DEPLOYMENt CHECKLIST

Emotional Preparations:Separation from a spouse or partner is hard, whether it's for 6 weeks or 6 months. If you know.what to expect and come up with a plan for taking care of your household and yourself, you canbe better prepared to handle the strong emotions that often come with a deployment. Everyonereacts to the news of a deployment differently. You may feel:

• angry• sad• confused• nervous• a strong sense of denial

Some people may also start to withdraw from their spouse or partner to try and make thetransition easier. All of these are normal reactions to a deployment. But there are things youcan do to feel better and get ready. You can:

o Find out as much as you can about the deployment. Where will your spouse be?How long will the deployment last? By learning as much as you can about where yourpartner will be and what he or she will be doing, you may be able cope better withfeelings of uncertainty. Try to remember that in some cases, you may not be able to getas much information as you'd like because of security issues.

o Agree on a plan for communicating. Find out how you'll be able to communicate.Talk about whether you'll stay in touch by telephone, e-mail, or letters, and how often orat what times you'll communicate. Will you be able to send a letter or e-mail each day,or will it be once a week? How soon can you expect to get a response?

o Make a plan for being alone. Family members who are at home while a loved one isserving in the military may be able to deal with anxiety and fear if they make plans totake classes, pick up new hobbies, or spend time doing things they wouldn't normally do.Set some personal goals to work toward during the deployment.

o Talk about your feelings with your partner and encourage him or her to do thesame. Share your fears and concerns about the deployment and work together to comeup with a plan for handling them.

o Find support for yourself. Many branches of the service offer support in the form ofsocial groups, counseling, or advice. Look into what is available for you as a militaryfamily member.

o Reach out to other people who are going through or have already gone through adeployment. Participate in any pre-deployment activities offered by your unit. Militaryfamilies who have already experienced a deployment may have valuable tips and adviceabout handling the separation. By reaching out to other people who are preparing for adeployment, you may be able to build a support system for the coming weeks or months.

o Spend special time tC)getheras a couple and as a family. Take the time to be alonewith your spouse or partner before they leave. It's also important for children to haveindividual time with a parent in the days leading up to a deployment. Make time to betogether as a family even if it's just for an ordinary activity like taking a bike ride orplaying a game.

Preparing your home and life for deployment. The absence of a family member may meanthat you'll have to do things differently at home and in the rest of your life. If you take the time toprepare for these changes, you may find it easier to adjust. Here are some things you shouldthink about when you're preparing for deployment:

o Review child and elder care arrangements. If you need help covering your child orelder care needs, contact any services that may be available to you through the military,in your community, or through another employer for support and resources. If youalready have a child care plan in place, review it to make sure that the absence of afamily member will not be a problem.

o If there are certain chores or duties that the deployed family member always does,make sure you know how to do them, too. In some families, one person isresponsible for maintaining the car or for grocery shopping. If this is the case in yourfamily, make sure you feel comfortable taking on that responsibility on your own.

o Update and check legal and financial documents and details. This should includeupdating wills and medical directives, creating powers of attorney documents, andensuring that family members have access to accounts and documents.

o Make sure all important contact nilmbers are easy to find. Gather information abouthow to reach the deployed family member, including numbers for contacting appropriatemilitary officials for information and updates. Make sure you also know how to contactyour spouse's family.

o Create a family emergency plan. Talk about what you'd do in the case of anemergency, including where you'd go and how you would get in touch. Involve childrenand other family members in these discussions in appropriate ways.

o Talk about how you'll handle finances during the deployment. If your deployedspouse typically takes care of the family finances, make sure that you feel comfortableassuming these responsibilities. Make sure that you agree on a plan for accessing andusing all checking, savings, or investment accounts as well as safety deposit boxes. Goover all bills that will need to be paid during the deployment period, including taxes. If it'snecessary, make arrangements for the direct deposit of the paycheck of the person whowill be deployed.

