Personal stories, practical ideas, and checklists help readers know what to expect, how to prepare, and how to personally grow as individuals and families. Updated second edition includes new information about longer repeat and multiple deployments, self-care and wellness, and stories and examples from recent conflicts.

"No one can totally prepare us for the emotional roller coaster deployments and reintegration brings, but this book will give you tools that will help the process immensely." -- Kathy Guzzon for Homefront United Network Life After Deployment captures the tender and moving stories of military families during their reunion. Service members and their spouses, parents, fiancées, and children share the joy and anxiety of homecoming, the adjustments of living together again, and how they coped with anger, depression, PTSD, injuries, grief, and other challenges. Some families had fairytale endings. Most worked hard to rebuild their relationships after much time and change. A few suffered great losses. These military families talk candidly about what their experience was really like, offering hope and advice to others who walk this journey. First Lady of the Marine Corps Recommended Reading List Foreword Reviews Book of the Year Awards - Finalist Military Writers Society of America - Gold Medal, Best Reference "...a must have for today's military families facing deployments." -- Alanna Schmidtke, North Dakota National Guard family support "I felt so guilty for a lot of the emotions I'd had during my husband's deployment and reunion. And now, we are going through it all again with our son. It's such a comfort to find out I'm not alone! I was incredibly touched by these stories. Thank you so much for blessing us with this book, your keen insights, and amazing honesty." --Julie LaBelle, military wife and mom

This books follows a military wife's experiences during her husband's deployment to Iraq exploring the wide-ranging emotions brought about by a loved one's deployment. Through self-exploration Sara Dawalt learns the skills necessary to make sense of her life during turmoil. Her quest for happiness during potentially her darkest year will touch your life.

In Living and Surviving in Harm's Way, experts investigate the psychological impact of how warriors live and survive in combat duty. They address the combat preparation of servicemen and women, their support systems, and their interpersonal and intrapersonal experiences. The text maintains a focus on cognitive-behavioral interventions for treating various combat-related disorders, and addresses psychological health and adjustment after leaving the battlefield. The text is logically organized for easy reading and reference, and covers often overlooked topics such as preparation and training of service personnel, women in combat, and the indirect effects of combat stress on family. This book is written by clinicians who have in some ways experienced what they write about, and resonates with mental health professionals, servicemen and women, and their families. Any clinician hoping to treat a serviceman or woman effectively cannot afford to overlook this book.

"Surviving Deployment: A Guide for Military Spouses" is an essential resource for partners of service members facing the daunting reality of deployment. This comprehensive guide offers practical advice, emotional support, and valuable insights to help military spouses navigate the complexities of deployment with resilience and grace. What You'll Discover Pre-Deployment Preparation: Strategies for managing legal and financial affairs, setting up effective communication plans, and building a solid support network. Features Checklists and Templates: Access practical tools to help you prepare for deployment, manage during your spouse's absence, and navigate reintegration. Resource List: A curated list of resources, including support groups, counseling services, and educational grants, tailored for military families.

"No one can totally prepare us for the emotional roller coaster deployments and reintegration brings, but this book will give you tools that will help the process immensely." -- Kathy Guzzon for Homefront United Network Life After Deployment captures the tender and moving stories of military families during their reunion. Service members and their spouses, parents, fiancées, and children share the joy and anxiety of homecoming, the adjustments of living together again, and how they coped with anger, depression, PTSD, injuries, grief, and other challenges. Some families had fairytale endings. Most worked hard to rebuild their relationships after much time and change. A few suffered great losses. These military families talk candidly about what their experience was really like, offering hope and advice to others who walk this journey. The new edition of this important work features additional stories from all active duty and national guard serve branches as well as up-to-date information from more recent conflicts. First Lady of the Marine Corps Recommended Reading List Foreword Reviews Book of the Year Awards - Finalist Military Writers Society of America - Gold Medal, Best Reference "...a must have for today's military families facing deployments." -- Alanna Schmidtke, North Dakota National Guard family support "I felt so guilty for a lot of the emotions I'd had during my husband's deployment and reunion. And now, we are going through it all again with our son. It's such a comfort to find out I'm not alone! I was incredibly touched by these stories. Thank you so much for blessing us with this book, your keen insights, and amazing honesty." --Julie LaBelle, military wife and mom

"...excellent resource for parents, teachers, counselors, and other caregivers to help young children feel a part of the deployment process and prepare them for what's coming next." --Operation We Are Here The activities in this fun 112-page activity book reinforce concepts young children are already learning and give them a safe way to ask questions, talk about their feelings, and feel connected to a deployed parent. Four sections (Getting Ready for Deployment, Deployment, Getting Ready for Reunion, and Reunion) provide appropriate activities for each stage of deployment, from packing and saying goodbye to welcoming Dad home. Includes mazes, dot-to-dots, counting, matching, coloring, crafts, telling time and other activities familiar to preschool and elementary children. A fun book for children and an excellent resource for parents, teachers, counselors, and other caregivers to help young children feel a part of the deployment process and prepare them for what's coming next. This book is specific to a dad deploying. A version for deployed moms is also available.