Communication Skills

Although you will not physically be with your spouse during deployment, it is important for the well-being of both of you to continue to emotionally support one another. The goal of this section is to help you make that communication effective and supportive for you both.

Communication during deployment can be hard. You may be very busy now, but nothing compares to the physical and verbal support you received when your loved one was home. Although you will not physically be with your spouse during deployment, it is important for the well-being of both of you to continue to emotionally support one another.

Though communication technology has improved significantly, there will be roadblocks to the amount and quality of communication you had before deployment. Calls or video chats may be random and come at strange hours. Emails or letters may be short. It is important to know what communication tools are available to you both. Because of the unpredictable nature of the contact, it is important to be able to communicate effectively when the opportunity happens. You may also find this chapter’s communication tools help you improve communication with friends and Family, helping you to receive the support you need.

During this time, closeness in relationships is continued by the amount and types of communication between the two of you. All couples have different patterns, types, and frequencies of communication. During deployment, it is essential for the two of you to determine what works best for you as a couple. Have realistic expectations for frequency of contact and the specific things your loved one would like to know about.

Some couples find it possible to communicate every day, some once a week. It depends on the nature of your spouse’s job and access to communication devices. The goal of this section is to help you make that communication effective and supportive for you both. Start the Module.



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