Helping children prepare for deployment: It's important to involve children in thepreparations for deployment and explain to them exactly what a deployment involves in a waythat they will understand. You may also want to:

o Go over the "house rules. " Explain to your child that rules will not change during thedeployment just because a parent or family member is gone. Enlist older children tohelp around the house by taking over a chore or duty that the missing parent Orfamilymember always did.

o Encourage younger children to talk with older children who have already beenthrough a deployment. If you don't have older children, help your child makeconnections with the children of relatives, friends, or other military families who arefamiliar with deployment.

o Make time for the family member or parent who will be deployed to spend "alonetime" with each child in the family.

o Take lots of pictures or make videotapes of your child and the parent who will bedeployed doing everyday activities. Document ordinary things, like getting ready forbed, reading a story, eating dinner, or playing a game. Put these pictures in a smallalbum for your child or display them somewhere your child can easily see them. Manyfamilies also make recordings of the parent or loved one who will be deployed readingfavorite stories so that children can listen to their voices when they are gone.

o Give your child a special gift before the deployment begins. This could be anything-- a diary, a scrapbook, a watch, or a bracelet -- as long as it's something your child canhold and look at when he or she is missing his/her parent or family member.

o Make sure your child understands that he or she will be able to stay in touch withthe deployed parent or family member by writing letters, talking on the phone, orsending recordings or drawings. Sometimes children have trouble understanding theidea of a temporary separation, and they may think that they won't be able to talk to orcommunicate with their deployed loved one.

o Come up with a way to count down the time that the parent or family member willbe gone that children can understand. Some families create calendars and mark offthe days while others may come up with other ideas like filling up a jar with a chocolateor a sticker for each day the loved one will be gone. If you're not sure how long theparent will be gone, you can mark the passage of time by making a paper chain andadding a link each day that the parent IS gone, and then use the chain as a decorationwhen they return.

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M Vital Phone Numbers, Dates, and Other Information

MyFamily: Birth Date/Location: Social Security Number:

MyAddress: MySpouse's Deployed Address/Phone:

Emergency Numbers:

Fire _Emergency Medical Services. _

Police/Sheriff _Poison Control Center _

MaKea co of this list, and ost one b each hone in OUl' home. :': " " :

Military Information

Member's rank _ Date of enlistment. _Unit Unit location/phone number _Commander name/phone number-----------------------Other Important Numbers/E-mail/Web Sites:

Spouse/Family Support Group _

Family Support Center ------------------------Other ---------------------------------------------------**Keep important documents in one place for easv and quick access: birth certificates;

adoption papers; naturalization papers; marriage certificate; divorce decree; DDForm 214;retirement orders; will; information on bank accounts/insurance policies/mortqaqe'"

uick Reference Phone Numbers85-ROAD(7623) installation road conditions85-SARC (7272) sexual assault response coordinator85-RIDE (7433) safe ride programirman & Family Readiness Center: 605-385-4663edical Appointment Line: 605-385-6700amily Advocacy: 605-385-3660isitor Control Center: 605-385-2895ilitary & Family Life Counselor: 605-351-6931hild & Youth Behavioral Military Family Life Counselor: 605-351-7002hapel Services: 605-385-1598; after-hours call Command Post @ 605-385-3800egal Services: 605-385-2329ilitary Pay: 605-385-1548/1537/1490ilitary Personnel Services: 605-385-3487/2427ase Exchange: 605-923-4774ase Commissary: 605-385-4368itness Center: 605-385-2266uto Hobby Shop: 605-385-2900hild Development Center: 605-385-2488outh Center: 605-385-2277amily Child Care: 605-385-6104/4270hoppette: 605-923-5231-1 Thrift Store/Airman's Attic: 605-385-5383

Websites that may be of interest to EAFBNewcomer'sNOTE: This listing is not ali-inclusive and is Informational only. No govemment endorsement of the ~encies listed ~Iow is intended:

www.state.sd.us/drr2/motorvehicle ( state motor vehicles division, vehiclet~le/registration info)'. - . . "".

, .httQ.:lldps.s~.govl. (state info on driver licensing, highway safety, etc)wWw.ellsworth;afdDiI(EllswprthAFBwellsite) .

, "''W', """ . ,,' .. ", . ~.' " ' ,www.eIlSworthfss.eom (~8 Force Support SquadrQn)

.. : • '. . ,t, -,' - i ....

wwwJellsworthafre~org (Air",~n & Family Readiness c;enter): . , ..', '.~ ~.. : :-,;:~}'~'.~.~'',_".'" .,: . '"/:: ,_:.' . "-,'.,' -' ...., - ' __ ",,'" .

.httpsi{lafiegalas$lsta·rl~"aw.af.mil (Legahl'ssist~lite website; wills, poa's or just ask a simple legal question). •• . '. ~. • :; '. .. - .• ' : • ", • • " ',', .' ',' • .: ;1, • '. '.. '. • _ • • _- .'

