Military deployments are so much a part of our lives now that I don’t even blink when it’s about to happen. This is coming from a military spouse who has gone through so far two deployments, countless under ways and duty days. I am already over it by the time it begins. Or at least that’s what I think in my mind. Then it actually happens, and I feel this overwhelming sense of stress, anxiety, distance and disgust with the whole thing.
Oh the antipathy of deployments. How I loathe thee.
The first month and the last month are the hardest. In that first month, you’re getting used to everything: waking up alone, the time difference, the new schedule, dropped calls and no calls…and my favorite — constant fear and anxiety of the unknown. But, if you’re a military spouse, you’re probably used to this, as nothing is ever set in stone. So hey, nothing new here.
Surviving the first week of deployment.
It takes skill to operate at this level of crazy. But if you’re anything like me, you’ve got it down to a science. And if you’re still trying to figure it out, here’s my best version for surviving the first seven days of deployment.
Ben and Jerry’s (Oh yes).
Since Ben and Jerry’s is going to take up regular residence in your freezer, you may as well grab a carton of Ben and Jerry’s to eat that first night. Scratch that. Better make it two cartons just to be safe. Nobody said drowning your sorrows in emotional eating didn’t have a time and place.
Plan extreme work out plan.
You plan out your extensive work out and weight loss plan for the deployment, but first, you fit in a few more nights of Netflix and pizza before getting started. You have the entire deployment in front of you, no need to work out for the first week.
Rage clean.
Clean the house incessantly top to bottom trying to clear your home of any sign of deployment. It’s almost as if you are washing (or wishing) it all away. Bleach will not eradicate a deployment, but try anyway. Deployment absolutely justifies a complete fumigation of your residence.
Try Something New
Rather it is a new hobby, new habit, or a new way of doing something. Mix it up a bit that will help time go by faster.
Deployment Curse (Murphy's Law)
Trust me, it happens to the majority of us and it completely sucks. Rather it's the house, the car, lawn mower, dish washer, the children, and sometimes all of the above. Simultaneously. There are plenty of times you will want to cry or throw in the towel. But that doesn’t stop the curse one bit. Because Murphy doesn’t care about your tears, apparently. S**t is gonna happen, and we just have to accept that and handle each crazy situation as best we can. Call the landlord or Housing Office, call a plumber, and then…
Have a glass of wine and a good laugh! The way I see it, there is only one way to beat the deployment curse. Laugh.
WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR MOST RIDICULOUS DEPLOYMENT MOMENTS? PLEASE SHARE!
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