Peak PCS moving season is well underway. As of late, PCSing has been far from easy for military families, as many have reported facing significant issues and hurdles during the current and last PCS season. In light of these ongoing shortfalls, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth directed the U.S. Transportation Command to change how the Global Household Goods contract was being implemented, to help better serve military families. Now, it has been revealed that the DoD has terminated their contract with HomeSafe Alliance as of Wednesday, June 18th. Keep reading to learn more about the expected impact of this substantial change.

Military Families Faced Ongoing Problems Under the New Household Goods Shipment

, a privatized company running the military household goods shipment in cooperation with the Department of Defense, military families experienced a number of issues.

In February of this year, at least 1,000 of the 8,900 shipments initiated under HomeSafe Alliance had experienced problems, according to U.S. Transportation Command.

The issue soon became widespread. On February 28, 2025, a memo was given to pull back some Army shipments to the transportation offices by the Army Personal Property.

This action was done to stop the inefficient and dissatisfied work of private shipments for many years among the affected military families in their permanent change of station.

MyBaseGuide reached out to HomeSafe Alliance in May, and inquired about the changes that they have implemented to address complaints that military families have raised.

A HomeSafe Alliance spokesperson provided the following statement:

HomeSafe Alliance is modernizing, digitizing, and transforming the relocation experience for military members and their families through the new Global Household Goods Contract (GHC). Military families and Congress demanded this historic transformation to address long-standing issues with the old military move system. The new GHC program brings innovative technology to streamline the move process, a 24/7 customer care center to support military families, and strict requirements to ensure accountability and high-quality move services.

In these early and developmental stages of the GHC, logistical challenges have caused delays for some moves. We apologize to every affected family. Over the last month, HomeSafe has made significant progress in strengthening our network, and we continue to pursue every available option for growing our capacity. We are working with U.S. Transportation Command to resolve issues and maintain a conditions-based phase-in of the new program.

HomeSafe is taking all the lessons learned and continually improving our systems and processes, including enhancing our customer care operations, updating our technology platform, reshaping our training program for service providers, and hiring additional employees.

Families Shared Their Negative Moving Experiences

Many families took to social media and online forums to share their poor moving experiences with HomeSafe, 

Some families reported their items being late, and cited that they did not receive adequate assistance to locate their belongings.

Families also went on record to report moving companies not being secured in advance, deliveries not being scheduled as promised, and reported waiting weeks for furniture delivery.

MyBaseGuide followed up with HomeSafe in May regarding the negative shipment experiences that families have experienced. A HomeSafe Alliance spokesperson provided the following statement:

Regardless of how HomeSafe transports household goods, loads must always be properly secured. We hold ourselves and our service providers to the highest standards to protect the household goods of our service members and their families.

In any case where a load was not secured, it does not meet our commitment to quality, and we take swift and appropriate action to address the issue and prevent recurrence.

In our conversations with HomeSafe, we requested their comment on how they were addressing the lack of preparation (ie. lack of supplies and scheduling issues) within the assigned contractors. A HomeSafe Alliance spokesperson provided the following statement:

Regarding our service providers, we grade them based on our Carrier Quality Index (CQI) score, with timeliness and service as primary factors.

For more information on this, please refer to our fact sheet on 

Additionally, we requested a comment on why moving company information is no longer being given to families prior to their move being scheduled. A HomeSafe Alliance spokesperson provided the following statement:

Families can view their assigned service provider through our technology platform HomeSafe Connect, where they can also access details about the moving crew, including photos of the team members who will be handling their move. This feature allows families to familiarize themselves with their moving team in advance.

 on HomeSafe Connect. This video is also available on our customers page on Homesafealliance.com.

A May Memo from Hegseth Directs Transcom to Make Changes

In May, Pete Hegseth requested significant changes be made to improve moving experiences for military families for the upcoming PCS season.

"We're heading into peak season of moving - PCS moving - and that process, I know, has been a mess, and we are addressing it. We have...to take some aggressive action and fast," said Hegseth.

In a memo released on May 20th, 2025, Hegseth directed USTRANSCOM to take the following actions immediately to help support military families during the upcoming 2025 PCS season and beyond:

In the memo, Hegseth called for the GHC and ToS programs to be held accountable for meeting their KPIs (key performance indicators). They are also required to provide weekly updates to the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense and the Office of the USD for Personnel and Readiness.

He also directed that both the GHC and legacy ToS program be leveraged in a way that ensures maximum coverage for moves during the 2025 PCS season.

