The process of military personnel deployment is related to various challenges, beginning with the evaluation of a person and selection of proper programs and ending with reintegration difficulties. The stage of post-deployment seems to be the most challenging as it includes the attempts to adjust and reunite with the family and community. This period is associated with mixed emotions when the family is happy to reintegrate but also faces problems with set roles and responsibilities. It is probably the tensest period since roles changed in the absence of the service member, and children passed one or several developmental milestones (Rubin et al., 2012). Even though military personnel is equipped with tools and resources to combat PTSD, depression, and other issues, it is still extremely complex to navigate the skills of living within the family. The experiences of war and military service, in general, pose such threats as divorce, domestic violence, problems with intimacy, conflicts, and psychological burden on children.
As a social worker, it is critical to anticipate specific problems that a client and his or her family may face to try to prevent them. In terms of attachment theory, it is possible to examine the relationships within the family and discuss roles and responsibilities that existed before military service to reveal any changes. The support for attachments should be provided based on their functions, such as caregiving or proximity seeking (Rubin et al., 2012). However, if one of the family members relied on the other one, the stage of post-deployment may turn it over, which can be another difficulty. Therefore, while setting the relationship points of support, it is important to pay attention to the capability of a person to play a certain role. Empathy, patience, and the feeling of security should be the key features of handling family reintegration.
Reference
Rubin, A., Weiss, E. L., & Coll, J. E. (2012). Handbook of military social work. John Wiley & Sons.