Deployment Advice -ALWAYS tell them you love them at the beginning of a conversation. They will get cut off a lot, and sometimes they aren't able to call back or log back on. It will give you a piece of mind to know you said it and to know they heard it. -Create milestones while your man is gone, such as for every month that passes, treat yourself to something you normally wouldn't. It's a great way to reflect on the time that has passed and gives you something to look forward to. -Have a countdown, but just to keep yourself prepared for the worse, remember that the return date can ALWAYS change. It's a hard concept to grasp, but the sooner you accept it, the easier it will be on you if they do get extended. -If you have internet connection with your soldier think bout investing in a Web Cam...they love seeing their loved one on the computer! -If you need to scream or cry let it out...it is MUCH MUCH better to let it out than to keep it in -If you think you're in a rut or going into one...start a journal! Write ONLY happy thoughts -Invest in a digital camera or one for each of you. He will want to see a ton of pictures from home and it is so much fun to send them back and forthwhen you are on IM. -Its great to talk to your soldier lots, but just remember that once things to talk about are hard to come by, it makes it easier for disagreement andargument. Sometimes, it's easier to just say goodbye then and start the next day (or next talk) fresh and happy! -Make sure to send letters, it is something that your man can read over and over again, while a phone call and chat on IM is great, no one likes feeling left out during mail call. -My favorite quote that I found and I think it relates well to a deployment, "We either make ourselves miserable or we make ourselves strong. The amount of work is the same." -Carlos Castaneda -Negative people will drag you down, stay far away from them. Not many will understand what you are going through and it's important to be able to talk to the ones who do. You will probably lose some friends during a deployment, but you will also find your true friends. -NO NEWS IS GOOD NEWS!!! The Army will contact you if something is wrong. -Nothing is set in stone. As we all know, the Army changes their minds numerous times before actually going through with something, and its no different during a deployment. -OPSEC OPSEC OPSEC -Prepare for the worst and hope that it will turn out better than that. -Remember that they are busy over there. If you dont hear from your soldier for a few days more than what you are used to, remember that it could be because of numerous things: the communications went down (which happens A LOT), they had to go on a mission last minute, they worked all day and are absolutely dead tired, etc. They want to talk to you just as much as you want to talk to them, but its not always their fault when it doesnt happen as often as you'd like! -Save letters he's sent you. Someday, it will be something you will read and cherish forever! -Send at least one laminated picture of you/kids/dog, so that it won't get ruined. If you don't have the supplies to laminate it, print out the pic small enough to lay in between two pieces of packaging tape and trim to leave the edges at 1/4 an inch. This way, he can take a picture with him everywhere. -This is the military get use to the Hurry Up and Wait motto!!! -Try not to get into a rut the further into one you get the harder it is to get out of it -Wash your hair right before you go to bed then in the morning put the pillow case in a zip lock bag and send it, he will be so pleased to have something that he smells right before he goes to bed. My DH loved it! -You will find that you are stronger than you ever imagined, you just have to accept that change.   This list was compiled by the Ladies of Wives Behind Their Soldier