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Pre-Deployment Checklist for Military Families
View printable checklist PDF
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General
•Attend mobilization meetings and take notes
•Know the exact name of unit
•Know the names and ranks of chain of command
•Have a copy of your service member's orders
•Know service member's travel itinerary
•Know service member's full name, social security number, and complete military address
•Have emergency plans in place (house fire or other disasters, unexpected hospitalization of a family member, death in the family etc…, discuss the who, what, where, when and how of each situation in terms of how it will be handled while you are away)
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Your Finances
•Plan ahead for bill payments
•Set up a savings account
•Consider speaking with a Personal Financial Counselor
•Set your financial goals (long and short term) click here
•Discuss when bills are due, where receipts are kept, etc.
•Have enough saved in case of emergency expenses
•Create a family budget
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Your Housing/Vehicle
•Extra set of car keys
•Vehicle storage
•Car insurance and registration
•Vehicle maintenance
•Apartment lease, renters insurance
•Home loans and mortgages
•List of repair persons to call
•Location of utility (water/electricity/gas) shut off valves
•Know your neighbors
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Family Matters
•Family Care plan click here
•Child care plan click here and here
•Elder care plan
•Emergency plan for pets
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Legal Matters click here
•Prepare a Will or living trust
•Have Power of Attorney
•Designate a durable Power of Attorney for health care
•Have an updated Military I.D.
•Update your emergency data form
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Communications
•Prepare some pre-addressed, stamped post cards and envelopes
•Discuss what your communication options might be while deployed with family members
•Make sure family members and friends know how and what to send you a care package
•Keep a calendar with birthdays, anniversaries, phone numbers, and addresses of family members and friends
•Know how to contact the American Red Cross in an emergency
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How to Use the Red Cross During Family Emergencies
If your loved one is away from home because of military duty and you need to get in touch with him or her in the event of an emergency, then the American Red Cross is there to assist. Call 877-272-7337 (toll-free) for assistance. When calling the Red Cross, please provide as much of the following information about the service member as is known:
1.Full name
2.Rank/rating
3.Branch of service (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard)
4.Social Security Account number or date of birth
5.Military address
6.Information about the deployed unit and home base unit (for deployed service members only)
The Red Cross verifies this information and relays it to the appropriate command where it is up to the military whether the service member returns home. Remember, a service member can only come home in an emergency situation.
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