Returning Home From Deployment

You’re headed home after a deployment. It’s been a long time coming, and you deserve to celebrate. But it’s important to know what adjustments you might face after you get home — like how your children might respond to you after a long absence and how household routines might have changed. Knowing what to expect during the five key stages of reunion and reintegration can help make the transition easier for everyone.

• What to Expect: An Overview of Reunion and Reintegration

The mixed emotions that often come with a deployed parent’s return can be especially confusing for children. On one hand, they’re excited to have mom or dad home, but they may also feel nervous about the adjustment. Learn more about what to expect and how to support children during reintegration.

• Returning From Deployment: Helping Your Family Transition
• Five Tips to Support Children During Reintegration

Take time together as a family to reconnect with family members. Discover discounts and travel benefits available to service members and their families.

Service members can expect some challenges returning to work after deployment. Active-duty service members return to a military community where others have “been there, done that.” Members of the National Guard and reserves go back to the civilian work force where coworkers generally don’t understand deployment. Learn some simple tips to help smooth National Guard and reserves reintegration.

• National Guard and Reserves Reintegration

Sometimes returning home from deployment can be overwhelming. Don’t be afraid to ask for support as you transition back to the homefront. If you, your spouse or other family members are feeling signs of physical or emotional stress, it’s important to seek help — the earlier the better. These support resources can help make returning home easier for everyone: