How to Prepare for a Marine to Deploy

When your Marine spouse is about to deploy and your emotions are going strong, it can be difficult to remember all of the important things you need to take care of. Follow these steps to make sure that you and your family are adequately prepared when your Marine takes off on deployment.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

1. Discuss your finances. Make sure that you have full access to all of your bank accounts and that you are ready to take over the bill paying if your spouse normally took care of it. Create a financial plan and budget that will get you and your family through the deployment.
2. Go to all pre-deployment meetings for the families and spouses of the Marines. They will give you important check lists that you must follow before the deployment.
3. Get in touch with your Key Volunteer Network, which is a group of spouses in your husband's unit that you will be assigned to as a means of support. The leader of this group will keep you informed throughout the deployment as well as organize events for the group. Attain the phone numbers and email addresses of all of the members in your group.
4. Schedule an appointment with your lawyer on base to set up a will for your Marine spouse. You may also consider getting a general or a special power of attorney to do certain things such as signing a lease. Discuss this issue with your lawyer to determine which situations may come up during the deployment when you may need power of attorney.
5. Make all necessary repairs on the house and cars before your Marine leaves.
6. Secure extra childcare to last throughout the deployment if you have children. Taking care of your children by yourself without that extra hand around is definitely a big change. Talk to the other spouses to get babysitting referrals and to see if you can help each other out with childcare.
7. Be open with your spouse about your feelings and concerns before deployment. Tell your Marine of your love and support.

Tips & Warnings

• This is not the time for fighting or guilt trips. While you should be honest with your spouse about your concerns, having a positive and loving attitude towards each other will help you both through this difficult time.