Hegseth directed that offramp non-serviced GHC customer shipments into the ToS program be based on capacity shortfalls.

He called for the development and implementation of ToS rates to ensure vendor capacity.

Lastly, he called for TRANSCOM to review and implement Economic Price Adjustment provisions in the GHC contract, when appropriate.

In addition to the above directed changes, in the memo, Hegseth directed the formation of a PCS Task Force that would be in charge of improving the quality of moving services provided to servicemembers and their families. Additionally, Hegseth said that they would, "act decisively to improve, expand, terminate, or transfer GHC or ToS responsibilities as needed."

HomeSafe reached out to MyBaseGuide and provided the following statement in regards to Defense Secretary Hegseth's memo release in May.

HomeSafe Alliance is grateful for Defense Secretary Hegseth’s attention to the Global Household Goods Contract and the directives he has issued, which will greatly improve moving experiences for military service members and their families. DoD raising our rates to account for significant inflation from the last four years would substantially benefit our ability to facilitate world-class moving services for our nation’s heroes. We look forward to working with the PCS Task Force to demonstrate how our program modernizes and digitizes the move process and resolves decades-long issues with military relocations.

Hegseth Announces Major PCS Season Changes, Laying Out a Plan

On May 20th, Hegseth addressed the families who had shared their PCS season struggles, noting that while the PCS process has, "never been a great system," recent changes have only made the process worse.

He stated, "We know it's not working, and it's only getting worse. We've heard your concerns about contractor performance, quality, and accountability. We hear you loud and clear, and that's why we're taking decisive action immediately."

In his memo, Hegseth explained that during the 2025 PCS moving season, TRANSCOM should be prepared to fully leverage the new GHC program.

"We're going to split this year's peak moving season between our new and legacy systems. There's a new system we've been trying - it's not working very well - and then there's a legacy system that wasn't perfect...those systems can talk to each other and work together, so we're going to use both in every way possible."

Hegseth then directed TRANSCOM to develop and implement rates similar to the legacy ToS system to increase vendor capacity and ensure that there are enough companies that are willing to move military family household goods.

In the days following Hegseth’s announcement, many movers and military families applauded Hegseth for taking a leadership stance on this critical issue.

One such individual was Dan Hilton, the executive director of the American Trucking Association's Moving and Storage Council.

He released a statement saying, "As we have said from the beginning, the tender of service program worked in the past and continues to work well for service members, despite the challenging environment now created by the failures of the GHC contractor. We’ve continually seen shipments moved from the GHC contractor back into the tender program with minimal notice, reduced compensation, and already impacted service members.”

“It’s imperative that TRANSCOM better engage members of the industry with actual capacity to find solutions that best meet our service members’ needs. We look forward to mitigating any further decline in service provided to our nation's valiant service members and working with the Secretary’s team to help right this ship on behalf of our men and women in uniform.”

Others applauded Hegseth for holding contractors accountable for damaging or destroying household goods, and for standing up for service members. You can watch the 

Army Maj Gen. Lance Curtis Will Lead the PCS Joint Task Force

On June 18, Defense Secretary Hegseth named 

 to lead the PCS Joint Task Force. According to Secretary Hegseth, the new task force has the authority to decisively act and make immediate improvements to the DoD Personal Property Program.

Here’s what we know about the new PCS Joint Task Force leader.

Major General Curtis is from Warrensburg, Missouri. After graduating from The University of Missouri with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in International Relations, he was commissioned through ROTC.

He has a MA in Management from Webster University and a MS in National Security and Resource Strategy from the National Defense University.

His military schooling includes: the Officer’s Basic and Advanced Courses, the Combined Arms and Services Staff School, the US Army Command and General Staff College, and the Dwight D. Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy Senior Service College.

He previously served as the US Forces Command Deputy Chief of Staff, G4.

DoD Terminates HomeSafe Alliance for “Inability to Fulfill Their Obligations”

On Wednesday, the Department of Defense terminated the DoD contractor, HomeSafe Alliance, for cause due to their demonstrated inability to fulfill their obligations and deliver high quality moves.

 said in a release that the DoD terminated HomeSafe Alliance, “for cause due to HomeSafe Alliance’s inability to fulfill their obligations and deliver high quality moves to service members.”

In response to this announcement, the DoD has put several changes into effect to address the current issues families are experiencing this PCS season. Household goods moves are to be handled within the legacy “Tender of Service” system. Another change is that those who choose to move their own household goods via the PPMs process will be reimbursed at an increased rate.