Wvii:Y.~jlsworthenlisteaspouses~com (EAFS EnliSted Spouses Club)

https:{/www.facebook.com/ElIsworthOfficerSpousesAndCiviliansSpousesClub (EAFBOfficer & Civilian Spouses Club)

www.rcgov.org (Official Rapid CityWebsite)

www.mainstreetsguarerc.com (event and info for Rapid City Main Street Square)

www.thedahl.org (events/classes in a faciiity managed by the Rapid City Arts Council)

www.journevmuseum.org (natural history museum)

www.visitrapidcitv.com (Convention & Visitors Bureau)

www.rapidcitychamber.com (Rapid CityChamber of Commerce)

www.gotmine.com (Rushmore Plaza CivicCenter)

www.rapidcityjournal.com (Rapid City newspaper)

www.crh.noaa.gov/unr (Weather information)

www.nps.gov/moru (Mount Rushmore)

www.crazvhorse.org (Crazy Horse Monument)

www.nps.gov/deto (Devils Tower)

www.nps.gov.badl (Badlands National Park)

www.sdgfp.info/Parks/Regions/Custer/index.htm (Custer State Park]

www.spearfish.com/canyon (Spearfish Canyon)

www.skimystic.com (local ski resort)

www.terrvpeak.com (local ski resort)

http://www.kevn.com (Black HillsFOXchannel)

http://www.kotatv.com (local ABCchannel)

http://www.keloland.com (local CBSchannel)

www.newscenterl.tv (LocalNBCchannel)

www.militaryfamily.org (spouse scholarships/youth summer camps)

www.militaryonesource ..com (listing of national resources for military families)

www.211.org(listingof localresources)

www.af.mil(official USAir Force site)

www.redcross.org

Updated: April 2014

Family Resources Guide(Addendum A: Updated [un 12)

Air Force Aid Society: Assists Airmen and families as financial emergencies occur andoffers community enhancement programs that supplement childcare, educational needsand deployment support of family members. The program is administered through Airman& Family Readiness Centers on Air Force installations.http://wwW.afas.org/ (800) 769-8951

Air Force Association: Promotes public understanding of aerospace power and thepivotal role it plays in the security of the nation through professional development,outreach programs and national symposia. AFAalso presents scholarships and grants to AFActive Duty, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve members and their dependents.http://www.afa.org/ (800) 727-3337

Air Force Casualty Assistance: Provides information on Casualty AssistanceRepresentatives and Survivor Benefit plans. www.afpc.randolph.af.mil; click "Air ForceCasual Services."

Air Force Sergeants Association: Represents the professional and personal interests ofall enlisted grades of Air Force active-duty, ANG,and AFRC,retired, veteran, and familymembers. www.hqafsa.org/ (800) 638-0594

Air Force Services: Provides mission sustaining combat support and community serviceto Airmen and their families every day at deployed and home station locations.http://www.usafservices.com/

Air Force Survivor Assistance Program: Provides resources for seriously wounded, ill,and injured, their families, and families of the fallen.http://www.mortuary.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-100422-012.pdf1-877-USAF-HELP (1-877-872-3435)

Air Force Villages: Amilitary retirement community that welcomes retired andhonorably separated military officers from all branches of military service, their spouses,widows, widowers and eligible dependents.http://www.airforcevillages.com/(800) 984-4081

Air Force Wounded Warrior Program: Provides individualized personal support toAirmen who are ill or wounded in support of combat operations.http://www.woundedwarrior.af.mil/(800) 581-9437

Armed Services YMCA:Provides support services to military service members and theirfamilies for more than 140 years. The essential programs are childcare, hospital assistance,spouse support services, food services, computer training classes, health and wellnessservices, and holiday meals. Find a local branch at http://www.asymca.org

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Army Spouse Battle Book: While originally developed by spouses of students of the U.S.Army War College, this valuable resource guide is helpful for all military spouses to addressthe many challenges that face today's military leaders, service members, and their families.http://www.carlisle.army.mil/usawc/mfp Ibattlebook/default.cfm

Boys and Girls Clubs of America (BGCA): Air Force Youth Programs and BGCAbegantheir partnership in 1995 to provide a variety of programs, training, and grantopportunities to installation youth programs. BGCAprograms also support AFR/ANGfamilies who do not live near a military installation, and those who move to off-baselocations during the deployment of their parents.www.bgca.org (404) 487-5700

Fisher House: Donates "comfort homes" to allow family members to be close to a lovedone during the hospitalization for an unexpected illness, disease, or injury. There is at leastone Fisher House at every major military medical center.http://www.fisherhouse.org/ (888) 294-8560

