- Double check! -

 

     I remember the day Jordan’s ships Ombudsmen (who frickin’ rocks) passed out a Deployment Checklist to us during a pre-deployment meeting. I remember thinking, “I’m sure I don’t need help with this. Its simple, My Husband packs his Sea bag and I sit back at home and patiently wait for his homecoming”. So, I humored her by glancing over the list. I was shocked! And was left a bit overwhelmed and feeling like a total idiot for thinking I was actually prepared. I decided to share this list with all of you. Its unfortunate, but I know of a few ships who have an Ombudsmen that’s not very involved or informative. I’m beyond blessed to have the Ombudsmen that I do and happy to now be able to call her a friend. This list was intended for a Married Sailor, but the things listed I think a Single Sailor will also be able to relate to. PLEASE pass this on to anyone you may know that can benefit from it!

I know when you start to read over this list that some of it might seem a bit extreme and ridiculous…. But, Morphy’s Law applies to EVERY situation. Especially deployments!!!

Family Members:

• Are ID cards current? Will they expire during deployment?
• Do family members know what to do if their ID is lost or stolen?
• Does each family member carry some form of identification with YOUR full name, rate/rank, SSN, and complete mailing address?
• Is DEERS enrollment current?
• Have you recently updated your Page 2 and your will?
• Have you updated your SGLI?
• Does your spouse have a valid power-of-attorney? Do you need a “general” or “special” one (for car, household goods, bank, emergency, etc.)?
• Have you discussed child care and discipline concerns?
• Does your family have the name and phone number for your command’s Ombudsmen?
• Does your Ombudsmen have your family on the roaster for newsletters and information?
• Does you family have the phone numbers of your local Fleet & Family Support Center for information, referrals, and support?
• Does your family have the phone number for the base Chaplains Office?
• Have you discussed communicating during the deployment (how often you’ll email or write one another, and record and send audio/video clips)?
• If you have children, are you familiar with United Through Reading?
• Do you need a Family Care Plan? If you already have one, do you need to update it?
• Does your family know hot to care for any pets you have?

Medical and Dental Emergencies:

• Does your family know how to access military medical care (TRICARE)?
• Does your family know how to access dental care?
• Does your family know who to contact for emergencies?
• Does your family know how to get YOU home for an emergency situation?
• Do they have the number for the American Red Cross (877-272-7337)?
• Does your family have a support system to assist them in an emergency?

Home:

• Is the house or apartment in good repair? Are the furnace and air conditioner cleaned and in good working order?
• Does your spouse know where the fuse box is located and how to reset circuit breakers?
• Is there a spare key to leave with a relative, friend or neighbor?
• Check the following to ensure they are working properly:

___hot water heater  ___washer  ___refrigerator  ___dryer  ___stove  ___television

• Are phone numbers listed for:

___landlord  ___appliance repair  ___plumbing service  ___gas & electricity companies/emergencies  ___home owners insurance

• Are there adequate security measures (window and door locks)?

Automobile:

• Are you leaving a set of car keys with your spouse?
• Is the registration current? Is the base decal valid?
• Is the insurance current? Does your spouse have the name and phone number for the insurance agent?
• Did you check hoses, fluid levels, battery, tire pressure, etc? Does your spouse know how to?
• Does your spouse know how to change a tire? Or know the number to roadside assistance?

Finances:

• Is a household budget established?
• Do you and your spouse agree on how to pay the bills?
• Do you have two ATM cars or checkbooks for one account? (Be sure to discuss who uses what and when)
• Discuss what money will be spent during port visits.
• Are you signed up for Split Pay? Does your spouse have access to your bank account? If not, do you have an allotment set up?
• Have you budgeted for phone calls during the deployment?
• Does you spouse know how to contact the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society for emergencies?
• Did you sign a pre-deployment authorization form for assistance from the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society in case on an emergency?

Personal Needs:

• Do you have all necessary uniforms items? Will you be making rank while deployed? If so, will you need new patches/ribbons/pins etc. for your uniform?
• Have you updated your address book lately?
• Do you have the dates for birthdays, holidays, and special occasions?
• If you plan on buying gifts, do you know sizes and preferences?
• Did you pack civilian clothes appropriate to locations and weather of liberty ports?
• Are you taking some reminders (pictures and souvenirs) of favorite people, laces and things?
• Do you have a passport?

Hope you all found this as helpful as I did. There were a few things on this list I never would of thought to take care of before my Husband left.