As it currently stands, the Joint Task Force is reviewing the entire PCS process to identify additional actions to make the moving experience better for families during the current PCS season. The most recent memo discussing these changes can be 

The Contract Termination Has Left Military Families With Many Questions

The announcement of the contract termination has left many military families with questions, especially those who are in the midst of scheduled moves. 

What Should You Do If Your Family’s Household Goods Are Already In Route?

HomeSafe Alliance’s contract is canceled for future moves, but they should be continuing those shipments that are in motion.

They also will still be required to handle the claims process after shipments are delivered. 

If you have questions about claims or need help, reach out to your installation's 

What Should You Do If Your Family Is Moving This Summer?

If you are scheduled to move this summer, you can contact your 

 for moving assistance. You will most likely want to start here. You can also contact the Personal Property System Response Center at 800-462-2176.

The Defense Personal Property System has already been coordinating switching moves for military families who had challenges with their scheduled move with HomeSafe Alliance.

Military families in need of additional resources and information about conducting their move through the Tender of Service program on the Moving Your Personal Property page on

What Does the Future of Military Moves Look Like?

General Curtis will be handing PCS moves moving forward, as the new lead of the PCS Joint Task Force. Many families are hopeful that he will take the time to talk with military families about their experiences. Over the next few months, the task force will be working to rectify the issues that families have voiced.

At this time, there is no clear understanding of how Personally Procured Moves (PPMs) will be impacted. The 

 that they are pulling back PPMs to DPS. Other services may follow suit, but there has not been an official release of plans.

It is important to note that if you are moving this summer, as soon as you get your orders, it is recommended that you contact your transportation office, especially if you are doing a military contract move as many places are already at capacity.

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When you think of the U.S. military, there are a few iconic images that might come to mind: crisp uniforms, medals, and, of course, 

Hair has always been more than just a matter of appearance in the armed forces. As a matter of fact, it is a symbol of discipline, unity, and tradition. Every generation of service members has found a way to own their era. So, let’s take a lighthearted look at the military hairstyles that have accompanied service members from the Revolutionary War to now.

Wigs & Long Hair Made an Appearance During the Revolutionary War

During the 1700s and throughout the Revolutionary War, those who served in the Army often wore wigs, as did European officials.

Eventually, those who were serving in the infantry also began to don wigs. However, not everyone could afford this style, and alternatively, they would grow their own hair out.

Short Hair & Muttonchops Left Their Mark on the Civil War

By the Civil War, men began to embrace full facial hair, which included beards, mustaches, and mutton chops.

In fact, you would commonly see many Army officials wearing bushy muttonchops with shorter hair on their heads. Muttonchop’s rise in popularity was largely due to General Ambrose Burnside. He was a Union General who was famous for his very distinctive, thick facial hair.

Additionally, he had distinctive, thick sideburns that connected to his mustache, but left his chin bare. His influence grew, and eventually the term “sideburns” was coined, which was a play on his name.

Due to Burnside’s influence and position of authority, facial hair quickly became seen as a signifier of masculinity and authority.

Military Hairstyles During WWI Represented Practicality

During WWI, men’s hairstyles were very practical, featuring short sides, and a long top.

For those combing over their hair, they had to make sure that their part was neat and distinguished.

The WWI look was very distinctive, as hair around the ears was often shaved, and was cut close to the scalp on the back and sides of the head.

Millions of young men flooded military training camps during World War II, and a common experience for all was a trip to the barber. Ready or not, that hair came off.

During this era, practicality was very important. Therefore, the military haircut wasn't centered around looking good.

If you look back in pictures, you'll see that men mostly had close-cropped cuts, which help reduce the risk of lice. Lice was a significant concern in close quarters, so this haircut was all about staying clean.

Often referred to as the “high and tight, ” this haircut featured shaved sides and a short top, nothing fancy. Despite the strict regulations and buttoned-up appearances, service members managed to add a touch of their own personality.

When they left and headed to town, they would slick the top of their high and tight with pomade, mimicking the look of Hollywood stars. It was indeed a war zone for them during the week but on a Saturday night? You better believe those guys wanted to turn heads at the local dance.

Flattops Were a Signature Style After WWII

Things lightened up after WWII, and rock ‘n’ roll was a part of it. Movie stars had perfectly coiffed hair, so the idea of bringing flair to cool military hairstyles didn’t seem to hurt.

The flattop era – the sides and back cropped short, with a top so flat that it could double as a small landing pad. Veterans LOVED it. Civilians admired it. And barbers became legends for their mastery of it.

