Our goal is to provide you with information and tools so you can empower yourself to understand what will happen before, during and after your Marine's deployment. In preparation for deployment, we strongly recommend that you read through the entire Deployment Section on the MarineParents.com web site. There is a lot to learn, but by reading and learning, you'll be empowered with knowledge and thereby be better prepared to support your Marine during the deployment, and just as important, be better prepared take care of yourself.
Should you attend the sendoff?
In most instances, the Marine Corps does not have a planned sendoff "gathering" for family members other than spouses prior to departure. If your Marine is asking you to attend the sendoff, I would suggest you make every effort to be there for the sendoff. However, be aware that many Marines, especially single Marines, choose not to invite their family to attend the sendoff. The reasons are varied, but include not knowing the exact date and/or time of departure, and primarily, being extraordinarily busy with preparations for deployment. Most family members who attend the sendoff are spouses and children who are stationed near the point of departure. If you have your heart and mind set on seeing your Marine prior to deployment and your Marine has agreed, by all means attend. However, if it's not feasible to attend the sendoff, consider a weekend visit with your Marine several weeks prior to the actual departure date.
What unit is your Marine with?
Your Marine may or may not know the exact mailing address for you to use prior to his/her deployment. If that's the case, you should make every effort to understand what Unit your Marine is deploying with prior to departure. Knowing what unit your Marine is with will help you locate an address and other important information once your Marine has left. You will need to know more than just the name of the platoon; there are several "Kilo Platoons" with several different battalions. Generally, your Marine will be able to tell you what battalion, company, and platoon (or battery) he/she will be deploying with.
Overseas Addresses
It is imperative that you address your Marine's mail and packages correctly. The address that your Marine gave you prior to departure should be used during the duration of the deployment. Most overseas mailing addresses for the Marine Corps include a UIC (Unit Identification Code). That code tells the military postal facility where your Marine is located during the deployment. If you are unsure how to address mail to your Marine, you can do three things:
- Visit MotoMail.us to verify the address
To verify the address at MotoMail.us, you must have the correct UIC or Unit number. You will then need to sign up for an account and select the unit number from the drop down menu when you register your Marine's address. For additional information, click "MotoMail.us" to your left under Communications.
- Call the FRO (Family Readiness Officer) for your Marine's unit
This is where it's important to know what unit your Marine is with. Every deployed unit has a FRO, or Family Readiness Officer, assigned to remain at the base location the unit deployed from. The FRO will be able to assist you in verifying your deployed Marine's mailing address. To find the FRO for your Marine's unit, see the link "Unit Info Page: UIP™" to the left under Hot Topics.
- Call the Postal Facilty at the base location your Marine deployed from
For a complete list of postal facility phone numbers, please see: http://www.marineparents.com/deployment/issues-Address.asp
Purchase Calling Cards Now
We strongly suggest that you purchase calling calling cards prior to deployment. Buy the calling card(s) now, and give your Marine the access information and pin number. Keep the information for yourself as well if you plan to call customer service to recharge the calling card for your Marine while deployed. For information on calling cards, please see http://www.marineparents.com/usmc/deploy-mkd-comm-callingcards.asp or use the main navigation bar on the left to drill down to:
"Deployments" > "Communications" > "With Your Marine" > "Calling Cards".
Single Marines
As the parent of a single Marine, you may be asked by your Marine to take on the responsibility of your Marine's affairs and finances during the deployment. However, know that the USMC has systems in place for your Marine to make those arrangements using a variety of tools available to them. The choice for handling your single Marine's affairs are best left to your Marine. If you are asked to handle his/her affairs during deployment, follow your Marine's lead. He/she may provide you with the following documents to assist in handling his/her affairs:
- Durable Power of Attorney, generally valid for one year from date of issue. If your Marine signed a durable power of attorney, you will receive a copy. Marines can also complete durable power of attorney during deployments.
- Copy of Deployment Orders
- Signature Authority for checking and savings accounts
Married Marines
As the spouse of a deployed Marine, you have additional needs and considerations to arrange prior to deployment. If you are living on or near the Marine Corps installation that your Marine will deploy from, make every effort to attend the "Pre-deployment Briefings" that will be held about a month before departure. If you are unable to attend, you'll want to get in touch with the Key Volunteer Network to learn about the resources available to you during your Marine's deployment. For additional information, or if you are not near a military installation, visit your Marine's unit web site, or call MCCS One Source at 1-800-433-6868.
