Airmen need to ask themselves ‘Can I deploy today?’ Published Sept. 17, 2010 By Senior Master Sergeant David Richerson Holm Center First Sergeant MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. -- Each military member, regardless of assigned unit or location, must be ready to deploy. It's simply a fundamental part of the service to the nation. Outside of job training, each Airmen must be personally ready to deploy when called upon. To do so, consider the following: Family and children: Sometimes families and children may not understand why we travel to faraway places to work. Many families know all too well the dangers we encounter while away. Talk about these things ahead of time. Address everyone's fears. Discuss any other family issues before deploying. Open communication about a deployment will help ease everyone's mind and mitigate family stress. Family care plans: Many Airmen have families and must ensure adequate care arrangements for them when servicemembers must be away. Written Family Care Plans (via AF Form 357) are required for: a) single military members with dependents residing with them, b) dual military couples with dependents residing with them, c) military members with unique circumstances that require their dependents, including spouse, to receive special care in the military member's absence, and d) other circumstances as defined in AFI 36-2908, Family Care Plans. Medical concerns: If an Airman has a medical issue, it's best to have it evaluated sooner rather than later. Delaying a diagnosis and/or treatment usually doesn't improve a medical condition. It is better to get a medical problem evaluated, documented and treated before a deployment tasking is received, rather than after. Additionally, if an Airman isn't medically cleared to deploy, the next Airman tasked now has less time before he or she leaves, less time with his or her family. Legal preparations: The ideal time to create a will is before receipt of a deployment tasking. Creating a will now ensures personal wishes are well thought out and fully documented. Doing a will right before deployment may increase stress, especially if it involves unique family circumstances or a large amount of assets. Likewise, special powers of attorney are good to have prearranged before a tasking. Physical preparedness: Participating in a rigorous fitness program helps get bodies ready to operate in the deployed environment. Regardless of a fitness test score, each person must evaluate themselves on whether they are truly ready to endure the demands of a deployed location. Financial preparations: Everyone has bills and those will continue during deployment. Each person must have a working plan on how to pay bills while deployed. Whether it is Internet banking or a friend/family member with a special power or attorney, this step is vital to be done in advance. Waiting to work out financial issues after receipt of a tasking may put an Airman in a bind and will create undue personal stress. Preparing now mitigates stress on Airmen and their families, ultimately helping the mission. Personal readiness should be achieved well before a tasking is received. Airmen should ask themselves: "Can I deploy today? Right now?" If not, take the necessary steps to achieve personal readiness.