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Staying Connected While Deployed. How to Stay Connected During Extended Deployment Chaplain Andy Meverden COARNG – Command Chaplain 720-250-1074 (Tue-Fri). It’s often said. “Absence makes the heart grow fonder.”. How to Stay Connected While Deployed: Commit to Stay Connected:. Renew Vows
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Staying Connected While Deployed How to Stay Connected During Extended Deployment Chaplain Andy Meverden COARNG – Command Chaplain 720-250-1074 (Tue-Fri)
It’s often said... “Absence makes the heart grow fonder.”
How to Stay Connected While Deployed:Commit to Stay Connected: • Renew Vows • Privately or formally • Affirm Commitment • Verbally or written • Confirm intentions • Let them know before you go… • Don’t presume anything.
How to Stay Connected While Deployed:Plan to Stay Connected: • Establish multiple means of communication • Snail-mail (good old standby) • E-mail (available in country) • Telephone (direct, collect, etc.) • Communicate on a regular basis • Calculate times zone difference • Have primary & alternate times
How to Stay Connected While Deployed:Act to Stay Connected: • Make safety a priority • Both at home & deployed • Greater risk of auto or motorcycle accident than combat casualty…
How to Stay Connected While Deployed:Play it Safe: • Physically: • Don’t take unnecessary risks (winter driving, etc.) • Get help when needed • Use “buddy principle” • Lock up cars & housing • Secure/hide valuables • Avoid questionable areas • Stay physically fit…
How to Stay Connected While Deployed:Play it Safe: • Emotionally: • Maintain healthy positive relationships - especially with family & mutual friends • Avoid new or old cross-gender relationships that may alienate affection • “Transference” & “Counter-transference” • Share emotions with separated loved one
How to Stay Connected While Deployed:Play it Safe: • Sexually: • If married: • Avoid extra-marital affairs • Adultery = UCMJ offense • If engaged: • Keep your promise • Sexualized relations harm unit cohesion- always! • If committed: • Keep your commitment • “Come home clean!”
How to Stay Connected While Deployed:Play it Safe: • Sexually: • Yes, you can survive 6 months without sex…. • Gen Custer’s wife’s perspective… • “I treat it like a honeymoon!” • “Tonight’s the night!”
How to Stay Connected While Deployed:Play it Safe: • Spiritually: • Exercise your faith • If you don’t have a faith community: • Reconnect with heritage • Establish a mutually satisfactory connection • Pray for each other daily • Talk to God in moments of trial & difficulty
How to Stay Connected While Deployed:Things to do: • Don’t put life on “hold” • Keep working toward goals • Spouse scholarship • HS Jr/Sr Lewis & Clark Expedition • Send inexpensive “gifts” • Use local support network • Grow as a person • Plan for “decompression” & post-deployment reintegration (R&R) • Remember why we serve….
Q & A Questions about Staying Connected While Deployed