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1

Cycle of Deployment

Lesson 9.6

PNC-BLC
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Ministry Moments

• PRE-DEPLOYMENT- Chaplains help commands prepare 

for deployments.

• MID-DEPLOYMENT- Chaplains help service and family 

members during deployments

• POST-DEPLOYMENT- Chaplains continue their ministry 

after deployments

Deployment Ministry
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Emotional Cycle of Deployment

Post-deployment

Stage 1

Stage 2

Stage 3

Stage 4

Stage 5

Stage 6

Stage 7

During Deployment

Pre-deployment

Deployment Ministry
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Success Vs. Survival

• The Key: Knowledge

• Understand the cycle!

• It’s PREDICTABLE!

The Emotional Cycle of Deployment

Deployment Ministry
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Stage 1

Anticipation of loss

• 4-6 weeks prior

• Spouses: denial – pain

• Sailor / Marine: busyness

• Spouse: angry & resentful

• Sailor / Marine: guilty

Singles & kids too

Deployment Ministry
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Stage 2

Detachment & withdrawal:

• Most difficult

• Life out of control.

Intimacy: 

• Difficult

• Pre-deployment fight

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Stage 3

Emotional Disorganization

• Shock

• Relief...And... Guilt

• The scenario

• Tougher on the stay at home 

spouse

Deployment Ministry
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Stage 4

Recovery & stabilization

• Ok and surviving

• New patterns & routine

• Single but married

• Navy spouses

• More mature & independent

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Stage 5

• Homecoming anticipation

• 4-6 weeks before return

• Anticipation / Apprehension

• Marriage re-evaluation

• High divorce potential

• Teachable moment

Deployment Ministry
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Stage 5 cont.

Post deployment seminars

• Have I changed too much?

• Does he / she need me?

• Moving beyond need

• Careful / care-filled reunion

Deployment Ministry
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Stage 6

Renegotiation

• Together physically but not yet emotionally

• From “single” to “couple”

• Loss of independence 

• Burden of responsibilities

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Stage 6 (cont.)

Renegotiation

• Changes must be accommodated

• A chance to re-evaluate

• Determine direction

• Renewed relationships

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Stage 7

Reintegration & stabilization

• Within 4-6 weeks after homecoming

• From “my” to “ours”

• Comfortable

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Coping

• Realistic, flexible goals

• Include children

• UNDERSTAND “emotional cycle of

deployment

• Don’t do it alone!

• Pre-deployment briefs

•Support groups

•Chaplain’s brief

Deployment Ministry
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21

Post Deployment Briefs

• Initial euphoria

• Re-entry as an “honored” guest

• Kids encounter a stranger

• Doesn’t insult stay-at-home spouse’s “turf”

• Expects & allows

• Readjustment

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Post Deployment Briefs

Anticipate:

• Both have changed

• Honor those changes

• Cautious honesty 

• about feelings

• No sudden confessions

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Reunion

• Readjustment from ship or field to home

• Accepting the stranger home

• Sexual intimacy issues

• Men focus on physical 

• Women on the emotional

• Reunion with children

• Bittersweet

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Renegotiation

• Irreversibly changed people

• Chaplains can facilitate process

• For difficult issues: counseling

• For typical issues: enrichment

• Don’t assume return to sop

• Who pays bills, calls for repairs

• Take the time it needs

Deployment Ministry
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Review

Pre-/post-deployment briefs:

Chaplaincy is involvement in critical life points

• Deployments most difficult

• Separate own issues

• Use your own experience to help others

• Find joy in ministry

Deployment Ministry