As we train civilian providers around the country through our Star Behavioral Health Providers (SBHP) program, one thing that is new to many people---is the fact that reintegration is frequently more stressful for military-connected families than the deployment itself.
Despite the current COVID-19 pandemic, our Service members are still preparing to deploy and stand the watch in critical locations around the world and now at home. The current crisis has made deployments even more disruptive with deployment extensions and last-minute activations as our nation and states embrace for the consequences of this pandemic while maintaining our overseas presence. The personal impact of these deployments is still significant for our service members and their families, and especially for their children.
Military deployments and family separations due to trainings and other military duties are not easy – not for the Service members nor for the spouses left behind. These military experiences can place significant stress on couples which can result in marital dissatisfaction. Therefore, understanding the specific ways these military experiences impact couples as well as identifying interventions that help combat relationship distress is of critical importance.
The first time my husband deployed was just a few short weeks after we got married. We had a son who was three and a half at the time, yet the three of us had never actually lived together. To say we received more than our share of doubts that our family would “make it” would be putting it lightly.
In October 2012, I wrote one of my very first blog entries for the Center for Deployment Psychology (CDP) on the topic of the American Red Cross and their support for military families. Seven years later and in honor of Military Family Appreciation Month, I want to take this opportunity to remind our readers of this very special organization and the great work that the American Red Cross carries out daily in support of America’s military and Veteran families.