Military Child Education Coalition: A non-profit, worldwide organization focused onensuring quality educational opportunities for all military children affected by mobility,family separation and transition.www.militarychild.org (254) 953-1923

Military Impacted Schools Association: Military Impacted Schools Association (MISA) isa national organization of school superintendents. Our mission is to serve school districtswith a high concentration of military children.www.militaryimpactedschoolsassociation.org(cbellevue@aol.co m)

Military OneSource: Provides access to web-based Department of Defense resources forthe Total Force and their families. It is a virtual extension of installation services.www.militaryonesource.com/(800) 342-9647

Military Officers Association of America: The "leading voice on compensation andbenefit matters for all members of the military community." MOAAprovides expert adviceand guidance to its members.http://www.moaa.org/ (800) 234-6622

Military Spouse Corporate Career Network (MSCCN): Provides employment referraland job placement solutions to military spouses, war wounded, caregivers of war wounded.'and veterans and transitioning military through Vet Connect Jobs program, at no cost tothem. www.msccn.org/ (877) 696-7226

My Air Force Life: "MyAir Force Life"website offers up-to-date information on contestsand programs sponsored by Services and Force Support Squadrons and is designed to helpmembers stay connected, informed and engaged in the many programs offered to militaryfamilies by Force Support Squadrons. www.myairforcelife.com

National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies (NACCRRA):Provides two programs to help geographically-separated Air Force members find child carein their communities. Military Child Care in Your Neighborhood (MCCYN)meets child careneeds of Airmen living in off-base areas where on-base military child care is not available.Operation Military Child Care supports Guard and Reservists when activated or deployed.In both cases, child care subsidies are paid directly to the child care provider.www.naccrra.org 703-341-4100

National Military Family Association: Represents the interests of family members of theuniformed services. Activities revolve around programs to educate the public, the militarycommunity, and Congress on the rights and benefits of military families.www.nmfa.org (703) 931-6632

Operation Homefront (OHF): Provides emergency financial and other assistance to thefamilies of our service members and wounded warriors.http://www.operationhomefront.net

Specialized Training of Military Parents (STOMP): Federally funded Parent Trainingand Information (PTI) Center established to assist military families who have children withspecial education or health needs.http://www.stompproject.org/ 1-800-5- PARENT (1-800-572-7368)

Sittercity: Connects families with quality local in-home caregivers, with over 1 millioncaregivers nationwide. A no-cost membership is available to all military families - activeduty, AFR, and ANG. The Sittercity membership gives the service members online access tolocal caregivers with profiles that include pictures, parent reviews, references, backgroundchecks, and more. Sittercity is the nation's largest and most trusted website for findingquality local babysitters, child care providers, nannies, elder care providers, dog walkers,housekeepers, tutors, and more! www.sittercity.com/dod

ThanksUSA: A non-partisan, charitable effort to mobilize Americans of all ages to "thank"the men and women of the United States armed forces.http;llwww.thanksusa.org/1-877-THX-USAS (1-877-849-8727)

Tutor.com: U.S.military reservists and their dependents are eligible for a freemembership to Tutor.com. Tutor.com can assist with all subjects grades K-12 andintroductory college courses. In addition, career specialists can help with resume writingand job searching. The tutor and the user will work together in a secure online classroomwhere they are able to chat, draw on a shared whiteboard, upload files, and browse theweb together. Tutors are available 24/7 and can access the program from any internet­enabled computer worldwide. Every session is live and one-to-one.www.tutor.com/airforce

United States Department of Agriculture/a-H: Air Force Youth Programs and 4-Hpartnership provides grants to states and territories establishing 4-H clubs on militaryinstallations and support for youth ages 6-18 years. The partnership also provides

collaborations with land grant universities throughout the country for a variety of researchand family-related programs. http://www.nationaI4-hheadQuarters.goy/ 202-401-4114

United States Department of Veterans Affairs: Principal advocate for America'sVeterans, ensuring that they receive medical care, benefits, social support, and lastingmemorials promoting the health, welfare, and dignity of all Veterans in recognition of theirservice to this Nation. http://www.ya.goy/ VABenefits: 1-800-827-1000, Education (GIBill): 1-888-442-4551, Health Care Benefits: (877) 222-8387

United Service Organizations (USO): The usa is a private, nonprofit organization whosemission is to support the troops by providing morale, welfare and recreation-type servicesto our men and women in uniform.http://www.uso.org/ (888) 484-3876