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Referrals from command leadership are vital to the ongoing success of service members. By referring service members to Fleet & Family Support Program (FFSP), it is possible to keep their focus on work - and possibly prevent issues that impact mission readiness.
FFSP professionals can also assist command leadership in making decisions about the best course of action for service members.
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| Before Your IA Deploys |
Preparation can help an IA maintain mission readiness and increase the success of the mission.
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Pre-Deployment Briefs: Educate IAs and their family members about common reactions during and following a combat or hazardous duty assignment, along with general deployment issues that affect families. |
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Financial Preparation: Certified Financial Educators offer personalized sessions on preparing for an extended overseas deployment. Additionally, those deployed overseas may qualify for special tax and savings benefits. |
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Navy Family Accountability & Assessment System (NFAAS): FFSP can help Sailors and families understand the Navy Family Accountability & Assessment System (NFAAS) and how it is used both by your command and by FFSP professionals. Even if your Sailor is single, they may designate parents, significant others, or friends for support from FFSP while they are deployed.
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| During Deployment |
During deployment, you may encounter a family in need of extra support. In addition to your Ombudsman, FFSP has a role in supporting the family and helping them thrive during deployment. This support network can help the deployed IA stay mission focused, knowing the family is being assisted.
Each installation offers additional programming for family members of IAs. Some events are geared toward adults, with free child care.
Other services available for families include:
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| After Your IA Returns |
Extended deployments impact everyone in different ways. Additionally, there are unique circumstances when someone is deployed to a combat zone or hazardous duty assignment. It is very common for people to experience emotional aftershocks when they have witnessed or were involved in highly stressful or life-threatening situations.
Initially, your IA may experience sleep disturbances, difficulty relating to family and friends, take unnecessary risks like driving too fast, and find it challenging to relax. FFSP has developed a program to aid service members in readjusting to life post-deployment.
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Discussion Groups: Due to the unique nature of an IA deployment, your IA may not have anyone in the command who has had a similar experience. FFSP discussion groups offer IAs a chance to connect with others who have been there, done that, and are making the same transition back into the workplace, family life, and the community. Research has shown that having an IA attend at the 30, 60, 90, and 120 day intervals aids in successful reintegration. |
After a few months, your IAs reactions should begin to decrease. However, if your IA continues to have these experiences, it may be time to seek assistance from your local Fleet & Family Support Center, Chaplain, or medical treatment facility.
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READY
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REACTING
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INJURED
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ILL
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| Positive attitude |
Worried |
Intense emotions |
Its been more than 60 days and problems haven’t improved |
| Effective communication |
Excessive escape (via TV, Internet, gambling, etc.) |
Social isolation |
| Feel on top of things |
Muscle tension and fatigue |
Suicidal or homicidal thoughts |
Having a hard time functioning most of the time |
| Able to relax |
Reduced concentration |
Substance abuse |
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