What are the Issues and Challenges?

Example 1: Mrs. Thompson’s 4th grade student Joe recently started going to the school nurse daily with stomach cramps and headaches. When she called home to talk to the parents, she learned that Joe’s mom had recently been deployed to Afghanistan and that Joe’s family life was in complete transition.

Example 2: Sam seemed fine, despite just returning from his third deployment in two years to Iraq. But as his co-worker, Eric wondered if Sam might want to talk about things. He just didn’t know how to bring it up.

Returning to the Home Front

Before deployment, during deployment and after deployment, both the Service Member and their family experience challenges. Following return from the war zone below are some possible reactions for Service Members and Families:

  • Shifts in family roles: new friendships have formed, new responsibilities have been taken on
  • Increases in family stress
  • Children may feel angry and it might be hard reconnecting with the parent who was deployed
  • Need for personal space; distancing is normal at first, it is not personal
  • Increased confidence, worldliness, & greater appreciation for life

For more information see:  Learn More, or visit Returning from the war zone: Guides for Military Members and Families of Military Personnel from the VA National Center for PTSD.