Getting a great flattop became a source of pride back then, so finding the right barber was on top task for service members.

They would often share their go-to barber shop with each other, just to make sure to visit the guy who can create that perfectly square top, no dips and uneven spots, someone who can say, “I know how to handle precision.”

To this day, many still maintain the look, and some Veterans continue to wear this military hairstyle.

Regulation Length During the Vietnam War Era

During the Vietnam War era, long hair and scruffy beards symbolized peace and rebellion. The message here was to look sharp, stay clean, and follow the rules.

Soldiers mostly kept standard haircuts; short buzz cuts and crew cuts were the usual military hairstyles.

The most popular in this era was the crew cut – it had a distinct style, short, practical, and just enough hair on top to comb or style, yet still met military regulations.

Soldiers often found small ways to express their personality and still maintain style, and one of those ways was 

. It’s one of the few that were allowed, such as tattoos, religious garments, and eyeglasses, of course, still with restrictions.

Modern Military Hairstyles & Grooming Look Much Different

Military hairstyles now are very different, and much more flexible. The rules are still there (and always will be), but there’s more room for a personal touch.

The “faded” haircut has become the go-to look in the military today, as it offers a range of styling options – from a high fade to a skin fade. It’s clean and sharp. When done right, you can never go back to your old hairstyle. A good fade takes skill and attention to detail, so finding a modern military barber is a true gem for service members.

Grooming now reflects the diversity of those who serve. So, military hairstyles like neatly kept locs, braids, and twists are more respected. When off duty, we can still see Veterans keeping their fades looking sharp. With this, it started to catch the public’s eye, so civilians began to embrace wearing cool military hairstyles.

it’s not just about haircuts or regulation

; they tell a story. The haircuts and how they style them act like a small window into history. After all, history isn’t just found in books. Sometimes, it’s just a matter of a few inches of hair.

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Shortly after his second inauguration, President Trump surprised American citizens and the nation’s European allies when he proclaimed that he intended to annex Greenland by any means necessary, including via military action, in order to enhance the US’s security in the face of increasing threats in the arctic region from Russia and China.

Trump’s proclamation sent shockwaves through diplomatic circles across the Atlantic, and received sharp criticism from opponents of his proposal. After a brief two-month lull in the Greenland annexation rhetoric, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, during a June 12, 2025 House Armed Services Committee meeting, told committee members that the Pentagon has plans for “any number of contingencies” when asked whether the Pentagon has developed plans to take Greenland or Panama by force if necessary.

In this article, we are taking a look at the history of America’s previous attempts to acquire Greenland – this isn’t the first time – and the potential impact.

Greenland has been controlled by Denmark for about 300 years. Denmark governed the island as a colony until 1953, when Greenland officially became part of the Kingdom of Denmark and its people became Danish citizens. In 1979, a referendum on home rule gave Greenland control of most policies within the territory, with Denmark retaining control over foreign affairs and defense.

While Trump’s recent rhetoric on Greenland may seem unusual, previous US Presidents have also made overtures toward Greenlandic accession, although not by military force.

In 1867, after buying Alaska from Russia, US Secretary of State William H Seward led negotiations to buy Greenland from Denmark, but failed to reach any agreement.

After Nazi Germany invaded and occupied Denmark during WWII, the US military invaded Greenland and established military and radio stations across the territory. After the war, US forces remained in Greenland, setting up Pituffik Space Base, formerly known as Thule Air Base. The US has been operating the base ever since. 

In 1946, the US offered to pay $100 million for the territory, judging that it was vital for national security but the Danish government refused. 

Instead, in 1951, Denmark and the USA signed a defense agreement that granted the US a significant role in the defense of the territory, including the right to build and maintain military bases.

What many don’t remember is that, during Trump’s first term in 2019, he tried to buy Greenland. However, both Denmark and the Greenlandic government rejected the 2019 proposal by saying, "Greenland is not for sale." 

That sentiment remains today. In a March 2025 poll, 85% of Greenlanders said they oppose becoming part of the US.

One question the Trump administration has not sufficiently addressed as it considers the annexation of Greenland is America's membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and Article V of NATO’s Charter.

Under Article V of the North Atlantic Treaty, the cornerstone of the alliance, signatory nations agree that an armed attack against one or more NATO members shall be considered an attack against them all. 

This means that if one member is attacked, all other members are obligated to assist the attacked member, though the specific actions taken are determined by each individual member. 

