Family First!
When you are a parent and have to go on a mission, it is important to always prepare the children in advance, both morally and materially. There is no need to dramatize the situation; you just need to master every detail to avoid alarming the children. Indeed, separation is a difficult stage in the life of a family, especially for our dear little ones. Regardless of age, it is always painful to endure the prolonged absence of a parent.
Therefore, to better help children manage this situation when the time comes, it is essential to find the right words to explain to them the place, duration, and why you are going on a mission (as much as possible, of course). It will be difficult for a young child to fully grasp the duration of your absence, so it is crucial to reassure them by talking about your return, which will help them understand that the absence is only temporary. It is also important to emphasize that the date is not fixed and may change. You can also seek help from a social service assistant from the Ministry of the Armed Forces if you find it difficult to express this.
Gather Your Administrative Documents
It is crucial to leave with a clear mind, otherwise, you will not be able to be 100% focused on what you are doing during your deployment, potentially disrupting the smooth running of the mission. And departures for operations can be very quick, which is why it is wise to review all administrative, financial, or legal files in advance.
Very important, gather all essential documents for the family in a specific and easy-to-find place for your spouse because once you are gone, it will be difficult or sometimes impossible to help them in time. You should then organize all files concerning your children, civil status, health, housing, money, transport card, vehicle, power of attorney for the Post Office, etc. All administrative and financial questions must be settled with your spouse.
Check Your Insurance Contracts
One of the first things to do before leaving is to take out death/disability insurance according to your marital status in addition to your military mutual insurance. Also, pay attention to your death insurance contract concerning your mortgage to ensure it does not exclude death occurring during an Opex.
Regarding car insurance, be aware that military personnel can be part of specific profiles that may entitle them to privileges. This is mainly because they are generally called to leave their homes for a long or sometimes indefinite period. Some companies offer significant discounts if your vehicle is immobilized for a long time.
Prepare Yourself Mentally
Every soldier who has been on an external operation mission will tell you, physical preparation is very important, but mental preparation is crucial! Everyone has their own way of approaching their departure. However, you can follow some basic rules:
- Stay informed about the current situation in the theater, geopolitical context, etc.
- Take advantage of the feedback from your colleagues, discuss it with them (nothing beats RETEX)
- Do a material check (see our practical sheet on the kit)
- Other resources: intradef, e-learning, MCO (operational conditioning)...
Conclusion
As you can see, as exciting as Opex departures can be, it is very important to prepare well both professionally and personally. To avoid forgetting anything, consider making checklists with the help of your spouse and colleagues.