The document discusses the different stages of military deployment and the challenges associated with each stage. It outlines the stages as pre-deployment, deployment, sustainment, re-deployment, and post-deployment. Each stage has specific emotional challenges for soldiers and their families. Being aware of the stages and challenges can help families cope positively with deployment and reduce issues like crises, counseling needs, and suicidal threats among soldiers. The document provides information and recommendations for soldiers and commanders to help manage each deployment stage.

1. MENTAL FITNESS IN DEPLOYMENT TROOPS BY LT COL (DR) LOTFI BIN ANUAR MBBS (MALAYA), MMEDPSYCH (UKM) MILITARY PSYCHIATRIST & HOD HAT TUANKU MIZAN 3/29/2011 1 SEMINAR FOR UNIFIL MISSION

3. Operation tasks, humanitarian missions, peacekeeping enforcement etc

4. Military downsizing has increased the likelihood that each soldier will eventually participate on an extended mission

5. Impact long separation as 60% of soldiers are married

6. The need of coping strategies to pass through all the stage of deployment3/29/2011 2 SEMINAR FOR UNIFIL MISSION

7. STAGES OF DEPLOYMENT Pre-deployment : varies Deployment : 1st month Sustainment : 2nd to 5th month Re-deployment : last month Post-deployment : 3-6 month after deployment 3/29/2011 3 SEMINAR FOR UNIFIL MISSION

9. Failure to cope and understand the stages cause problems to family members and deployed soldier

10. Help family to cope positively towards deployment experience

11. help to avert crises, minimize the need for command intervention and psychological counseling

12. To reduce suicidal threats3/29/2011 4 SEMINAR FOR UNIFIL MISSION

14. Timeframe variable: several weeks - > a year

15. Anticipation of loss vs denial by the spouse

16. “you don’t have really to go?”or “ I wish you were gone already”

17. Sense of emotional and physical distance for military spouses3/29/2011 5 SEMINAR FOR UNIFIL MISSION

19. Esp among young couple who experiencing extended separation for the first time

20. Catastrophic reaction  divorce

21. Usually due to fear that the relationship is over/ fear of infidelity and lead to tremendous anxiety to couple

22. Resolving marital issues that precede the deployment is very difficult and best left until the soldier return3/29/2011 6 SEMINAR FOR UNIFIL MISSION

23. Impact of unresolved family argument Deployed soldier: Unable to focus on task especially on military movement and lead to accident Spouse: disturb house and office works, neglecting children Children : fear that the loved daddy/mummy not returned home lead to inconsolable crying, tantrums and regressive behaviors. 3/29/2011 7 SEMINAR FOR UNIFIL MISSION

25. Must do list Home repairs Security (door/alarms etc) Car maintenance Finances (ATM, CC cards) Child care plan Wills g) Special family vacation h) Increased intimacy i) Visiting older parent j) Plan of paying installment 3/29/2011 9 SEMINAR FOR UNIFIL MISSION

27. Do not forget the program for the deployed spouses

28. Increase the field training and promoting the unit cohesion

29. Giving clear explanation about the mission, its duration and the allowances

30. Established a family support group for deployed spouses and families3/29/2011 10 SEMINAR FOR UNIFIL MISSION

32. Mainly mixed emotion, unpleasant feeling, feeling disoriented, overwhelming and residual anger, feeling numbness, sadness and being alone or abandonment

33. Worries about security issues eg what if my child get sick, my car break down or the salary problem

34. Sleep difficulties3/29/2011 11 SEMINAR FOR UNIFIL MISSION

36. Phone call, video call or internet online are one of the way to relieve the unpleasant anxiety

37. Search for the free phone call provided by unit if available or use the commercial phone lines

38. Has to prepare to wait for some time before can make their first call home

39. Ability to stay in close touch during special occasions (birthday, anniversaries) might help them to cope with separation.3/29/2011 12 SEMINAR FOR UNIFIL MISSION

41. Bad phone call can cause negative feeling like hurt, anger or frustration may cause emotional disturbance and inability to focus towards certain issues or missions

42. Spouse and soldier may feel helpless and unable to support each other at time of need

43. These issues need to be monitored by the deployed commanders

44. Role of peers, senior rank or officers as counselors and support provider 3/29/2011 13 SEMINAR FOR UNIFIL MISSION

45. SUSTAINMENT Stage started from the first month to the fifth (penultimate) month of deployment New routine established New sources of emotional support eg religious institution, religious officer Spouse will feels more in control, independence and confidence 3/29/2011 14 SEMINAR FOR UNIFIL MISSION

46. Common problem Usual challenge is rapid speed of information through phone calls or internet Response of children towards deployment of parent 3/29/2011 15 SEMINAR FOR UNIFIL MISSION

48. To control rumor and limiting the negative impacts by keep the soldier and families fully informed and up to date

49. To advice the soldier to make a call within regular interval and time

50. eg allegation of infidelity (difficult to prove true or false), accident or injuries, changes in date of return etc3/29/2011 16 SEMINAR FOR UNIFIL MISSION

51. Children reactions 3/29/2011 17 SEMINAR FOR UNIFIL MISSION

52. RE-DEPLOYMENT Stage started at the month before the soldier is schedule to return home Anticipation of homecoming Excitement Burst of energy to complete to do list 3/29/2011 18 SEMINAR FOR UNIFIL MISSION

54. Children rushes to the returning parent

55. Warm embrace and kiss for the united couple

56. Praise from senior commander

57. To understand that some time it can be upsetting up to their expectation due to various reason

58. Returning back to previous role in the family, be prepare for any change/loss, starting the communication

59. Try not to make changes right away and to take time to renegotiating family rules and norms

60. Allow several months to re-establish family bonds3/29/2011 19 SEMINAR FOR UNIFIL MISSION

62. Babies less 1 year old may do not know the soldier and cry when held

63. Toddlers (1-3 years) may be slow to warm up

64. Pre-schoolers (3-6 years) may feel guilty and scared over the separation

65. School aged children (6-12 years) may wants a lot of attention

66. Teenagers (13-18 years) may be moody and may not appear to care3/29/2011 20 SEMINAR FOR UNIFIL MISSION

67. CONCLUSION The separation of deployment(unlike civilian couple) provide soldier and spouse a chance to evaluate changes within themselves and what direction they want their marriage to take Although a difficult as well as joyful stage, many military couples have reported that their relationship is much stronger as a result 3/29/2011 21 SEMINAR FOR UNIFIL MISSION

68. THANK YOU 3/29/2011 22 SEMINAR FOR UNIFIL MISSION