Loving a Marine has unique challenges for husbands, wives, girlfriends and boyfriends. During your Marine's deployment, support from home comes from healthy family members. Your mental health, safety and well-being is as important as your Marine's mental health, safety and well-being. Remember to take care of YOU during deployment.
Coping with War-Related Stress
Talk About It:
By talking with others, particularly other military spouses, you will relieve stress and realize that other people share your feelings. Support groups exist at most military installations. If there's one available to you, join; if not, consider starting one. If you feel overwhelmed, ask for help. It's not a sign of weakness. Talk with a trusted relative, friend, family services staffer, minister or rabbi. Military chaplains can be helpful, as most receive training in pastoral counseling and crisis. Don't let yourself become isolated.
Take Care of Your Physical Health:
Get plenty of rest and exercise, avoid excessive drinking and drugs, and eat properly. Avoid foods that are high in fats and calories.
Limit your exposure to the news media:
Especially avoid around-the-clock television news coverage and the Internet. The images, rumors and speculation can be very damaging to your sense of well-being.
Engage in activities that you find relaxing and soothing:
Plant flowers, attend a concert, visit an art gallery, or take a long bath. Be kind to yourself.
Do something positive:
Get involved in activities that encourage togetherness and reassurance. Contact community volunteer organizations to see how you can help. Give blood, prepare "care packages" for service men and women or write letters to people in the military. Support a friend or neighbor who is having a difficult time.
Seek Treatment:
If you have strong feelings that won't go away or you are troubled for more than four to six weeks, you may want to seek professional help. People who have had previous mental health problems and who have survived past trauma may also want to check in with a mental health care professional. Nearly every military installation has a Family Service Center, Family Support Center or Army Community Service Center (depending on the branch of service) where you can access information, referral, counseling, and crisis intervention services.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do we know if they have arrived safely?
The toll free numbers at marineparents.com offer pre-recorded, yet up-to-date information about specific unit deployments and Marine activities overseas. This provides great information...use them!
How do we get the overseas mailing address for our Marine?
You may also use the numbers at marineparents.com for your specific unit. They will answer any kind of question, including mailing addresses, power or attorney, and more. The numbers are based on the region your Marine was most recently stationed in.
How long does it take to hear from your Marine after they've been deployed?
My best estimated calculation based on input from many other parents, is that mail being sent home is taking about 2 1/2 weeks from the date the Marine sent it. When our Marines hit the ground overseas, they stay phenomenally busy and likely do not get a chance to send letters the first week or more. So that puts it about a month or so to hear from your Marine.
My deployed Marine has moved to a new location. Will his mail be forwarded?
The official answer is YES, mail and packages will be forwarded. It will take some time for all the changes to take place and for the old mail to catch up to the new location. Packages will take longer.
Why does it take so long for them to recieve their packages?
Once the APO/FPO addressed mail reaches the East or West coast, the military takes over delivery. The military is responsible for delivery of the packages, and the military is also responsible for getting the troops and equipment and necessary supplies in position at overseas locations. Though your care packages are very important to both you and your Marine, we have to step back and trust that the military is prioritizing delivery of packages strategically and with our Marine's best interests in mind.
