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Reunion and Reintegration

This is when service members return home, complete post-deployment recovery and administrative requirements and reintegrate into home station life. In this section you can find:

  • An overview of the five stages of reunion/reintegration
  • A printable list of tasks and considerations
  • Tips for creating a new family normal and helping children adjust
  • Mental health resources

ARTICLES

Family Members & Loved Ones
Family Members & Loved Ones
Two female soldiers talking at café
Mental Health After Deployment: What to Know and Where to Get Help

Returning home from deployment can be challenging in a variety of ways for service members. Not only will they be adjusting to a new routine, but they may also be wrestling with strong feelings of fear, sadness or helplessness from their experiences while deployed. While some combat and operational stress reactions are common and heal with time, others may require professional attention. By recognizing the warning signs and knowing how to get help, you and your service member can become more resilient in the face of reintegration challenges.
Father reunites with family
What to Expect: An Overview of Reunion and Reintegration

Deployment is coming to an end, and service members are finally heading home. Next comes the reunion and reintegration phase. There are five key stages within reunion and reintegration. Learn about the timeline and what you may expect during each stage.
Mother greeting son
Creating a New Normal as a Family

Even if your family has experienced deployment before, this time things may be different.  Things may have changed, and it’s okay if you’re not able to go back to how things used to be, before the deployment.   Focus on how you can make things comfortable and normal for the family.
Happy father and son reuniting
Five Tips to Support Children During Reintegration

Returning home after deployment is exciting, but it can also be an adjustment for you and your loved ones. For children in particular, it may be emotional or confusing. To help your children with the transition, it’s important to develop a plan that’s personalized for their age, level of understanding and development stage.
Father helping son paint project
Returning to Your New Normal

Coming home may seem like a big adjustment. Your family and loved ones may be different than before deployment, and you might have changed too. It’s common to feel overwhelmed with the changes you’re facing. Here are some things to consider that may help as you return to your new normal.
Two female soldiers talking at café
Mental Health After Deployment: What to Know and Where to Get Help

Returning home from deployment can be challenging in a variety of ways for service members. Not only will they be adjusting to a new routine, but they may also be wrestling with strong feelings of fear, sadness or helplessness from their experiences while deployed. While some combat and operational stress reactions are common and heal with time, others may require professional attention. By recognizing the warning signs and knowing how to get help, you and your service member can become more resilient in the face of reintegration challenges.
Father reunites with family
What to Expect: An Overview of Reunion and Reintegration

Deployment is coming to an end, and service members are finally heading home. Next comes the reunion and reintegration phase. There are five key stages within reunion and reintegration. Learn about the timeline and what you may expect during each stage.
Man carrying lumber
National Guard and Reserves: Things to Know About Reintegration

As you may remember from pre-deployment, the deployment cycle is a little different for National Guard and reserve service members. Shortly after returning, you will demobilize and your unit will deactivate — at which time you will no longer be serving on active duty. Once you’re home, keep the following in mind while returning to civilian life.
Happy father and son reuniting
Five Tips to Support Children During Reintegration

Returning home after deployment is exciting, but it can also be an adjustment for you and your loved ones. For children in particular, it may be emotional or confusing. To help your children with the transition, it’s important to develop a plan that’s personalized for their age, level of understanding and development stage.
Personal Budgeting items
Revisiting Personal Affairs

Before deploying, you took steps to make sure everything was squared away legally, financially and medically for you and your loved ones. Now that you’ve returned, it’s time to revisit your personal and administrative affairs. Review the following suggestions regarding your personal affairs to make sure all is in order upon your return.

Tasks & Considerations

Seeking help is not a sign of weakness. If you or a loved one is struggling with anxiety, depression, combat stress or other mental health issues during reintegration, help is available from a variety of mental health resources. Learn more about mental health after deployment: what to know and where to get help.

For emergencies, call the Military Crisis Line at 955 and press 1. You can access their online chat by texting 838255.

Military OneSource offers a variety of tools and services to promote overall health and well-being. Learn more about resilience tools to help you manage your mood and strengthen your relationship. In addition, these free mobile wellness apps can help you build resilience anytime, anywhere.

While celebrating your reunion, be careful not to overspend. It is important to revisit your income and budget now that you’re back, as your financial situation will likely change. Follow these financial affairs tips, and take advantage of free support programs for help with finances and budgeting. Contact your installation personal financial management services office for more information about services.

Know what to expect if you’re entering an institution of higher education, especially if you are a National Guard or reserve service member. Now is a great time to think about your future and what you can do to get there. Find out more about National Guard and reserve reintegration, and Veterans Affairs education and training benefits.

As a veteran or family member, you may be eligible for a wide range of benefits and entitlements including disability, home loans, health care or pension. Visit the Department of Veterans Affairs website for more information on the different programs, eligibility criteria and how to apply.

Talking about what happened during deployment can be difficult sometimes. Service members may not want or be able to discuss some details of deployment, and loved ones may struggle with hearing, or not hearing, information. While open and honest conversation is important, be patient with each other and only discuss what you are comfortable sharing. If you are having trouble communicating, check out these relationship resources from Military OneSource. For a refresher on what can be shared from a security point of view, read these operations security guidelines.

