When your Marine arrives "in country", most generally they'll hit the ground running and have a million things to do to get organized in the new location. It may be 2 weeks or more before you hear from your Marine. But, you may be lucky enough to get a phone call in the first few days as well.

For Marines whose final destination is Iraq, most generally they will stop over in Kuwait for a few weeks in order to acclimate and wait for the entire battalion to arrive before journeying north to Iraq. Your Marine's unit my fly into Iraq on planes or helicopters, or they may convoy on a highway with military vehicles to their destination.

While in Kuwait, there are communication centers available to the Marines, but most generally there are very long lines to use the phone. The communication centers may also include computers with internet, instant messaging, email and possibly web cams. Your Marine will have hot chow while in Kuwait and may even have access to a few limited-menu restaurants that serve all-American favorites such as fried chicken, hamburgers, and sub sandwiches.

Before being deployed, your Marine was most likely required to have a minimum amount of toiletries, supplies and clothing to bring in his/her C-bag. While in Kuwait, your Marine will likely have access to an AAFES, or military store, where items such as snacks, socks, toothpaste, boots, and uniforms and even calling cards may be purchased. Care packages will become more of a necessity after about a month of deployment.

During your Marine's deployment, support from home comes from healthy family members. Your mental health, safety and well-being is as important as your Marine's mental health, safety and well-being. Remember to take care of YOU during deployment.

For additional information on deployments, including communications with your Marine, with the FRO, and with other family members, use the left navigation bar. The deployment section of the MarineParents.com, Inc. web site also includes a section titled "Issues during Deployment" to help you find answers to more detailed questions. You'll also find a section titled "Help for You" and "Troop Support" for ways to take care of you and ways to get involved with supporting our troops.