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Deployment is, hands-down, one of the worst parts of military life. Everyone knows that.
And the days leading up to deployment are some of the worst.
Those weeks and days are emotional and full of dread. Even if your service member is eager and willing to deploy, you can bet that they are dreading saying goodbye.
Here are 4 things no one tells you before deployment.
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1. Deployment is Expensive
No one tells you that deploying is expensive!
I honestly lost track of how much money Heff spent before he left for this European rotation. Just the things he needed cost more than $500 and that didn’t include the things that he wanted – the things that would make the rotation a little more comfortable for him.
He needed another ground uniform, European outlet adapters, new socks, a charging brick, new cold-weather gear, toiletries, etc.
Then we bought some of his wants: a Nintendo Switch and games, new books, a neck pillow, snacks, etc.
Thankfully, we had the money and were able to get these things. But there have been times when we couldn’t afford these extra expenses. And I’m sure that we’re not alone in that struggle.
Don’t be fooled into thinking that the Army provides everything you need, because getting ready for deployment is expensive!
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2. It’s Normal to Argue Before Deployment
Before deployment, you will argue with each other. No one wants to talk about it, but that doesn’t mean that it isn’t happening.
Emotions are HIGH before deployment. A lot is going on at work and home for service members. And a lot is going on for spouses and children too.
Dreading an approaching deployment can almost be as bad as the deployment itself.
It puts you in a state of constant anxiety. You feel like you need to make this time ‘count’. You may try to squeeze in too much and make things stressful or you may not plan enough and sit around the house getting on each other’s nerves.
The days and weeks before deployment are not going to be perfect. They’re not going to be a dreamy, love-y, honeymoon phase like you might hope they’ll be. It’s a sad and stressful time.
Indeed, you might also give each other extra attention and affection, but arguing before deployment is normal. Don’t let other spouses’ social media convince you that it’s not.
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3. His Packing Will Wreck Your House
Packing for a 9-month trip isn’t an easy task, especially when the military is involved.
No matter how much you try to keep your house picked up, there will be gear, uniforms, packing lists, documents, and to-do items that are lying around half-done. The whole house will be a wreck.
Don’t let it get to you and don’t think that you’re the only one. It’ll get cleaned up, eventually, after they’re gone and you have nothing to do, but mope around and clean up.
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4. Deployment Days Don’t Get Easier
I stupidly thought that the longer I lived this Army life, the easier it would get.
I was wrong.
Why on God’s green earth did I ever think that deployments would get easier as my girls got older?
If anything, it’s WORSE – much, much worse!
Dropping their dad off this time was the worst ‘see you later’ we’ve ever had. My kids were devastated. I was devastated. It was just horrible.
I had planned to stay with Heff until they did roll call before they got in formation, but my kids were already so upset that we didn’t even make it out of the parking lot.
We all thought it was best if we left then instead of dragging out their misery for the next couple of hours. (And good thing we did, because we dropped him off at 1:00 and he didn’t get on the bus until after 7:00 that night!)
Don’t make the mistake of thinking that deployment days will get easier. I’ve been an Army wife for 11 years now and it still sucks.
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There is so much more to military life than you could ever know before you married into it.
People like to say, “You knew what you were getting into.” But that is absolutely NOT TRUE.
Normally, I try to keep things on the blog upbeat, but that’s not always the reality of military life. And I wish someone would have told me these things before deployment.
If you want to see what we’re doing during this deployment to stay busy, check out our new Deployment Bucket List or follow me on Instagram!
You can also check back for Deployment Updates:
Thank you!! He deploys in a few days and this was so helpful!!!
Aww, I’m glad it helps! And I’m praying that this deployment goes FAST for you and your family.