To many, the word deployment means fatality or some other word that scares many civilians. But to military families we are all too familiar with the word. We dread it every time it rolls around, but here deployment is just another thing we have to conquer. The media portrays deployments as deadly and sad, which they can be. But the media often forgets about the ones left behind during the deployments. And if they do remember the families, the truth is often not told. But that’s what I’m here for. Here are five truths about deployments.
1. Everything that can go wrong, will go wrong.
Literally. Cars break down on the hottest day of summer, leaving you to walk to the nearest building because your phone died, and you have to call a tow truck. The day after the plane takes off, you’re stuck calling a plumber because the sink started to leak. Oh, and you’ll have to endure several tornadoes and massive historic floods. You will also have to do all of the housework by yourself.
2. We don't watch the news.
Why worry yourself more than you already do? During deployments I don’t want to know what’s going on overseas. I don’t need the extra anxiety. Even if something bad did happen to my dad when he was deployed, there is a process that the military has to go through before the media can be notified. Families always find out tragedies and injuries before the media. Having said that, we don’t watch the news.
3. We spend our days as busy as possible.
Finding something to fill our days when the boys are gone is a definite. It’s easier to deal with your loved one being gone for so long if you have plenty to keep you busy with. My mom facilitated several Bible studies for nine months during a deployment. We were constantly busy with the group of spouses and their children. You just find your niche and go for it. And before you know it (kind of) the deployment is over.
4. We become more attached to the phone and Skype than ever.
Phone calls and Skype dates are far and few between. The time difference is super weird and the internet connection in places like Afghanistan and Iraq are terrible. But even when you see that pixelated picture of your soldier, it’s worth it. Their movements and voice may be totally discombobulated, but it’s worth it.
5. Everyday problems become minuscule.
The “normal” problems we all have everyday don’t seem to matter. After your loved one comes back, those problems still don’t matter. As military families, we face so many different obstacles in our lives. Those little everyday problems just seem silly compared to the big picture.
Deployments are hard. They are the most stressful thing that us military families face, yet everyone I know handles each deployment with grace. We don’t get used to deployments. I never have and I never will. But we do get used to the idea of deployments. It never gets easier. We just get stronger.
