Upcoming Deployments
Spend quality time with him, especially if you are a family member or close friend. This is the time where he wants that kind of attention & wishes to spend every minute with the people he cares about.
Discuss financial and any business-related issues and situations before he leaves. Make sure the proper people have the correct general and specific "Powers of Attorney." You never want to waste an international call on something that could have been talked about in person. Have someone you absolutely trust added to his bank account to keep it in check, etc.
Make sure everyone whom he is planning to call knows that his calls are going to be random, could be any time of the day, and up to a month apart.
Have a talk with the kids as a family to let them know and understand what is going on. This eliminates the question, "Where's Daddy?"
Make the care package list immediately. Listen to him on what he wants - it's going to be his non-military essentials for a few months! So if he wants cigarettes or local perishable food (canned or non-refrigerated), give it to him. Gather all the necessary stuff and send it as soon as you get the address of his station. It takes a package to be sent (either way) between a week and a month.
During Deployments
Enjoy every single call that you have with him. Even if it's for a few seconds, two minutes, or an hour - it's his voice!
Remember OPSEC! Do not discuss anything an enemy would find useful. For example, do not discuss dates of return, times, specific duty stations, specific units/battalions, etc.
Be creative with care packages. Let your children help you make it, so it becomes a little more personal with the family (and more love put into it!). Keep in mind that most of it will be shared with his buddies, so you might want to include some extra stuff. Protect the box with lots of tape, and pack so nothing can get crushed or smashed.
After Deployments
Have patience with the Marine, as he may not be the same person he was when he left. Even if it was short, it might have hurt him emotionally. Not everyone gets PTSD, but most will suffer some of the symptoms.
Let him know that you'll be there for him anytime if he needs someone to talk to. Don't pressure him into forcing it out - he could be very fragile.
Find military support for him. This could be a better option because he may be more comfortable talking in that environment.
Help him get the things he's been missing! A favorite meal or activity might be just what he wants.
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