Return & Reunion
Conclusion
Experience has shown that virtually all serving personnel returning from deployment, and their family, experience at least a little uneasiness as they readjust to their normal environment. Changes, some more subtle than others, have taken place during the deployment for the Service person, their family, and their friends and colleagues. To successfully cope with these changes requires that we make corresponding adjustments in attitude, thought and behaviour.
As you transition back to your pre-deployment environment, whenever you begin to feel angry or frustrated, ask yourself 'how realistic are my expectations in this situation?' 'Am I giving myself, and others, enough time and room to adjust?' 'Am I trying to force readjustments, rather than being patient and allowing it to happen at a comfortable pace?'
Remember that readjusting to home life and work life is a process, not an event. As the serving person reintegrates into his or her family, work, and social environments, it makes good sense to allow themselves, and others, the appropriate time and space. In so doing, you will probably find that within a few weeks everything will be back to its normal and comfortable pattern again. In the unlikely event, however, that after 3 or 4 weeks you are consistently feeling sad, having marital difficulties, problems with sleep or appetite, difficulty in concentrating, using alcohol excessively, or any other form of significant discomfort, please seek professional assistance.
Any deployment during a relationship can be a BUILDING BLOCK or a STUMBLING BLOCK It is up to the partners involved!!
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