With deployment comes preparedness. While much of pre-deployment is gearing up mentally and emotionally, tangible things must be done, too. Before deploying, ensure your household, finances, and family are in order.
Pre-deployment can be very stressful. There are so many things you can and should do. Thankfully, you can reduce this stress by following the MAS pre-deployment checklist.
Household
- Home maintenance and security
- Notify landlord or lease (many should have a deployment clause in place)
- Verify any pet vaccinations are up to date
Family
- Update emergency contacts and insurance coverage
- Ensure family care and benefits
- Update dependent ID cards before leaving
- Figure out a communication strategy
- Look ahead to counseling or other reintegration benefits
Financial
- Double-check any contracts
- Pay any bills or set up automatic payments
- Consider savings plans and plan for special incentive pay
- Consider saving or planning for a return vacation
- Review your deployment budget – with deployment comes increased income and reduced payments.
Legal
- Create a Power of Attorney (POA)
- Create or update your will
- Check that important legal documents are together, updated, and easily accessible by a spouse or trusted loved one. These include, but are not limited to:
- Tax documents
- Will
- Birth certificate
- Marriage license
- Insurance policies
- Social security card
- Vehicle titles
- Residence/lease contracts, mortgage paperwork, etc.
Other Important Tasks
- Educate yourself on pre-deployment (and post-deployment) support
- Review auto-insurance
- Refill medications
- Check important expiration/contract end dates
- Review Service Members Civil Relief Act. Under the SCRA, you could qualify for special benefits while deployed, especially if you’re a National Guard or Reserve member called to active duty. These benefits may include lower interest rates or the ability to exit rental agreements, cellphone contracts, and auto leases.
- Plan for your return – consider planning for any transportation or reintegration needs especially if you will be on TDY.
Closing Comments
As you complete the preparations and tasks before deployment, each step you take is crucial for your readiness.
Organizing personal affairs and ensuring professional responsibilities are in order set the stage for a successful deployment. Your dedication to these preparations enhances your readiness and provides peace of mind to those who support you.
Stay focused and know that your efforts are essential.
About Military AutoSource
Built for and by the military, Military AutoSource provides a factory-direct program tailored to the unique circumstances and needs of military life. As the only Exchange and DoD authorized car-buying program, MAS is the exclusive military distributor and retailer for Audi, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Dodge, Ford, Honda, Jeep, Lexus, Lincoln, Nissan, Ram, Toyota, Volkswagen vehicles and Harley-Davidson bikes.
Through our program service members stationed or deployed overseas can purchase a new or pre-owned vehicle for delivery in the US or to more than 50 overseas duty locations. Learn more about your overseas U.S. Military car-buying benefits.
