Military Mondays: Deployment Checklist

It's Monday, which means it's time for another installment of Military Mondays! I thought I would take today to share with you all a great checklist for any upcoming deployments. 

Deployment can feel like you've been dropped into a giant forest without a compass, or speaking to the modern-day reader, without an iPhone. Either way, it's a confusing, scary, and intimidating process. This checklist has been really helpful for me, so hopefully it will be helpful for anyone else about to take on that dreaded D word. 

A lot of this stuff is meant for the one deploying, but we all know they sometimes need a gentle nudge to get going on things. Even though a lot of this was his responsibility, I still found it really helpful to read over and double check him. You can't be too prepared!

Legal Considerations:

1. Do you have a will?

2. Is your record of Emergency Data (page 2) current?

3. Do you need to leave a medical authorization with the person who is caring for your dependent children?

4. Are all ID cards/DEERs enrollments current?

Financial Planning:

1. Do you have a written monthly spending plan?

2. Does you spending plan include amounts for:

         a. port visits (if on a ship)

         b. phone calls

         c. gifts/souvenir purchases

         d. utility bills

         e. savings

3. Does your spending plan include amounts for:

         a. sea pay (if on a ship)

         b. family separation allowance

         c. possible promotion during deployment

         d. re-enlistment bonuses or other special payments

4. Do you/your spouse have access to MyPay?

5. Are you enrolled in the Thrift Savings Plan?

6. If married, do you both understand and agree to how finances will be handled during deployment?

Taxes:

1. If you plan to do your taxes while deployed, do you have all the records you will need?

2. Do you have a specific power of attorney if someone else will be doing your taxes?

Bills:

1. How will you be making payments to your creditors? Do they all have your current address?

2. How will you be paying your rent/mortgage/utilities?

3. Are there any annual expenses due while you are deployed? If so, how will they be paid?

4. If married, have you decided who will be using which credit cards during deployment?

5. Is your renter's/homeowner's insurance current?

Vehicles:

1. If single, do you have a safe place to store your vehicle or is someone taking care of it for you?

2. Are vehicle insurance, tags, registration/title, and base/inspection stickers current?

3. Is all routine maintenance current?

4. Have you left the name of a trusted mechanic with your family?

Emergency Plans:

1. Do you have at least one month's pay saved in case of financial emergency?

2. If married, does your spouse know how to access the TRICARE healthcare system?

3. Does your family know your official mailing address, command name, and social security number?

4. Does your family know how to use the American Red Cross in case of emergency?

5. Does your family have the name and number of the command ombudsman?

6. Does your family have a disaster preparedness plan and place to meet/call?