Preparing for Deployment: An Army Wife's Perspective By: Shirley Willis
October 31, 2012: The News Three days ago my husband and I were joyfully counting down the days to our honeymoon cruise! We came home from a long day of work and found peace of mind discussing the relaxing trip we had coming up ahead. I said "I can't wait to go swimming with the dolphins", he added "I'm ready for the jet ski excursion" we both laughed in relief that we would be getting a break soon. But our plans quickly changed on October 29th, 2012; we were two weeks away from our trip to paradise when we received the news that my husband would be deploying. Everything from that point on took a huge turn of events; I realized instead of packing our bags for the Bahamas, I'd be helping him pack his bags for Afghanistan. This is especially difficult for me because it's our first deployment, we are still newlyweds, and I am a long ways from home, family, and friends. But the nerves didn't quite settle until he started giving me dates, that's when I noticed how little time I had to prepare. I've never been through this before, but I have six weeks to prepare and no time to waste, so the journey begins now! November 1, 2012: Reservation Cancellations The first thing on the agenda is to cancel our flight and cruise reservations. I have spent the majority of my day researching company policies pertaining to soldiers on military orders and the protocol for canceling reservations in such circumstances. Below is what I learned. Carnival Cruise Lines I found the following excerpt in Carnival's Travel Protection Plan Agreement. "The Carnival Cancellation Fee Waiver Program offers our valued guests the opportunity to receive a refund from Carnival Cruise Lines for those otherwise non-refundable cruise vacationrelated costs prepaid to Carnival Cruise Lines, should you cancel or interrupt your cruise vacation for the reasons stated below" (Carnival, 2012). Among the reasons listed in this citation, reason #6 stated "you are called into active military service" (Carnival, 2012). However, after calling customer service I learned this only applies if you purchased a travel protection plan. My husband and I did not purchase a protection plan and became worried that we would be penalized for our cancellations. But after talking to a representative I learned that even though we did not purchase a protection plan, because he was being called to active duty, we could receive a partial refund and the remaining balance could be used as future cruise
credit (for up to two years from the date of cancellation). I was told the refund/credit process would take up to 14 business days to complete. We are currently waiting for the completion of this transaction. Delta Airlines I could not find anything on Delta's website that discussed trip cancellations for soldiers called to active duty. However, upon calling the customer service line I learned that Delta has a military help-desk designed to help our troops and federal government employees in these situations. I was transferred to the military help desk and in no more than twenty minutes the issue was resolved. Delta processed a full refund for both of our airfares that same day! Whoop for Troop friendly airlines! November 7, 2012: Will and Power of Attorney Will As if I wasn't nervous enough, today my husband and I had an appointment at the legal office on base. We were there to review and sign papers for his will. I must admit I cried during the process, no one ever wants to dwell on the possibility that their loved one may not return home from war. It was difficult and somber, but it had to be done. I thought the process would take much longer since anything dealing with legal matters usually takes forever! However, I learned that they have a will template and much of the legal language and clauses are already drafted. The judge simply filled out key pieces of information as they related to my husband and then printed it for us to review before signing and approving the document. Power of Attorney I wasn't too sure what Power of Attorney meant or what it's used for; but I have since learned that it gives me the right to sign documents on my husband's behalf. The Power of Attorney given to military spouses requires a distinct document from what is used in other legal circumstances. However, according to the Office of the Staff Judge Advocate (2012), "federal law requires that this document be given the same legal effect as a power of attorney prepared in accordance with the laws of the jurisdiction where it is presented" (Office of the Staff Judge Advocate, 2012). My husband signed his Power of Attorney over to me, which gives me legal authority to sign for him in his absence. While all this legal talk sent my head for a spin, the greatest take away from this was that I will need this form to take care of tax matters this upcoming January. A friend of mine, who is also a military spouse, advised me to make sure
