Deployment

[navymalespouse]

What is the maximum length of time for deployment for a female sailor (I don't think that matters)? Her rating is AM.  I was under the assumption, max was 6 months? However, I am getting some other information.

thanks.

[Angie]

having none issued blankets is up to each ship, if they do have them and can't leave them out on their rack, they take up LOTS of room in their locker.

[ariel042109]

I agree with everyone that says anything is possible with the Navy.  Everyone will have a different viewpoint.  Remember to be flexible and to support your spouse.  Take one step at a time.

[IdahoNavyMom]

I am new to this so I don't know much... but one thing that helped me was after my sailor was able to tell me what ship he would be on I looked that up and found out more about what that type of ship does and what is considered a normal deployment for that ship.  I also recommend the ombudsman once you know which ship :D

[MWD Mom]

How do you join the group for sailors on deployment in Iraq or Afganistan.?

[BunkerQB]

I assume you are looking for other moms with sailors in Iraq or Afghanistan.  Here is the link to that group. Just click and click +JOIN.
 http://www.navyformoms.com/group/momswithkidsiniraq? 

[Jo Griffith]

I also have a question about deployment.  I can tell that my son is concerned about a future deployment.  He is concerned about his wife and how she will handle it because he will be unreachable for a while.  Any encouraging words for him?  How can I be supportive to her without overwhelming her or smothering her?  They have been married 2 years and she has been a blessing to our family. 

 

[Jo Griffith]

Thanks for the advice.  She is very far from me right now, but a weekly phone call won't hurt.  I also need to let her know I am available and positive.  He will be away for their anniversary, so random flowers are also a cool idea.  I really appreciate the input.

 

[Fur&FeathersDVM]

My husband (then fiance) was very worried the first time we went through a deployment. He had just finished officer training and had no idea what his communication level would be like when he got to the ship. So what he did was he set up e cards to send to me, one for every day for the first month he was gone- just cute little things to let me know he was thinking about me. And then he also pre-wrote letters for me to read, and made videos for specific things- for example, he made one for me to watch before going to bed of him saying good night, one for if I had a bad dream, one wishing me luck on exams, one for if I wasn't feeling well, etc. He also arranged for flower delivery on random days, which my mother paid for out of her bank account and he paid her back so that I wouldn't see the money coming out of our account. I hid notes in his things and it was always fun getting the emails saying "I found your note today!". If they are missing any big things like birthdays, anniversaries, etc. I recommend leaving the person (whether its' the sailor or spouse) with a card for that celebration because mail is unreliable. Also, if possible, I highly, highly recommend hand writing letters in addition to emails- emails can be very impersonable and while it's a great quick way to communicate, it loses some of the romance of a handwritten letter! (Although I realize this option is not available on all ships!) Please let him know that his wife will have an amazing support group and encourage her to join this site. When my husband is gone I am always surprised at the compassion people show when they find out that he's gone, even if I don't know them very well. And let them know that it will go by quicker than they think- just have to take it one day at a time and it is surprising how quickly the weeks slip by!

As far as what you can do- it really depends on her! I am a very independent person, so I don't look to others for support very much. My in laws and I used to have a great relationship, but we live too far away to make regular visits, so we would chat on the phone once a week and I would forward a lot of his emails on to them. They just let me know that if I ever wanted to talk, they were there (I often find it comforting to talk about happy memories with my husband when he is gone). Unfortunately we don't have the best relationship anymore, but I still forward my husband's emails on to them so they know what's going on (he rarely has time to email us both). There are going to be days when she wants to talk and days she doesn't. Just make sure she knows you love her and that you are there to support her.  And let her know if she wants her privacy, you're happy to give it to her. She'll appreciate it :)

[Jo Griffith]

Wonderful ideas!  These will help me make the time go faster as well. 

[politelytwisted]

I agree with you Inga. There are rates in the Navy that may never see a boat. My husband and I were part of the aviation side of the house and being overseas stationed on a NATO base which served as a hub to the fleet was sea duty credit. This may no longer be true but my husband retired after 20 years without ever serving time aboard ship and I was in for 8 years and also never deployed.

[Madame Determination]

Politelytwisted....Are there any rating you know of that wiull more than likely NOT deploy?