Military deployment
Military deployment refers to the assignment of active-duty and reserve military personnel to specific locations to fulfill various military duties, often in preparation for missions or combat operations. The deployment process encompasses several phases: pre-deployment, deployment, post-deployment, and reintegration. During pre-deployment, service members prepare both personally and professionally, undergoing training and ensuring their affairs are in order before leaving home. The deployment phase officially begins when personnel undertake their missions, which can involve significant emotional and logistical challenges for both the deployed individuals and their families.
Post-deployment involves the return of military personnel to their previous roles and includes preparations for reintegration into civilian life. This phase may feature additional medical assessments and counseling to address any physical or emotional issues arising from their service. An important aspect of military deployment includes Individual Augmentee (IA) deployments, where service members may be deployed individually or in small groups, often requiring them to adapt quickly to new roles. Overall, military deployment is a complex and challenging experience that impacts not only the service members but also their families and communities, requiring support systems to help navigate the associated difficulties.
Military deployment
The United States. Armed Forces, or the U.S. military, comprises five branches: Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, and Navy. The U.S. president serves as the commander in chief of the armed forces. The Secretary of the Department of Defense controls every branch of the military except the Coast Guard, which the Department of Homeland Security heads.
Full-time (active) and part-time (reserve and National Guard) members may be deployed, or assigned to certain destinations to fulfill military service duties and prepare to participate in missions or wars, either within the United States or in another country. The deployment order is just one phase in the stages of deployment. Deployment is difficult for many military personnel and their families and friends as they prepare to be away for extended periods of time. Once service members return from deployment, they may face additional difficulties as they transition back to normal life.
Overview
All military personnel go through several phases of a deployment cycle: pre-deployment, deployment, post-deployment, and reintegration. The beginning and end of each phase might not be clear and can overlap in some circumstances. Some branches such as the National Guard and reserve forces may go through slightly different phases—such as the demobilization phase—that are not experienced by regular active-duty, full-time members.
Pre-Deployment
During the pre-deployment phase, military personal anticipate and prepare for the deployment. Prior to deployment, military service members undergo extensive training to learn military duties and receive medical evaluations. They do this while they are at home, with this phase being compared to a normal job. Members go to "work" with the military for a portion of the day and then return home.
At the end of the pre-deployment phase, military personnel receive information about their upcoming deployment. During this time, service members receive additional training, information about the deployment, and medical and dental evaluations. They also receive counseling to prepare them to be away from home.
Service members must make many preparations for themselves and their families. They should ensure that their and their families' needs will be taken care of while they are gone. They should get documents and legal issues in order before they leave. This includes making a plan for finances, medical care, child care, and other decisions and ensuring legalities are in place, such as power of attorney and living wills. Service members also should ensure all personal documents are up to date, including passports and military ID cards.
Military personnel and their families should make an emergency plan in case of disasters and other events and establish a secure place to store all important documents. They should determine how they will keep in touch with others once deployed. Families should seek information from the military and other military families and take advantage of other services such as counseling or support groups so they can learn to cope while their loved ones are deployed.
Deployed National Guard and reserve members have certain civilian employment protections and benefits, so they should talk with their employers before they leave.
This phase ends when the service member departs for deployment.
Deployment
Deployment officially begins when military personnel start their mission away from home. Individuals move with their military units or squadrons to a designated place (either in the United States or another country) to begin their mission, or during times of war, participate in war efforts. This part of the process is very sad and stressful for families and friends of the deployed person as they navigate life without their spouses, parents, children, siblings, friends, etc. Many resources are available to help military families during this time.
During deployment, military personnel may participate in dangerous military activities, such as war, which can result in the loss of life. Communication may also be limited at times. This puts a further strain on service members as well as family and friends.
Service members cope by forming bonds with their unit members and communicating with their families and friends through phone calls, letters, e-mails, and other means. When the deployment is over, service members prepare to return home.
Post-Deployment/Demobilization
During the post-deployment phase, service members return home and prepare to resume work and regular military service. They receive information, training, medical evaluations, and counseling to aid with their reintegration into normal life. Post-deployment aid prepares the service members for any physical or emotional ailments they might experience.
While the pre-deployment and deployment phases are virtually the same for all military service members, the post deployment stage is different for National Guard and reserve members. These members return to a demobilization station prior to going home. At the demobilization station, they receive the same information, training, medical evaluations, and counseling as other military personnel. During the demobilization phase, National Guard and reserve members plan future personnel and equipment needs as these members prepare to return to non-active duty.
Reintegration
Reintegration is the period when service members return to their normal family and military lives. During this time, service members undergo follow-up counseling and medical evaluations to ensure they receive any care they may need during the difficult transition back to regular life. The military also provides support for family members to help make readjustment as easy as possible for everyone.
Individual Augmentee Deployment
Individual augmentee (IA) deployment is another type of deployment for military members. Instead of deploying as an entire unit, service members may be called for IA deploy in small groups or individually. All active-duty and part-time members may be ordered for IA service, or they may volunteer for it. Most times Navy or Air Force members are called for IA service in the Army or Marine Corps. Members will receive additional training for IA deployment, but they may have less time to prepare. The military may also withhold specific information about missions and communication may be limited during deployment. IA tours may be longer than regular deployment.
While military deployment is physically and emotionally difficult for service members and their families and friends, it is a necessary component of military life.
Bibliography
"Deployment: An Overview." Military.com. Military Advantage. Web. 26 Nov. 2014. <http://www.military.com/deployment/deployment-overview.html>
"Military Deployment Guide: Preparing You and Your Family for the Road Ahead." Military OneSource. Department of Defense. Feb. 2011. Web. 26 Nov. 2014. <http://www.militaryonesource.mil/12038/Project%20Documents/MilitaryHOMEFRONT/Service%20Providers/Deployment/DeploymentGuide.pdf>
"Preparing for Deployment: The Home Side." Military.com. Military Advantage. Web. 26 Nov. 2014. <http://www.military.com/spouse/military-deployment/dealing-with-deployment/preparing-at-home-for-deployment.html>
"U.S. Armed Forces Overview." Military.com. Military Advantage. Web. 26 Nov. 2014. <http://www.military.com/join-armed-forces/us-military-overview.html>
"What to Expect During Deployment." Military.com. Military Advantage. Web. 26 Nov. 2014. <http://www.military.com/spouse/military-deployment/dealing-with-deployment/what-to-expect-during-deployment.html>