Deployment is tough on the entire family even in the best of circumstances. Hardship is part of what makes the sacrice of armed services members and their families such an honorable calling. But a military family can stay connected to each other before, during and after deployment.
PRE-DEPLOYMENT: Create
From the moment those ominous orders are received a flood of anxiety, grief and fear is likely to flow. Don’t ignore these feelings. Acknowledge and talk about them openly with each other and with the children. Guide them through the process of writing down the biggest concerns and then commit to pray for one another throughout the deployment. Before deployment, create a “Deployment Book” to store any memories that happen throughout the separation. Come up with specific strategies for staying connected with your children (i.e. writing letters, Facetime, pre-recorded Bible readings). Come up with a mutually agreed upon plan for marital intimacy (i.e. Facetime dates, read and discuss the same daily devotional, plan creative alternatives to physical intimacy). Most importantly, resolve any tensions in your relationship. Prolonged separation can make marital problems worse and create greater vulnerability to temptation while apart.
DEPLOYMENT: Connect
Deployment brings big changes for the family. Your spouse must carry the load at home in a “man down” situation. Their burden of responsibility has just increased dramatically, and life doesn’t slow down to let them catch up. Connection is key at this point. Follow through with any plans you created during the pre-deployment phase or create a plan now. Family members at home need to feel they are a part of what the deployed soldier is doing. He/she should be open as possible about the experience within OPSEC regulations. The spouse at home may feel less comfortable in the same church community settings now that the spouse is away. That’s okay. At the same time, resist the urge to withdraw. Give fellow believers the blessing of serving you and your heroic spouse, something they can only do if they know specifics. Maintain a list of practical helps that you can share in response to “If there is anything I can do, don’t hesitate to ask.”
RETURNING HOME: Communicate
This phase usually starts off with a burst of excitement and energy as you return from deployment. But when the dust settles it becomes clear that things have changed. The hole left by the absent service member has been filled by necessity and survival for the remaining family members. This phenomenon can lead to marital tension as couples try to re-establish their “normal life” roles. Communication is the key during this phase. Share and listen. Be open with each other. Re-establish regular date nights and family nights. Pray with and for each other often. Deployments are difficult. But they do not have to permanently scar relationships or family life dynamics. In fact, in many cases it can strengthen them if the couple chooses to be intentional up front.
By Chaplain (CPT) Guy Maness & Rachel Maness
One Step Further…
Recommended Book:
God Strong by Sara Horn
Faith Deployed by Jocelyn Green
The Five Love Languages: Military Edition by Gary Chapman & Jocelyn Green
Bellevue’s Biblical Counseling Ministry offers free counseling sessions for individuals, couples, and families. Visit bellevue.org/biblical-counseling for more information.