are offered where kids are allowed to participate and are fun for the whole family and no childcare required!
- Grown up talk – Don’t get marooned with the kids. Take time to socialize with other adults.
- Review the positive things for each day – Positive self-feedback as often as possible.
- Get help – Especially if you stay “down” or depressed. Don’t put it off.
- Contact base CDCs for drop-off hourly care on weekends.
Communication and Security
Operational Security (OPSEC) is keeping potential adversaries from discovering sensitive Department of Defense information. As the name suggests, it protects US operations planned, in progress, and those completed. Success depends on secrecy and surprise. Enemies want this information and they see Sailors and their families as potential information sources. Sensitive information includes: