I totally forgot to mention this last night at our meeting, so let me pass this on to everyone. If you’ve never read it (though I’m sure most of you have!), definitely get a copy of “Surviving Deployment” by Karen M. Pavlicin. Though I would say it’s geared more toward active families than reserve/Guard, she does a great job of breaking down deployment for what it is and giving you the info you need to know when it comes to the practical stuff. She also talks about the emotional cycle of deployment, and I was looking this morning and I think she breaks it down better than that print off I handed out to you last night that I got from another website.

Phases and Stages of Deployment
(Source: Surviving Deployment, Karen M. Pavlicin)

Phase 1 – Pre-deployment – Preparation
Phase 2 – Deployment – Separation
Phase 3 – Post-deployment – Homecoming/Reunion

Phase 1 – Pre-deployment/Preparation
Stage 1 – Shock/denial/anger
Stage 2 – Anticipation of loss
Stage 3 – Emotional Detachment

Phase 2 – Deployment/Separation
Stage 4 – Disorientation/depression
Stage 5 – Adaptation
Stage 6 – Anticipation of homecoming
Stage 6 1/2 – (sometimes) Deployment extension

Phase 3 – Post-deployment/Homecoming/Reunion
Stage 7 – Honeymoon
Stage 8 – Reintegration

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