Posted on Feb 5, 2016
What are the best things I can do to support a friend and his family during a deployment?
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A very close friend, who I consider a brother, found out today that he is deploying to Kuwait within the next 3 weeks. He just broke the news to his family today and it's been hard on everyone. He'll be gone for 6 months and I want to be there for his family as much as I can. What would you say are the most important things I can do to help pre-deployment and during the deployment itself? Thanks in advance.
Edited 9 y ago
Posted 9 y ago
Responses: 16
Capt Brandon Charters I would establish a solid rapport with close friend and family. Just communicate and a solid care package goes a long way too.
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Offer to help with things he normally would have done; mow the lawn, scoop the walk, take the kids to school, and help out with the things his wife feels weighed down with. You won't take his place, but you can help cover down on the things that would otherwise overwhelm her.
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The Marine Corps had a family readiness officer. Usually this position was held by one of the officer's wives. Their role was to build a support network amongst all of the families with loved ones overseas.
Sometimes they would have parties where they got together to create something to send to their loved ones. Or maybe the deployed loved ones created a video for the families to see. I missed two Christmases in a row overseas. We always sent a Merry Christmas video home.
Maybe you can find out if his detachment has something like this setup.
Sometimes they would have parties where they got together to create something to send to their loved ones. Or maybe the deployed loved ones created a video for the families to see. I missed two Christmases in a row overseas. We always sent a Merry Christmas video home.
Maybe you can find out if his detachment has something like this setup.
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