Sometimes you could use a hand navigating the challenges of military life. Military OneSource consultants can connect service members and families with resources to help with parenting and relationship issues, financial questions, deployment adjustments and more. Learn more about free, confidential non-medical counseling for service members and families.

If you’re a National Guard or reserve service member, returning to the civilian work force is part of reintegration. Know your protections under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act.

Reunion is an exciting time. Setting realistic expectations is important. Things typically don’t get back to normal right away, and that is OK. Learn more about the reunion and reintegration process, and try these 10 ways to rock your reunion.

Your household may operate a little differently now that deployment is over – and that’s to be expected. As you and your loved ones adjust to being together again, some of the activities you enjoyed together may no longer feel like a perfect fit. Consider these ideas for creating a new normal as a family. Discuss expectations around chores and responsibilities with a fresh perspective. If you have children, check out these five tips to support children during reintegration.

Shortly after returning, service members will have a variety of options for taking some well-deserved leave. Learn more about military leave and how it works.

A series of health assessments may be required once you return from deployment. Visit the Psychological Health Center of Excellence website to learn more about deployment health assessments.

Tasks & Considerations

Seeking help is not a sign of weakness. If you or a loved one is struggling with anxiety, depression, combat stress or other mental health issues during reintegration, help is available from a variety of mental health resources. Learn more about mental health after deployment: what to know and where to get help.

For emergencies, call the Military Crisis Line at 955 and press 1. You can access their online chat by texting 838255.

Military OneSource offers a variety of tools and services to promote overall health and well-being. Learn more about resilience tools to help you manage your mood and strengthen your relationship. In addition, these free mobile wellness apps can help you build resilience anytime, anywhere.

While celebrating your reunion, be careful not to overspend. It is important to revisit your income and budget now that you’re back, as your financial situation will likely change. Follow these financial affairs tips, and take advantage of free support programs for help with finances and budgeting. Contact your installation personal financial management services office for more information about services.

Know what to expect if you’re entering an institution of higher education, especially if you are a National Guard or reserve service member. Now is a great time to think about your future and what you can do to get there. Find out more about National Guard and reserve reintegration, and Veterans Affairs education and training benefits.

As a veteran or family member, you may be eligible for a wide range of benefits and entitlements including disability, home loans, health care or pension. Visit the Department of Veterans Affairs website for more information on the different programs, eligibility criteria and how to apply.

Talking about what happened during deployment can be difficult sometimes. Service members may not want or be able to discuss some details of deployment, and loved ones may struggle with hearing, or not hearing, information. While open and honest conversation is important, be patient with each other and only discuss what you are comfortable sharing. If you are having trouble communicating, check out these relationship resources from Military OneSource. For a refresher on what can be shared from a security point of view, read these operations security guidelines.

Sometimes you could use a hand navigating the challenges of military life. Military OneSource consultants can connect service members and families with resources to help with parenting and relationship issues, financial questions, deployment adjustments and more. Learn more about free, confidential non-medical counseling for service members and families.

If you’re a National Guard or reserve service member, returning to the civilian work force is part of reintegration. Know your protections under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act.

Reunion is an exciting time. Setting realistic expectations is important. Things typically don’t get back to normal right away, and that is OK. Learn more about the reunion and reintegration process, and try these 10 ways to rock your reunion.

Your household may operate a little differently now that deployment is over – and that’s to be expected. As you and your loved ones adjust to being together again, some of the activities you enjoyed together may no longer feel like a perfect fit. Consider these ideas for creating a new normal as a family. Discuss expectations around chores and responsibilities with a fresh perspective. If you have children, check out these five tips to support children during reintegration.

Shortly after returning, service members will have a variety of options for taking some well-deserved leave. Learn more about military leave and how it works.

A series of health assessments may be required once you return from deployment. Visit the Psychological Health Center of Excellence website to learn more about deployment health assessments.

RESOURCES

MilitaryINSTALLATIONS

A directory of installation information, state-related information and programs and services.

Military OneSource

24/7 support and information for all aspects of military life. Search the website for deployment-related materials, such as military deployment support, financial management counseling options, resources for parenting through deployment and much more. To speak with a consultant, call 800-342-9647, call OCONUS, or schedule a live chat.

Adjustments After Deployment

A behavioral health web portal that supports veterans, service members (including National Guard and reservists) and their families in getting help with post-deployment health issues.

Project FOCUS – Families OverComing Under Stress

FOCUS is a family-centered resiliency program demonstrated to reduce psychological distress and strengthen military children and families as they navigate the transitions of military life, including deployment, frequent relocation, injury and loss.

Thrive – Online Parenting Education Course

A free, online, interactive parenting education course developed by the Department of Defense and the Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness at Penn State. Thrive provides evidence-informed practices to promote healthy, resilient children and families.

Air Force Reserve Command Family Readiness

Provides families of deployed reserve service members with a variety of services ranging from crisis assistance and intervention support to financial help and reunion activities.

Chaplain Corps

Provides pastoral care and spiritual guidance to service members and their families while helping to strengthen family bonds.

Department of Veterans Affairs: Vet Centers

Provide a wide range of readjustment services including various forms of counseling, medical referrals, assistance with applying for benefits, transition information and referrals. All services are free of charge and confidential.

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