During a deployment we are geared towards accomplishing our mission on the homefront. We have tight routines and organized schedules. When my spouse is gone, I figure out how to juggle work, soccer practice, dinner, the dogs and you might even find some home baked brownies on my kitchen counter. When my spouse comes home and he starts to share in the homefront duties things can get a little complicated and sometimes stressful as we both try to share responsibilities around the house and get to know each other all over again. Meanwhile, he is also trying to reconnect with the kids and family members. There is a lot going on all at the same time.
Here are two great resources to help us to reconnect after a deployment:
RealWarriors.net – This DoD website offers a place where service members, veterans and military families can find valuable information on the process of building resilience, facilitating recovery and supporting reintegration.
The site features these Tips for Reconnecting with your Spouse/Significant Other:
- Understand that it's normal to feel out of sync with your spouse at first. Both of you have grown and changed during the separation. It takes time to reconnect. Be patient and be flexible.
- Spend time talking with each other. Make your partner your priority. Time spent with your partner is an investment in your future.
- Ease back into intimacy. It's not easy to regain physical and emotional closeness after stressful situations.
Read more tips from RealWarriors.net
AfterDeployment.org – This website's mission is to, "help warriors and their loved ones manage the challenges that are often faced following a deployment". This site features self-assessments that you can take from your own computer without having to enter your name or social security number. Maintaining your privacy is an important part of their assessments. You can complete most assessments in about five minutes. Once you complete an assessment any recommendations are provided.
Available assessments include:
- Alcohol and Drugs
- Anger
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Panic
- Sleep
- Stress
- Work Adjustment
These are just a handful of the assessments available. See the complete list here.
AfterDeployment.org also features: Video stories, a Peer 2 Peer Forum, Blog, "There & Back" Podcast, links to other helpful resources, books and much more.
Keep in mind these websites are not substitutions for seeking in-person advice from a health care professional.
To learn more about these resources and others that are focused post deployment / reintegration visit the related links below.
Related links:
RealWarriors.net
AfterDeployment.org
MilitaryOneSource.com
USAA Coming Home From Deployment
