Understanding the Three Phases of Deployment Can Assist Military Children to Achieve Academically by Michael Robinson

Understanding the Three Phases of Deployment Recently released statistics revealed

that more than 500,000 American children have one or both parents serving in the National Guard or its Reserves alone. This is a significant fact when you consider the National Guard is currently being utilized in this Nation’s war on terror, with an estimated 300,000 members engaged in protecting America from terrorism (Surles, 2004).

Understanding the Three Phases of Deployment

Deployment is not easy for children; research indicates children of deployed parents have a myriad of emotional and social reactions to separation (Surles, 2004). Two obvious signals are:

• Withdrawal• behavioral disruptions

Understanding the Three Phases of Deployment` Understanding the emotional and

social implications to children due to parental deployment is crucial when developing programs, services and resources for families experiencing deployment. There are three nationally accepted definitions and stages of deployment:

Understanding the Three Phases of Deployment

There are three nationally accepted definitions and stages of deployment:

• Pre-deployment• Deployment• Reunion

Understanding the Three Phases of Deployment• Pre-deployment: It is important for

educational systems to understand this stage can last several weeks or just a matter of hours. Regardless of the time frame, the focus on providing immediate support to children has to be paramount

• Deployment: Research has indicated one of the most important things educators can do for children while their parents are deployed is to develop ways to keep the parent connected to their child’s education and life

Understanding the Three Phases of Deployment• Reunion: Understanding that the

reunification process begins long before the parent arrives. It is during this time the child may experience mixed emotions. Realizing these emotions are happening, it is suggested that the professional staff in schools meet to discuss the parent homecoming with the child and what it means to the child and the family

How Can School Systems Support the Children of Deployed Military Service Personnel?

School Systems Support the Children of Deployed Military Service PersonnelPre-Deployment: • Provide when needed or requested sessions with

the Professional School Counselor both group and individual to include the school psychologist.

• Use the information regarding deployment to discuss it from a Social Studies perspective and tie it into other related content areas.

• Train school staff on the social and emotional needs of military students.

• Increase related literature in the Parent/Community Resource rooms.

School Systems Support the Children of Deployed Military Service PersonnelDeployment:• Provide when needed or requested sessions with

the Professional School Counselor both group and individual to include the school psychologist.

• Consider having a Family Support Night: Could be held on a quarterly basis coordinated by the School’s Formal Parent Organization (PTA/PTO).

• Establish a Parent Hotline where deployed parents can reach their children during the school day.

• Assign mentors to work with children.

School Systems Support the Children of Deployed Military Service Personnel• E-mail Progress Reports and Report cards

to deployed parent (s) (if approved). • Connect secondary students with

community organizations in the area for service learning opportunities.

School Systems Support the Children of Deployed Military Service Personnel• Reunion:

Provide when needed or requested sessions with the Professional School Counselor both group and individual to include the school psychologist.

• Invite deployed parents who have returned to discuss their career, experience or future goals.

• Have a formal welcome home announcement regarding the parent return, using the school’s newsletter, website and marquee.

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