One of the challenges of military Families is the readjustment necessary when the Soldier returns from deployment. Once the euphoria of a safe return wears off, the reality of returning to everyday life sets in. The children are older than when the Soldier left, the spouse had to establish some new routines and the Soldier is faced with putting the deployment behind him/herself and reintegrating into civilian life.

Military OneSource has compiled some tips and strategies to help understand the ups and downs of reunions, worries about communication, changes in independence, expectations, getting reacquainted with young children and many other issues. Visit Military One Source for more information.

Soldiers deployed to Afghanistan, Iraq and other remote posts report that Mail Call is often the highlight of their day and a break in the routine. Here are some tips and thoughts that will brighten a Soldier’s day and let them know that the folks back home are thinking of them. Holiday packages are popular and much anticipated and here are some tips for shipping packages to a deployed Soldier this holiday season.

The US Postal Service offers a Priority Mail APO/FPO Flat Rate Box for $10.95. It’s 12 inches square and 5 ½ inches deep and it’s only $10.95 when used to send to any APO/FPO address regardless of weight. The box features the “America Supports You” logo and is free from the post office.

Holiday packages going to Iraq and Afghanistan need to be shipped at least three weeks in advance to insure they will arrive on time and they’ll need to be shipped via priority mail or first class. Packages larger than the Flat Rate Box will need to be sent 1-3 weeks earlier. If you can start sending packages even earlier, it will be better for the Soldier and ease some of the crunch. The Postal Service delivered 20 million pounds of mail to military installations last holiday season.

What to send? Phone cards are always popular, drink mixes, MP3 players, stamps, envelopes, freeze dried heat proof snacks like jerky, nuts or trail mix hold up well. Homemade cookies are appreciated but sometimes don’t arrive intact. Paperback books, cards and hometown newspapers are also welcome ways to pass the time. Check for restrictions on items that you are sending to a particular destination. In the region of Operation Iraqi Freedom, liquor, pornographic items, and pork products are prohibited.

Here are some tips to insure that your package arrives in one piece. Remember that desert temperatures often exceed 100 degrees, so be careful about anything that might melt. Provide cushioning for fragile items. Seal with two inch wide tape – don’t use cord, string or twine. Make sure the package is addressed to someone specific with a name, unit, and APO/FPO address with the nine digit zip code if assigned. For packages, print the recipient’s name clearly only on one side in the lower right hand portion. Include a card or paper inside with an inventory of contents in the event the package is damaged. Customs forms are required for all parcels. Make sure that you check the “Gift” option versus merchandise to avoid potential duty or import taxes.

Hickory Farms is waiving the additional $6.00 fee required for APO/FPO shipments in support of our troops. Choose Standard Shipping and your order will ship USPS Priority Mail at Standard Shipping rates. Allow 4 weeks for delivery. Visit the Hickory Farms website for details and to review the selection of meats, cheeses, fruits, nuts and other gift combination available.

Soldiers and their Families should be aware of the potential for PTSD after the Soldiers returns from a deployment to a war zone. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is an ailment resulting from exposure to an experience involving direct or indirect threat of serious injury or death. It is important to learn the signs of what may be PTSD and where to turn if the signs appear.

PTSD is characterized by a specific group of symptoms that sets it apart from other types of reactions to trauma. Increasingly, evidence points to four major types of symptoms: re-experiencing, avoidance, numbing, and arousal.

• Re-experiencing symptoms involve a sort of mental replay of the trauma, often accompanied by strong emotional reactions. This can happen in reaction to thoughts or reminders of the experience when the person is awake or in the form of nightmares during sleep.
• Avoidance symptoms are often exhibited as efforts to evade activities, places, or people that are reminders of the trauma.
• Numbing symptoms are typically experienced as a loss of emotions, particularly positive feelings.

Arousal symptoms reflect excessive physiological activation and include a heightened sense of being on guard as well as difficulty with sleep and concentration.

The Army Reserve Family Programs Office has compiled an extensive number of information and referral sources to enable Soldiers and their Families to learn more about PTSD and how to get help. To learn more, visit the Army Reserve Family Programs Web Portal