For example, during NATO’s Operation Unified Protector, where a NATO-led coalition conducted combat operations and set up a No-Fly Zone in Libya, the German government voted to approve the operation, but elected to not contribute military forces. 

The only time in NATO history that Article V has been enacted happened after 9/11 when the North Atlantic Council (NAC) voted to send military support, to include deployment of the alliance’s E-3A Sentry Airborne Early Warning and Control aircraft, to the US.

What Would Happen if the US Were to Invade Greenland?

If the US were to invade Greenland with the intent of annexation, the NAC would be faced with a challenging decision. Since all NAC decisions must be approved by consensus – a unanimous vote by all council member nations – it is unlikely that the US would vote to enact Article V to act against an attack that it committed.

Conflicts between NATO member nations have occurred before. Specifically, Greece and Turkey have a long history of tension dating back to the Ottoman Empire’s 400-year reign over Greece that ended in a bloody war of independence that ended with Greece declaring its independence in 1830. Those historic animosities still exist today.

Even after Greece and Turkey joined NATO together in 1952, they occasionally engaged each other militarily over disputes related to maritime boundaries, airspace, resource rights, and unresolved historic grievances. 

During the Cyprus crisis of 1974, Greece withdrew its military units from NATO’s forces in the southern Mediterranean Sea over Turkey’s threats to invade Cyprus. After Turkey invaded Cyprus later that year, Greece withdrew from the NATO Military Command. Greece eventually rejoined NATO’s Military Command, but Cyprus remains divided to this day with Greece and Turkey still harboring unresolved differences.

Throughout the numerous spats between Greece and Turkey, the other NATO member nations on the NAC have been very quiet and only offered encouragement for a de-escalation of the confrontations and peaceful resolution of the issues that cause them.

How would Canada and the European NATO member nations respond if the US were to invade Greenland with the purpose of annexation? 

During a meeting with Trump on March 13, 2025, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte was very careful to share his opinion on that topic saying, "When it comes to Greenland, if it joins the US or not, I will leave that outside of me in this discussion because I don't want to drag NATO into that."

The reality is that NATO will immediately be dragged into the issue if a US invasion of Greenland happens.

Apparently, French President Emmanuel Macron sees that the question of Greenland’s annexation is a European and NATO issue. 

On June 15, 2025 Macron visited Nuuk, Greenland accompanied by Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Greenland's Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen. 

Asked about Trump’s ambitions as he arrived in Greenland, Macron is cited by Reuters as saying: “I don’t think that’s what allies do… it’s important that Denmark and the Europeans commit themselves to this territory, which has very high strategic stakes and whose territorial integrity must be respected.”

In an effort to address Trump’s increased interest in Greenland, the Danish Parliament expanded their nation’s security agreement with the US allowing it now to establish US bases on the island. 

Previously, US personnel operated from Danish installations. In addition, the Danish military recently announced the future deployment of fighter aircraft and a Naval frigate to Greenland that is intended to demonstrate Denmark’s commitment to Greenland’s security requirements.

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In an increasingly uncertain world with tensions rising between the USA and both Iran and China, it sometimes seems like the USA is, once again, on the brink of a major military operation. Of course, military members strive to maintain a constant state of preparedness for any task from small to large. It’s their job. However, while the services go to great lengths to provide support for military family members in both peacetime and war, it’s also important that military members and their families ensure that they prepare themselves for war.

This article will provide a short, and certainly not all-inclusive, look at the things military families should be considering with war looming. It’s easy to get complacent, but now is not that time. In fact, for military families, it’s never that time.

In April 2025, John Noh, the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs, said that Chinese President Xi Jingping told his People’s Liberation Army (PLA) to prepare for a potential invasion of Taiwan in 2027.

Noh added that China aims to dominate the Indo-Pacific region and replace the USA as the world’s dominant military power. Admiral Samuel Paparo, Commander of

 cited a 300% increase in PLA activity in the vicinity of Taiwan in 2024 and said the USA must respond to this increasing threat by deploying combat-ready forces to the region.

Air Force Secretary Frank Kendal put it very succinctly when he said, “China is not a future threat. It is a threat today.”

On the heels of an alarming February 2025 International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) report, President Trump sent a letter to Iranian leadership giving them a two month deadline to engage in negotiations with the USA to reach agreement on a new nuclear deal.

The IAEA report stated that Iran has increased its stockpile of Uranium-235 enriched to 60% and have moved precariously close to the 90% purity required to build nuclear weapons.

While President Trump has not specifically defined his objectives for the negotiation, National Security Advisor Michael Waltz suggested that the United States will press for Iran to dismantle its entire nuclear program. After Iranian officials initially implied that they would not negotiate directly with the USA, President Trump replied, “I hope you’re going to negotiate because if we have to go in militarily it’s going to be a terrible thing.”

Pentagon’s Fiscal Year 2026 budget proposal

, the largest peacetime budget in US history, shows that the DoD is ready to back up the administration’s words with action.

President Trump has said that his patience with Iran has “already run out,” but declined to say whether he has made a decision on US military intervention as the Israel-Iran conflict continues to escalate.

"I may do it, I may not do it...nothing is finished until it is finished," Trump told reporters when he was asked about the U.S. taking part in the strikes on Iran's nuclear and military facilities.

On June 18, Trump was asked whether he believes that the US is moving closer to 

Trump responded, “Well I obviously can’t say that, right? You don’t seriously think I’m going to answer that question. You don’t know that I’m even going to do it. I may do it. I may not do it. Nobody knows what I’m going to do. I can tell you this, that Iran’s got a lot of trouble, and they want to negotiate.”

President Trump went on to say that Iran still wants to negotiate with the U.S., and even proposed 

. Trump stressed that "nothing is too late" when it comes to diplomacy. 

However, he did say that it is "very late to be talking" and that "there is a big difference between now and a week ago."

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pressed Trump’s position when he ordered an attack on Iran’s military leadership, nuclear scientists, and nuclear facilities. 

Iran responded less than 24 hours later by launching up to 100 ballistic missiles at Israel, most of which were intercepted by 

air and missile defense system. Several exchanges between the two combatants continued over the next six days. 

After initially denying any involvement in the Israeli strikes, the Trump administration has been somewhat coy about whether or not the US has or will support Israel by attacking Iran itself. 

On the other side of the conflict, Iran has been equally vague about whether it would strike US military targets in the region. In either event, the US will increase its preparedness to the maximum level, and any Iranian move against US forces will likely result in a significant response.

All deployment can create stress whether they are to a combat location or not. Just the simple idea of being separated for a long period of time can create intense family stress.

A deployment to a combat location where the military member may be subjected to physical risk significantly amplifies that stress. What are some things a military family can do to prepare themselves?

Fear of the unknown is a big factor in creating family stress. It may be difficult or impossible for a military member to discuss details about their deployment, particularly for a combat deployment.

To the best extent possible, try to keep your family informed about things like:

Contacting the Red Cross during an emergency

Before the military member leaves, they should talk to their family members about how frequently they can expect to talk with you. This may help relieve anxiety if the military member isn’t able to speak with them for a while.

Talking about other forms of communication outside of phone calls or internet applications can also be helpful since the military member may be more reachable through other methods such as care packages or letters.

When phone and internet access is limited, these forms of communication can help family members and friends stay in touch with the military member.

Finances can present a significant source of stress for the family when the military member is deployed.

There can be significant concerns about how bills are going to be paid, especially if the military member is usually responsible for managing the finances and ensuring bills are paid on time.

Before the military member deploys, they should ensure that their partner has access to all accounts and knows when each bill should be paid. Taking care of the family’s financial situation and obligations before deployment can take stress off the family’s shoulders.

If there are children who require childcare, the family will want to take care of childcare arrangements before deployment. If the dependent spouse works, then the family may need to rely on family members, daycare, or babysitters to take care of the children when no one is home.

If the dependent spouse doesn’t work, find resources for their support in case things become overwhelming. A good place to start is within a unit’s spouses network or elsewhere within the military community.

Even if all of the aforementioned logistical steps are handled, deployments can still have a major impact on loved ones. Encourage them to find methods for dealing with your time apart, such as:

Talking with others who’ve been at home during a deployment

There will be an adjustment period after the military member returns home, especially after they’ve been gone for months – or even longer in the event of a combat deployment.

The military member must readjust to their old routine, and, conversely, the family must get used to having the military member back in their lives after having adjusted to being apart.

All family members must practice patience while everyone adjusts. Spend time focusing on the good things about the military member’s return rather than the challenges you are experiencing.

Try to spend meaningful time together as a family and with friends so you can reconnect with them and reestablish your bond. This re-connection will be particularly important if the military member has personally suffered or witnessed tragedy during their combat deployment.

In this case, it’s extremely important that the military member works with military mental health professionals who can help them deal with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and other mental trauma.

While these steps were tailored to a combat deployment, they can be used for any type of deployment. Family separation will always come with challenges. Being prepared can alleviate much of that stress.

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