What Is Deployment?
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On some pages, you'll see a question at the bottom. Those are questions you can write the answer to while reading this book.
What does deployment mean?
Deployment is when moms or dads have to go away to work for a long time. They go and live in another country to help people who live and work far away.
What does this mean for me?
This means that mom or dad will be gone for a little while. You might get to talk to mom or dad on the phone, or on the computer, or to write letters and send care packages to them. Sometimes, they have to miss fun things like birthdays, Christmas, or sporting events.
How long is a deployment?
Sometimes deployments are shorter (3 or 4 months). Sometimes, they are longer (9 months). Sometimes, they are in between. It just depends on the mission that mom or dad has to do while they are gone.
What is it like for my mom or dad?
The moms and dads who are deployed live and work together in special places, called bases, set up just for them. They have rooms where they sleep, eat, exercise, and work.
What is it like where they are?
Dads and moms deploy all over the world, to all different biomes. Soldiers often deploy to places that are deserts - full of sand and dust, and very hot during the day, but very cold at night. Sometimes, they deploy to places where there are mountains and snow, too!
How is deployment different from regular work?
Deployments are different from regular work because the work is in a different place. When mom or dad goes to work, they go to a building that is close to your house. When they deploy, they go further away, and it can take a long time to get there.
How else is it different over there?
They are in a different time zone, so when it’s morning for you, it may be afternoon for them! When they are waking up, you may be going to bed.
Why do dads and moms deploy?
Soldiers deploy because people in other places need help to make their lives better. Sometimes, people need help getting bad guys out of places, or building schools for children, or making sure places are safe for kids to play.
Why does it have to be for so long?
It stinks that deployments are for a long time, but the soldiers who are working there need time to get their job done! If deployments were short, it would be hard to do the important work they are doing.
How does deployment make people feel?
Deployment can sometimes feel stressful, and make kids sad or mad. Your dad or mom who is deployed still loves you very much, even when they can’t be at home to tell you how much they love you. You are just as important to them now as you ever were, and they think about you ALL THE TIME while they are deployed.
What about when it's over?
People are usually happy when deployments are over, and mommy or daddy comes home. Sometimes it takes a while to adjust back to how things were before, and that’s okay.
What should I do if I get sad?
If you get sad, you should talk to your mom or dad about it. You can write your deployed parent a letter, and get your parent at home to help you send it. Other kids have deployed parents, too, and it might make you feel better to talk to them. Ask your mom or dad to help you find a group at school where you can do that.
Always remember...
Remember that your mom or dad loves you very much, and wishes they were home with you, too. Talk about your feelings, and know that your mom or dad loves you more than anything.
