IS YOUR FAMILY PREPARED FOR WAR?
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.
China May Invade Taiwan
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 US Indo-Pacific Command, 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.”
Trump Gives Iran Two Months to Negotiate
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.”
These are not idle threats. The 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.
Trump Weighs US Involvement
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 striking Iranian nuclear facilities.
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 sending a delegation to the White House. 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."
Israel and Iran Trade Blows
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 Israel’s Golden Dome 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.
Is Your Family Prepared?
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?
Inform Them
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:
- Destination
- Expected duration
- Contacting the Red Cross during an emergency
Set Communication Expectations
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.
Address Finances and Childcare
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.
Be Encouraging
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:
- Spending time with loved ones
- Keeping a healthy routine
- Talking with others who’ve been at home during a deployment
- Engaging in hobbies or skills
- Finding support groups
- Talking to a mental health professional
Prepare for Redeployment
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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