Need help preparing your family for deployment?

  • Published
  • By Erin Lewis
  • 22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. --  The McConnell chapel is offering a Pre-deployment Preparation Retreat, funded by the wing commander, to help prepare military members and families for deployment.

The retreat will be held Aug. 10-12, approximately two hours away, near Junction City, Kan., at the Rock Springs 4-H Center. Transportation to Rock Springs is not provided, but car-pooling is encouraged.

In his experience at other bases with previous retreats, Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Michael Williams, 22nd Air Refueling Wing Chaplain, has found once family members are out in a different environment, one that provides a personal setting, they are willing to open up more.

"It is easier for them to share their issues and concerns with upcoming deployment events and also helps make future times easier," he said.

During a deployment, families and loved ones can experience difficult times as they try to cope with separation issues and deal with the lack of communication. Deployments can be very stressful on relationships, especially marriages, as the support system that was relied upon is suddenly gone, said Chaplain Williams.

"We want to equip families with the right tools to build strong relationships and have a positive impact on them to minimize domestic issues, either when they return or while they are away," said Chaplain Williams.

The purpose of the retreat is to help build personal relationships before deployment, so that people are equipped with proper knowledge of how to cope with the shock of separation.

Chaplains will offer four specific informational presentations to adults during the retreat. These presentations are specifically geared toward sustaining and building relationships, understanding personalities, handling communication problems and the general obstacles of every day life that may be experienced during a time of deployment.

Booklets, filled with several questions and comments about how to handle things during the deployment, will be distributed to participants, highlighting questions people might not think about. Sample questions include, "What agreement will we make with each other concerning use of credit cards during the deployment?" and "If we get into an argument, how will we agree to reconcile with each other?"

While parents are participating in the presentations, children will be reviewing materials provided by the Airman and Family Readiness Center to help develop their own coping skills. The children will also get to make mementos of their loved ones to help ease the separation anxiety young people can often experience.

"We're going to do some fun things, and it's going to be a great family thing as we connect with the kids and the parents at the same time," said Mary Reece Director AFRC.

"Also going to help the children define their role in helping with a deployment and give them ways to keep them connected while their family member is away," she said.

During free time, participants can take part in numerous activities available at the site. These activities include swimming, horseback riding, archery, trap shooting and several more.

The chapel is accepting registration and donations until July 31. Donations are not required, but are greatly appreciated as they will be used toward some of the retreat expenses that appropriated funds will not cover.