IA Sailor Chaplain Support
The experience of deploying as an Individual Augmentee (IA) in a Global Support Assignment (GSA), Individual Augmentee Manpower Management (IAMM), Mobilized Reserve Personnel (RC MOB), Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO) Support Assignment (OSA) or Health Services Augmentation Program (HSAP), is profoundly different from that of deploying as an organic part of a command or staff.
Chaplains provide confidential, emotional and religious support for you and your family throughout the deployment cycle. We stand ready to help you succeed in providing the best support possible for our Navy IA Sailors. Thank you for your service!
Pre-deployment
Chaplains serve at Parent Commands as facilitators of IA pre-deployment, family readiness, spiritual readiness and resiliency, and similar briefs and training opportunities. We conduct pre-deployment needs assessment, offer confidential pastoral care and counsel. We facilitate your religious needs, identify pre-deployment stressors, introduce the nearest Spiritual Fitness Division (CREDO) office and provide information on marriage enrichment, personal growth, spiritual growth, family enrichment, singles retreats, and links to Navy and Community Services as required. We assess your needs and provide the desired level of service for further follow-up. Religious Ministry Teams (RMT) are accessible at all Naval Mobilization Processing Sites (NMPS).
Chaplains work closely with Command IA Coordinators (CIACs) to provide counsel, prayer, and religious support for IA Sailors and their families throughout the IA continuum.
Chaplains work closely with CIACs, informing them of available resources for IA Sailors and their families. Chaplains also serve as key coordinators of IA pre-deployment, Return, Reunion & Reintegration (R3) programs, spiritual resiliency, and training opportunities.
For commands without a Chaplain, CIAC support is offered by two mobilized reserve Chaplains. They offer support to CIACs who may not have access to a unit Chaplain and ensure effective strategic communication of services. Support includes:
- Serve as advisors and partners to CIACs
- Facilitate contact with IAs
- Maintain the religious ministry web presence
- Offer tools and support to Religious Ministry Teams delivering support to IAs & Families
Chaplains at NMPS help you understand the Operational Stress Control (OSC) continuum model and how to apply it to your life and work.
According to the OSC model, military personnel range across four categories in their reactions to combat/operational stress and their capacity to deal with additional stressors: ready, reacting, injured, or ill. Most Sailors move back and forth between the first two categories, emerging stronger from challenges which may be temporarily disruptive. A few may need assistance to work through issues associated with stressful experiences, and a very few develop chronic (but still treatable) illnesses, such as PTSD. RMTs have a pivotal role in helping Sailors manage stress and/or find support and treatment resources.
Chaplains can teach you about the emotional cycles of deployment
Pre-deployment and redeployment briefs are a familiar and predictable part of the deployment cycle. However, IA Sailors and family members may not have the opportunity to receive this training and re-training with deploying units, so may need individual instruction concerning the key issues within each of the following:
- Stage 1 - Anticipation of Departure
- Stage 2 - Detachment and Withdrawal
- Stage 3 - Emotional Disorganization
- Stage 4 - Recovery and Stabilization
- Stage 5 - Anticipation of Return
- Stage 6 - Return Adjustment and Renegotiation
- Stage 7 - Reintegration and Stabilization
Chaplains know which programs are offered by the local CREDO and how they can help the IA Sailor and family to prepare for deployment.
CREDO’s common programs are the Personal Growth Retreat, Marriage Enrichment Retreat, Family Growth Retreat, and Spiritual Growth Retreat. Many CREDOs also offer one-day seminars, custom training and exportable training in a variety of formats. Go to Navy ChaplainCare, “CREDO RETREATS” menu link to find the CREDO Retreats in your Region.
Chaplains know which programs are offered by the local Fleet and Family Support Center (FFSC) and how they can help the IA Sailor and family to prepare for deployment and redeployment.
While regional and installation websites may follow a standard template, most have a visible “Families” or “Fleet and Family Support Center” link. FFSCs offer life-skills education, personal and family readiness resources, and short-term counseling for individuals and families. FFSCs also sponsor Individual Deployment Support Specialists (IDSS), who make regular contact with an IA Sailor’s family members during their Sailor’s deployment. Families located away from fleet concentration areas may receive online services and local referrals through Military OneSource.
Chaplains work closely with the Command Ombudsman and the Family Readiness Group.
The Ombudsman is your command’s conduit for official information and advice to the command about family readiness and morale. The Family Readiness Group is a non-profit organization that works in conjunction with the Command to inform families (often including significant others and children) and provide morale-building and social activities to help enhance family readiness
Chaplains know local community resources and how they can assist IA Sailors and their families, to include the American Red Cross Service and the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society.
Chaplains can assess pre-deployment needs and assist the Sailor in meeting them. These include spiritual, emotional, and relational needs.
In a pre-deployment conversation with IA Sailors, Chaplains have an opportunity to listen for existing personal and family issues, and to provide support and/or early referral. Questions about hope, meaning, and faith may be appropriate, e.g., “What gives you hope in difficult situations?” “What do you and your loved ones find yourselves worrying about?” “What opportunities for growth does this deployment open for you and your loved ones?” “What role does your faith play in your preparations for deployment, boots on ground and redeployment?”
To Access a Chaplain for IA Sailor Support
- Contact your Command Chaplain.
- For urgent matters, access the Duty Chaplain through your nearest Navy installation Quarterdeck.
- For routine matters, contact a US Fleet Forces Command Staff Chaplain for IA Sailors and Families:
Chaplains provide confidential, emotional and religious support throughout the deployment cycle. We stand ready to help you succeed in providing the best support possible for our Navy IAs. Thank you again for your service!
After-hour & weekend Chaplain support is available by contacting one of the following Command Quarterdecks:
MID ATLANTIC
Norfolk, VA: (757) 322-2866
JEB Little Creek, VA: (757) 462-7385
Oceana, VA: (757) 433-2366
Dam Neck Annex, VA: (757) 492-6234
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SOUTH EAST
Jacksonville, FL: (904) 542-2338
Mayport, FL: (904) 270-5401
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SOUTHWEST
San Diego, CA: (619) 524-5503
Coronado, CA: (619) 545-8123
Pt. Loma, CA: (619) 524-5503
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NORTHWEST
Kitsap, WA: (360) 627-4024
Everett, WA: (425) 304-3366
Whidbey Island, WA: (360) 257-2631
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MIDWEST
Great Lakes, IL: (847) 688-3300 |
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