The Emotional Cycle of Deployment – During Deployment (FEB 2013)1

The Emotional Cycle of Deployment: During Deployment

FACILITATOR’S NAMEDate

The Emotional Cycle of Deployment – During Deployment (FEB 2013)2

Objectives

• Discuss the stages of the emotional cycle of deployment.

• Identify common characteristics of the during deployment stages and corresponding coping strategies.

The Emotional Cycle of Deployment – During Deployment (FEB 2013)3

The Emotional Cycle of Deployment

Reintegration and

Stabilization

Anticipation of Departure

Detachment and

Withdrawal

Emotional Disorganization

Recovery and Stabilization

Anticipation of Return

Return Adjustment

and Renegotiation

Pre Deployment

Deployment

Post Deployment

The Emotional Cycle of Deployment – During Deployment (FEB 2013)4

Anticipation of DepartureDetachment and Withdrawal

Reintegration and

Stabilization

Anticipation of Departure

Detachment and

Withdrawal

Emotional Disorganization

Recovery and Stabilization

Anticipation of Return

Return Adjustment

and Renegotiation

Pre Deployment

• Denial • Anticipation of the loss• Feeling conflict• Frequent disagreements • Anger and resentment• Restlessness• Depression• Irritability • Emotional distance

• Sadness• Despair• Hopelessness• Increasing conflict• Lack of energy• Indecisive• “What ifs”

The Emotional Cycle of Deployment – During Deployment (FEB 2013)5

Emotional Disorganization

Reintegration and

Stabilization

Anticipation of Departure

Detachment and

Withdrawal

Emotional Disorganization

Recovery and Stabilization

Anticipation of Return

Return Adjustment

and Renegotiation

Deployment

• Restless• Confused• Disorganized• Indecisive• Irritable• Sleep Difficulty • Anxiety• Lonely• Frustrated

The Emotional Cycle of Deployment – During Deployment (FEB 2013)6

Recovery and Stabilization

Reintegration and

Stabilization

Anticipation of Departure

Detachment and

Withdrawal

Emotional Disorganization

Recovery and Stabilization

Anticipation of Return

Return Adjustment

and Renegotiation

Deployment

The Emotional Cycle of Deployment – During Deployment (FEB 2013)7

Recovery and Stabilization Exercise

• Work as a table.• Concentrate on Recovery and Stabilization section.

1. What are some coping strategies to overcome the actions and feelings in the first two columns on Handout 1?

2. What do you find is the biggest challenge in this stage? And how are you overcoming it?

3. How are you dealing with long-distance parenting?

The Emotional Cycle of Deployment – During Deployment (FEB 2013)8

Anticipation of Return

Reintegration and

Stabilization

Anticipation of Departure

Detachment and

Withdrawal

Emotional Disorganization

Recovery and Stabilization

Anticipation of Return

Return Adjustment

and Renegotiation

Deployment

The Emotional Cycle of Deployment – During Deployment (FEB 2013)9

Anticipation of Return Exercise

• Work as a table.• Concentrate on Anticipation of Return section.

1. What are some coping strategies to overcome the feelings in the first two columns on Handout 1?

2. What are some things you are doing now that the Service Member did before the deployment? How will that affect you? Will you need to “give them back”? Do you want to?

3. What is the challenge for the Service Member at this time? 4. When do you tell the children about the return? 5. How do you think family members not in the Service

Member’s household feel as they look forward to the return?

The Emotional Cycle of Deployment – During Deployment (FEB 2013)10

Return Adjustment and Renegotiation

Reintegration and

Stabilization

Anticipation of Departure

Detachment and

Withdrawal

Emotional Disorganization

Recovery and Stabilization

Anticipation of Return

Return Adjustment

and Renegotiation

Post Deployment

• Make up for past months

• Less independence• Resentment• Irritability• Negotiate new

normal

The Emotional Cycle of Deployment – During Deployment (FEB 2013)11

Reintegration and Stabilization

Reintegration and

Stabilization

Anticipation of Departure

Detachment and

Withdrawal

Emotional Disorganization

Recovery and Stabilization

Anticipation of Return

Return Adjustment

and Renegotiation

Post Deployment

• Patience• Communication• Go slow• Lower expectations• Take your time

The Emotional Cycle of Deployment – During Deployment (FEB 2013)12

Deployment Resources

• General /Specific: www.militaryonesource.com

• Deployment Information: http://www.afterdeployment.org/

• Financial: www.dfas.mil

• Fort Family: www.arfp.org/index.php/programs/fort-family-outreach-and-support

• Military Family Network: www.emilitary.org

• Joint Service Support: https://www.jointservicessupport.org/

• Operation Military Kids: http://www.nifa.usda.gov/nea/family/part/youthdev_part_military.html

• Military Homefront: www.militaryhomefront.dod.mil

• http://www.yellowribbon.mil/event-support (The Emotional Cycle of Deployment)

The Emotional Cycle of Deployment – During Deployment (FEB 2013)13

Benefits:• a smoother overall deployment experience • recognize your emotions, strong or intense, are

normal• plan ways to support the ones you care about• try new positive coping strategies• manage stress better• openly share your feelings• help children cope• handle multiple deployments• build resilience

Understanding The Emotional Cycle of Deployment

The Emotional Cycle of Deployment – During Deployment (FEB 2013)14

Objectives

• Discuss the stages of the emotional cycle of deployment.

• Identify common characteristics of the during deployment stages and corresponding coping strategies.

The Emotional Cycle of Deployment – During Deployment (FEB 2013)15

The Emotional Cycle of Deployment: During Deployment

FACILITATOR’S NAMEDate