Care.com 2011 | Proprietary & Confidential 1July 2011

10 Things to Do Before Deployment

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Care.com 2011 | Proprietary & Confidential 2July 2011

Things to Do Before Deployment

• 1. Prepare a Power of Attorney. – Assign another person legal authority for your affairs

and your children. – The document should be prepared in advance but

signed and notarized when deployment is imminent to incorporate any last-minute changes.

• 2. Complete your will. – It's best to work with a lawyer to draft a formal 

document.

Care.com 2011 | Proprietary & Confidential 3July 2011

Things to Do Before Deployment

• 3. Select a guardian. – Use your will to assign someone, with whom you feel

comfortable, to care for children or other family members.

– Do not choose another service member since he or she can be deployed or mobilized.

• 4. Talk to the guardian. – Make sure that the guardian understands what will be

required and is willing to step in and fulfill the responsibilities on short notice and for an extended period, if necessary.

Care.com 2011 | Proprietary & Confidential 4July 2011

Things to Do Before Deployment

• 5. Prep certain files. – Provide the guardian with the locations of pertinent

documents, and the procedures for accessing military and civilian facilities and services on behalf of your dependents.

• 6. Gather identification. – Obtain ID and commissary cards for each family

member to ensure they have access to military benefits and privileges in your absence.

Care.com 2011 | Proprietary & Confidential 5July 2011

Things to Do Before Deployment

• 7. Get life insurance. – Enroll in Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance

(SGLI). The policy is available to all active duty and reserve members and supervised by Veterans Affairs. You can also contact USAA, a company dedicated to the military and their families, for affordable military life insurance to supplement your SGLI coverage.

• 8. Update info. – Make sure all insurance beneficiary information is up-

to-date.

Care.com 2011 | Proprietary & Confidential 6July 2011

Things to Do Before Deployment

• 9. Talk it through. – Discuss your plans with your older children.           

• 10. Create an FCP. – If you already have a Family Care Plan (FCP), update

it to reflect any changes in status such as divorce and remarriage. If you need an FCP, Family Readiness coordinators have the appropriate forms for you to fill out.

Care.com 2011 | Proprietary & Confidential 7July 2011April 8, 2023

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