Receiving Orders: The moment your guardian receives their orders for deployment is the step that starts the process of having a family member deploy. Deployment can come unexpected at times and holds highest priority for soldiers. As soon as they receive orders of deployment plans to move are cancelled, vacations called off, everything is changed as families prepare for the deployment.

Packing: Watching your guardian start packing up all their required equipment can be tough. By the time packing, many are still processing that one of their family members is leaving. This can be a tough time and the house can be eerily quiet as everyone starts to go through the motions of having someone leave.

Drop Off: One of the hardest steps that one must take. Most of the time, drop off is very early in the morning. The sun has yet to rise. Everyone is up and the ride has quiet talking or no noise at all, everyone lost in their thoughts. No one wants to say goodbye, not with the possibility of never seeing each other again. One of the hardest things is to try to hold in your tears, to try and look strong for the one leaving.

Messaging: From postcards to Skype calls, having erratic contact brings life to deployments. Computer always turned on, the family gathers around a computer to talk to the one gone. A constant reassurance that they are okay and most likely wasting time by playing pingpong. The worst moments is when they miss a call, even if they are just sleeping, the fear is the same.

Break: The best part of a long deployment is when they come home for a week visit. Time off from school and work, the family hangs out as family. Spending days together after months of only videos and emails make life great until it is once again time to say goodbye.

Second Goodbye: The hardest goodbye there is. Just as you get used to having your guardian back, it is time to say goodbye again. Time to once again hide tears. Maybe a break down in the counselor’s office takes control. No one loves saying goodbye and watching a person they admire leave again. Life goes back to letters, emails, and Skype as problems are hidden to make life easier for the one gone. Eyes are constantly on the news as we watch for attacks near our family.
Homecoming: The happiest day of a military child’s life. The day their family comes home. The day we have been assured that they are home safely. Gathering with about 20 other families, sitting patiently in stands, “Welcome Home” banners waving, all are talking quietly during the ceremony of return. Cheers are shouted from families when their loved one is called and appears from the back. Tears fall as people rush from the stands into the arms of their soldier. Even if there are tears, it is the happiest day in a military child’s life, even coming before getting one’s i.d privilege card.