A guide to post-deployment life: Reconnecting, planning, and thriving

Tips to make the transition back home easier

Welcome home! Whether you’ve been away for a few weeks or many months, the return from deployment is a time filled with anticipation and joy. But it can also be a period of considerable adjustment for service members and their families, which can feel stressful at a time when you’re trying to leave stress behind on the deployment field.

These tips can help service members and their families adjust when it comes to:

• Reconnecting and reintegrating with family
• Financial planning after the deployment
• Health and well-being

Reconnecting and reintegrating with family

Returning home after a period of absence can be an emotionally charged experience, filled with both anticipation and apprehension.

Navigating the first few days at home

During the initial days after returning from deployment, it's crucial to set realistic expectations and allow everyone, including yourself, to adjust gradually. Instead of aiming for an immediate return to how things were, focus on taking things slow and simply being present.

Remember that family dynamics may have shifted, and it's perfectly normal to feel a sense of unfamiliarity. Approach these initial moments with patience and understanding, allowing space for both connection and individual adjustment.

Communication is key to reconnection.

Open and honest communication is the cornerstone of reconnecting with your loved ones. When talking with your family, express your feelings openly and respectfully and in an age-appropriate way. Be prepared to listen to their feeling without judgment.

If you or your family is finding the reintegration difficult, confidential support is available at Military OneSource counseling.‍ ‍ ^{See note 1}

Finding your new normal

This new season is an opportunity to discover and build your new normal together. Acknowledge that changes may have occurred and that finding a new routine or getting back into an old routine is a collaborative process. But don’t be too eager to go back to the old ways too quickly. You might find that your family’s new routines or habits developed during deployment are working well.

Financial planning and adjustments after deployment

When service members are deployed overseas, many often fantasize about what they’re going to splurge on when they get home, like a big-screen TV or a motorcycle or a new car.

While post-deployment celebratory purchases aren’t bad on the surface, carefully consider the cost of impulse buying. Before you celebrate today with a credit card charge you may regret later, here are a few steps to consider.

Review your budget and deployment pay

Before you make a big post-deployment purchase, take a step back and review your budget and account for any deployment pay you may have earned. Write down the financial goals you are still working on and some new ones that might be possible with deployment pay. One part of this budget review might also be adjusting back to a pre-deployment budget.

Reconsider the celebratory purchases

Some financial problems are caused by the "need versus want” dilemma. You may think you need an item, so you go out and buy it right away. But you could probably do without it. 

Of course, that doesn't mean buying things you want is wrong.

You've just returned from deployment, time spent away from friends and loved ones, and you deserve something fun. But protect yourself financially by setting a limit on how much of your deployment pay you'll spend on celebratory purchases.

We recommend spending no more than 10% of your extra income and bonuses from deployment as “fun” money. That way, you won't be tempted to overspend on an impulse purchase.

For example, do you really need that new TV? No, it might not be an urgent need, but it could be time to upgrade your old tube TV to an LED flat screen. Run the numbers to be sure it fits in your budget before deciding to bring it home.

If you find yourself struggling with the temptation to spend too much on a celebratory splurge, can you delay the purchase? It’s often a good idea to take your time before making any big financial decisions. A self-imposed waiting period might help you fight the urge to let a momentary celebration wreck your finances for years to come.

Can I afford it? 

One more thing to consider when deciding if your celebratory purchase is affordable is to consider the total cost of ownership.

For some items, the initial purchase cost isn't as much as the ongoing costs. That might not be the case for the new TV, where the purchase cost was the total cost of ownership. But if you have your sight set on a new vehicle, think about the long-term commitments. That includes monthly car loan payments, annual registration, regular maintenance and insurance.

When you think about the total cost of your purchase over the lifetime of the item, ask yourself if that's how you want to spend your money. If the answer is no, you may want to reconsider. 

Planning for the future

All celebratory spending should be viewed within the context of your overall financial goals. The decision isn't just about acquiring something like a new truck; it's about understanding the trade-offs and how this money could be allocated to achieve other financial aspirations, a constant negotiation between the present and the future.

While a shiny new toy is fun, so it the peace of mind that comes with financial security. If you want to improve your financial situation, this extra deployment money gives you a great opportunity to grow your wealth in other areas.

Here are a few suggestions if you need help prioritizing your spending:

• Establish a small emergency fund.
• Pay off credit cards and other high-interest debt.
• Build up your emergency savings so you have enough to cover three to six months of essential living expenses.
• Start or beef up your retirement savings.
• Consider paying off any remaining consumer debt, like student loans, mortgages and auto loans.

But let’s be honest: Finances can’t be all discipline and no fun. Consider setting aside up to 10% for fun money because you've earned it. Try to make your dollar stretch further so you can have as much fun as possible with what you’ve set aside. Don't pay full price for an experience when you can get it at a discount. 

Health and well-being

The shift from deployed life to civilian routines can affect your body, your relationships and your sense of purpose. It’s normal for the shift from a structured, mission-driven environment to feel disorienting at times.

Address mental and emotional well-being.

Some stress after military service is normal. However, if challenges linger or start to affect your daily life, it may be time to reach out. You or someone close to you might notice the following signs:

• Trouble sleeping, frequent nightmares or constant fatigue
• Ongoing pain or injuries that don’t seem to heal
• Avoiding places or people you once enjoyed
• Drinking or using drugs more often than intended
• Feeling hopeless, detached or quick to anger

If you ever have thoughts of suicide or self-harm, help is available right now. Call or text 988 and press 1 to reach the Veterans Crisis Line. You are not alone, and free confidential support is always there for you. There are a variety of resources available to you.

Summary

The transition back home after a deployment is a significant life event, marked by both joy and challenges. By focusing on open communication, mindful financial planning and your health and well-being, you and your loved ones can navigate this period of adjustment successfully.