What you need to know
Leaving your family behind is generally the hardest part of deployment, and often causes a great deal of stress for both the soldier and the spouse because the details of deployment - length, location, etc - can be vague or confusing.
This is why it is important that you have everything in order before you deploy, because a lot of things can not be done after you've already left.
Your local Army
Community Service locations on post can help you with booklets to get more
information, and your unit, as well as the JAG on post can give you further
info. Don't hesitate to get information, ever.
Things to do before getting Mobilized or Deployed
- Gather important documents in one place. Important documents are titles
to your vehicle(s), birth certificates, insurance policies, shot records,
and tax or banking information.
- Review any legal arrangements you may have. Very importantly, make sure
that your insurance policy and your will are in order, and that your family
knows where they are located. If you do not have a will yet, please see your
local JAG office and create one.
- If you don't have family remaining in your home while you are deployed,
rent a safe deposit box and place all your important paperwork there.
- See your JAG to set up a power of attorney for your spouse or someone
you trust.
- Find out about family assistance services for your loved ones that you
leave behind. Your local JAG and Army Community Service should be able to
point you toward programs that are relevant to your family. Try and get your
spouse involved with your unit's Family Support or Family Readiness Group
prior to you deploying.
Mobilization Checklist
When you arrive at your mobilization site prior to shipping out with your unit, or when your unit is getting ready to deploy from its home station, you will need to have the following information ready for them.
Family Care Plan
Single soldiers with dependents and married military couples must complete the forms listed below. Please remember that all forms have to be notarized in order to be accepted. You can click the links to download these forms as .pdf files so you can print and fill them in.
-
DA Form 5840-R, Certificate of Acceptance as Guardian or Escort
-
DA Form 5841-R, Special Instruction Related to Power of Attorney
-
DA Form 5305-R, Family Care Plan
-
DD Form 2558, Authorization to Start, Stop or Change an Allotment
-
Written instructions identifying who will accept your dependents and where they will be residing.
- SF Form 1199A, Direct Deposit Sign-Up Form
- DD Form 93, Record of Emergency Data
- DD Form 1172, Application for Uniformed Services Identification Card
- SGLV Form
8286, Service Members Group Life Insurance
- Previously issued DD Form 214(s)
- Birth Certificates of ALL dependents (notarized or raised seal)
- Adoption papers (if applicable) (notarized)
- Marriage License
- Soldier's ID Card
- Divorce Decree (if applicable) (notarized)
- ID Tags
- Apartment Rental Agreement / Contract (if applicable)
- Civilian Medical / Dental Records (Copy) - medical documentation for profile
- Legal guardianship papers (if applicable)
- Last Will & Testament (if applicable)
- Unmarried children (over 21 and incapacitated), a statement from the doctor identifying whether temporary or permanent disability. If temporary, statement must identify how long. (Statement must be certified.)
- Children over 21, under 23, full-time student, statement from the school (certified)
- Court Ordered Child Support (if applicable)
- Legal Custody papers if NOT in divorce decree
- If requesting Dependent ID Cards by mail, an 8x10 full face photo of all who are age 10 and over
- Any affiliation with a Union in civilian capacity, bring Union papers to mobilization site
- Current Immunization Record (Shot Record)
- Personal prescriptions (90 day supply)
- Medical Warning Tags (wear 2)
- Hearing Aid (include extra batteries)
- Eyeglasses (2 pairs; 1 civilian is OK)
- Mask Inserts (1 pair)