Readiness & Deployment Support

The “Warrior Kids” series provides support and encouragement to kids ages 6-12 throughout the entire deployment cycle (pre, mid, and return).

BECAUSE DEPLOYMENTS CREATE UNIQUE CHALLENGES FOR KIDS TOO (OPEN TO AGES 6-12)

Do you want your child to be a ninja master in just a few short hours? Us too, because that would be awesome! Sadly, we don’t have the skills or time necessary to do that. So, what is the Warrior Kids Series all about?

Pre-Deployment Workshop: “Rockin’ The Deployment”
This great opportunity to include the youngest members of the family in the Pre-Deployment process and remove the mystery from what can be a very scary time. This workshop is perfect for any family with a Marine or Sailor preparing to deploy or recently deployed.

Mid-Deployment Workshop: “Calling All Pirates”
Kids mid-deployment workshop provides an interactive and fun class that plugs straight into the challenges kids are facing in the midst of deployments. Kids get to hit up three venues or “stations” where they’ll take part in different projects and activities.

Return & Reunion Workshop: “Home Of The Brave”

Kids and parents team up, preparing to positively and successfully adjust to the return of a deployed parent. This workshop is perfect for any family with a Marine or Sailor returning home in the next 30-60 days.

The “Warrior Teen” workshop is geared toward teens ages 13-16, and focuses on the challenges that are unique to that age group when a parent deploys.

BECAUSE DEPLOYMENTS CAN CREATE UNIQUE CHALLENGES FOR TEENAGERS TOO (OPEN TO AGES 13-16)

Cage Fighters may be tough, but nothing is harder than being a military teen! Your lives are full of challenges that most of your friends may never understand: Growing up bouncing from base to base, having a parent that deploys thousands of miles away, or changing schools like you change socks (hopefully more often than schools though). This workshop offers you a chance to fight back. You’ll need your competitive edge, your street smarts and a whole lot of teamwork as we take on a ton of topic, including:

• Being smart on social networking sites
• Communication and staying connected to deployed parents
• Identify stress and stress management techniques
• Building a strong support network
• Whether your parent is currently deployed or home, you are invited!

“Strong Marine Couples” reintegration workshop, addresses the ups and downs of reuniting in a relaxed environment.

How much do you bench? OK, maybe we’re not talking about that kind of STRONG, but strong relationships do take some work too. Reconnecting after a deployment may be smooth sailing, or may make you feel like you’re training for a World’s Strongest Man contest. So, grab your spotter and join us for this fantastic workshop (no chalk or lifting belts required). We’ll be addressing the effects of reintegration on a relationship, looking into what creates true relationship satisfaction and sharing deployment or separation experiences in a fun way.

This workshop is facilitated on a unit specific basis, and typically conducted 60-90 days after the unit’s return. Some of the topics include:

• Common post deployment reactions of Marines and their significant others
• 5-step problem solving
• Communication barriers and how to work through them
• Life balancing skills

Deployment? Ain’t nobody got time for that! Unfortunately there’s no choice in the matter, so you might want to be as ready as possible when the day comes. This is your chance to fill your brain with more deployment related information than you know even existed, and all of it applies – no fluff, no filler, all FACTS!
This brief is facilitated on a unit-specific basis, and typically conducted 30-60 days prior to the unit’s going. Some of the topics include:

• Wills and Powers of Attorney
• Family Care Plan
• Storage of your belongings
• Pay and Entitlements
• Operational Security
• Communication plans
• Financial planning

Midway madness is where it’s at! Whether you’re actually halfway through a deployment or somewhere pretty darn close, we’ve got you covered. Maybe you’re a totally Rock Star and you’ve stuck to your “Pre-Deployment Resolutions,” for the rest of us mere mortals, it’s time to regroup, reenergize and RELAX! This workshop is all about you. You’ve been holding everything together for longer than you care to remember and we want to give you a few tools to lighten the load (just to be clear, that is NOT a cleaning service or nanny or anything like that).

This workshop focuses on revitalizing your inner strength and endurance during the separation of deployment.
Workshops are facilitated on a unit-specific basis approximately halfway through the deployment. Some of the topics include:

• Physical Fitness
• Relaxation
• Nutrition
• Education
• Networking
• Family Care Plan

WHAT MONTH IS IT?!? That’s right, Homecoming is right around the corner and there are tons of things left to do: lose 10 lbs, clean the house, throw out all of the chocolate, kick the dog out of the bed, stop feeding the kids cereal everyday – all the important stuff. But wait, what about the other things? The stress and separation of deployments can make homecomings feel nearly as overwhelming as their departure. It’s a crazy mix of excitement and anxiety. No matter what your relationship looks like, this workshop is for you. Join us in taking a closer look at the reunion process, specifically focusing on the expectations and challenges that come along with it.

This brief is facilitated on a unit specific basis, and typically conducted 14-30 days prior to the unit’s return. Some of the topics include:

• Homecoming planning
• Communication
• Tools for managing stress
• Romance and intimacy
• Return and Reunion workshops are available for parents and extended family at the request of the unit Deployment Readiness Coordinator, Unit Readiness Coordinator or Command Team.