that "tax matters" was listed under the list of authorizations because when she was preparing for her husband's deployment she didn't know the document had to specify that. As a result, when she went to file taxes this past January (while her husband was deployed) she ran into problems because the document did not list "tax mattes" as an authorization. Therefore, I was sure to check it was on our document before leaving the office, to avoid going through the same thing. November 12, 2012: Mental and Emotional Preparation I knew that marrying a soldier would pose challenges, but it doesn't make dealing with this any easier. Now that I've taken care of the majority of business matters, it's time for me to begin preparing mentally and emotionally for my husband's departure. I'm not sure of the services or programs that are available to help spouses cope with deployment, but I plan to begin by visiting the Army Community Services (ACS) website for Fort Bliss. I've heard they have plenty of services and resources for spouses and family members of deployed troops. Family Readiness Group (FRG) On the Fort Bliss ACS website I found a link to information about Family Readiness Groups (FRG). These groups are formed at the battalion level to provide "activities and support to enhance the flow of information, increase the resiliency of unit soldiers and their families, provide practical tools for adjusting to military deployments and separations, and enhance the well-being and esprit de corps within the unit" (ArmyOneSource, 2012). After reading information online about FRG groups, I decided to contact the FRG leader for my husband's unit. I obtained her information from my husband, who obtained it from his company commander. After speaking to her I realized just how small the world really is! As it turns out, the FRG leader for my husband's unit is a fellow co-worker of mine (I am new to the organization so I don't know everyone very well yet). I was relieved to know that I work closely with the person who will have all the key resources and information when my husband deploys. I coordinated with her to attend our first FRG meeting, where I will learn more about the group and its activities. The meeting is scheduled for Wednesday November 28, 2012. MWR Fundraisers & Events In addition to activities sponsored by individual FRG groups, the Directorate of Morale Welfare & Recreation Services also sponsors activities and fundraisers to help support troops and their families. MWR sponsors activities such as bowling, scrapbooking, day at the park, Zumba classes, and more to help family members socialize and support one another during the challenging and fragile circumstances of deployment. MWR also conducts fundraisers, such as bake sales or car washes, to raise funds for care packages and to support families of deployed troops who are struggling financially. I learned about MWR services by reading information on
the Fort Bliss MWR website, visiting the MWR office on base, and by speaking to other spouses who have previously participated in MWR actives.
Connections to Training & Development Noe (2010) refers to training as a "planned effort" (p.5) to gain knowledge, skills, and competencies for the purpose of development. In this self-directed learning assignment I established a planned effort to become more competent and skilled at the deployment readiness process. While I have learned much about the deployment process over the last few weeks, I am sure there is still plenty left for me to learn. I have done my best to prepare for this lifealtering event, but I know there will be several learning insights that will only result from personally experiencing and living through the situation. This is a part of the continuous learning process that Noe (2010) refers to in the first chapter of his book. Noe (2010) proposes technology has reshaped the way we learn. I was able to understand the extent of this concept while performing online research for my study. I came across countless of online training presentations, interactive learning modules, live broadcasts, and other technologically advanced methods of information delivery. I even found the Facebook page for my FRG group! This reminded me of how much technology has improved the way we learn, train, and communicate in the 21st century. While I learned much about the deployment process through websites, brochures, and other informational items, I feel I've learned even more through social avenues. Noe (2010) addresses the role of social learning theory in training. According to the social learning theory, learning new skills and behaviors comes from direct experience and observation. As I mentioned when I went to obtain Power of Attorney, I knew to make sure tax matters where covered in the document. I didn't read this in a brochure or see this online, and the judge sure didn't advise me about it. Yet I knew because a friend who I consider to be credible and knowledgeable (because she has been through this before), had warned me. This is a prime example of social learning. During my self-directed study, I experienced hands-on-training in the sense that there were steps in my learning process that required me to actually perform the task to understand how it works. For example, before going through the process of obtaining a will and Power of Attorney I didn't have to read a guidebook or learn about the process online; instead I learned about this by actually going through the process. In the future, I will know what to do because I have done it once before. Noe (2010) proposes sharing knowledge and skills gained during training, increases training effectiveness. I have learned a great deal about preparing and coping with deployment; and I plan to share what I have learned, as much as I can, with other military spouses and family members. This will make my self-directed study that much more meaningful.
References ArmyOneSource (2012). Family readiness group. Retrieved from: https:// www.myarmyonesource.com/familyprogramsandservices/ programs/familyreadinessgroup-frg/default.aspx Carnival Cruise Lines (2012). Carnival cruise vacation protection. Retrieved from: http://www.carnival.com//~/media/cclus /Images/pdf/ Vacation-Protection-201205pdf.ashx Fort Bliss MWR(2012). Army community services. Retrieved from: http://www.blissmwr.com/acs/ Noe, R.A. (2010). Employee Training and Development (5th ed.) New York: McGraw-Hill Sisson, G.R. (2001). Hands-On Training: A Simple and Effective Method for On-The-Job Training. San Francisco: Berrett-Koehler