Contact your Family Support Center to find out what services they offer for families during deployment. For example, you get referrals from the FSC for the Give Parents A Break Program that the Air Force Aid Society funds (GPAB is free child care at the base�s Child Development Center, the first Friday night of each month, usually from 6:30-10pm, number of children is not limited); you pick up your Car Care Because We Care vouchers at the FSC (paid for by the AFAS as well � free oil change at your base service station once every 90 days during deployment); Hearts Apart Support Group is usually held at the FSC once per month; sometimes they offer 20-minute phone cards for the active-duty member.
Our FSC offers pillowcases � take a photo into the FSC; they put it on an iron-on transfer, then iron it on to the pillowcase that they provide! That way, all my kids �went to bed with Daddy� every night he was gone. The kids would kiss Daddy�s picture on the pillowcase and feel safe with Daddy right there.
Get a list of names and telephone numbers for people you can contact in the squadron for emergency contact or in case you need assistance during the deployment (especially have the number for the shop chief, first sergeant and/or commander). Keep those numbers handy � you never know when you�ll be stranded on the highway and need to call someone to help you! (yep, I�ve been there, done that!).
Get your Power of Attorney before your AD spouse leaves! You�ll need that POA to conduct any business in your spouse�s name. For example, when we moved from one base housing unit to another while dh was deployed, TMO and Housing both required copies of my POA before I could move forward with any inspections and paperwork. If you want to buy or sell a car, set up utilities in both names � anything that requires your spouse�s name (especially income taxes) will require a POA. If you have pay issues and need to talk to someone in Finance, you�ll need your POA as well.
Get your wills done � both of you! It takes time to thoroughly discuss your wishes � it took us weeks! But you should have both done, just in case.
Contact your unit�s spouse group, FRG, etc. Find out when the meetings are normally held and attend if you can. Most of the spouses will be there to lend a hand (sometimes they�ll babysit in a pinch), an ear or a shoulder. You may find that the group is not a good fit for you, but lots of info flows through these groups, so you might want to keep in touch with the leader for updates on the deployment, etc.
From Lady Bountiful
Figure out how long you are going to be away, if it is less than 30 days then generally you will have nothing to worry about - but call Tricare and get the numbers you will need in the event that you have to go to the doctor while you are away.
If you are going to be gone more than 30 days and you will be in a different Tricare region then you will have to change your 'portability' to that region. You can download the forms you need from the Tricare website, and fax them into the new region. Or you can also go to the Tricare office closest to you in the new region.
If you have existing conditions or are seeing a specialist make sure you have all of your medical records with you. If you go to a new region then you will have to get all new referrals etc., often this just involves talking to the PCM you are assigned to and them entering it for you - or you may have to go in and actually see the PCM before they will refer you.
If you can't or don't want to bring your medical records, ask for them to be copied so you can bring them with you.
Definitely call Tricare and get all of the information and phone numbers you will need before you leave - it can save a lot of time and stress at the other end.
ACS - Deployment Readiness
ACS - Deployment Readiness News
Army Reserve Guide to Mobilization