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What Is Family Context : Permanent Change Of Station And Deployments?

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Family Context: Permanent Change of Station and Deployments
I have been employed with the Department of Defense for 17 years. I have a great deal of

reverence for the men and women who fight for our country. Being a military spouse of a 32

year service member; I understand the adversities service members endure.

In 2001; my husband received orders to report to Darmstadt, Germany. My immediate

reaction was excitement. Until I realized I have to move away. Having never been over an hour

from home I was apprehensive about going over 4,000 miles. Relocating is never easy however

married to the military it is probable that travel is in your near future. After, the panic subsided I

had to focus on obtaining a passport, schedule …show more content…

Although, we talk every day during the deployment a feeling of distance still exists.
Mixed Feelings:
Homecoming really takes you on a roller coaster ride of emotions; feelings of excitement, joy, fear, apprehension, impatience and restlessness. It is easy to say, “When my husband returns everything will be back to normal.” That statement is better said not done. We do not live in a fairytale world therefore fairytale reunions in marriages do not exists neither. It takes time to get to know one another again. My husband came home and wanted to regain his position in the home immediately; I was not ready. I have been performing these tasks for over a year (This was too much too soon.) He was unable to drive because of his fear something was going to happen (He experienced a bomb exploding while on a convoy); which leaves me to drive everywhere. I feel like I can never rest when we go somewhere together because I have to drive. We had to communicate a lot about our feelings to transition healthy into our daily routines without conflict but, understanding how the other person was feeling and being compassionate towards those feelings is what made the process easier.
Two years later deployed again. This time the roller coaster was a little slower because we knew what to expect; the life of a military spouse.
Counseling Prospective:
As a counselor; it is important to make the rules of family therapy sessions clear prior to the first session. Individuals in the

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