Communication is the key to every healthy relationship – and absolutely vital to successful military separations. One of the very first forms you should complete prior to a deployment is the Communication Information form (PDF), and discuss with your loved one the method(s) of communication you will use during a deployment. Having this information in writing will help to keep you connected while you’re apart, and can prevent confusion during an emergency.

Discuss the nature of the deployment and whether your Guard member will be under the command of a different organization. If so, make sure to include that information on the form. Include this form as Tab 1 in your FRP and give a copy to a trusted third party (family member, friend, neighbor). Then, if you are involved in the emergency, he/she can contact your loved one, the unit, and/or the Red Cross for you. This information will probably change from one deployment to the next, so you will need to review and update it regularly.

Depending on the type and location of the deployment, you may be able to keep in touch by the following means:

Email - if you haven’t already established a free e-mail account with a service provider, you may want to do so now. There are many companies that provide this service. Using one of these providers ensures that you will have contact with your loved one as long as you both have access to the internet. Here’s a partial list of companies that provide free email service:
* www.hotmail.com
* www.yahoo.com
* www.gimail.af.mil

Telephone - determine whether and how often telephone calls can be made, and ask your Guard member for a contact number at the unit. Local contact numbers include:
* A supervisor, or other unit contact
* Wing/unit command post
* Family Readiness
* Informal telephone roster with contact information for other spouses/family members
* Guard member’s local and/or DSN phone number at deployed location (if there is one)

In the event of an emergency

First call the unit contact(s) that your Guard member gave you. If the emergency is severe enough to require the early return of your loved one – and your loved one is under the command of a different unit (this is often the case during overseas deployments) -- then you or your trusted third party must also call the Red Cross. The role of the Red Cross is to verify your emergency in order for your loved one’s commander to make a fair & informed decision as to whether or not to send him/her home. Be sure to complete the Communication Information Form prior to the deployment so that you will be prepared with the following information should you need to contact the Red Cross:

· Guard member’s location overseas
· the APO AE address of his overseas unit (if available)
· the unit overseas to which he/she’s attached
· his/her Social Security Number; Rank and Pay Grade; local Wing/Unit name & Commander

Additionally, the Red Cross provides access to emergency financial assistance and counseling/volunteer opportunities.

Rest assured that, during most deployments, things run relatively smoothly (barring an appliance or two that chooses to break down during the TDY!). However, unexpected events can happen, and it's best to be prepared, just in case...

Communication Information Form (PDF)

You will need Acrobat Reader to view the above pdf files. Click here to download Acrobat from Adobe.com.

Florida Air National Guard
Family Readiness Office
14300 FANG Drive, Jacksonville, FL 32218-7933
904-741-7027
family.readiness@fljack.ang.af.mil