MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. -- There are many different ways for spouses to cope with deployments, but for some struggling with the reality and stresses of their Marine being deployed, the fears are endless and it may often seem like there is no one to turn to for support.
Attending the “Beyond the Brief … the Rest of the Story” workshops is just one way for spouses of deployed Marines to adapt to their ever-changing world.
The “Juggling During Deployment” class wrapped up the series of workshops offered at the Midway Park Marine Corps Family Team Building office aboard the Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune housing area, June 29.
This interactive workshop was designed to help spouses learn to maintain time for family, relationships, work and fun and provided the tools needed to identify, prioritize and maximize life’s events as well as reduce the stressors associated with them.
Beyond the Brief workshops, based on a six-week cycle, is a Camp Lejeune-originated program focusing on six strong points to consider before, during and after a deployment and were created to strengthen resiliency with spouses and significant others.
“We cover a lot of topics in a short amount of time during the pre-deployment briefs,” said Melinda Rau, readiness and deployment support trainer with Marine Corps Family Team Building. “The Beyond the Brief series allows you to get in a little bit deeper with some of those topics.”
The class setting was centered on small group interaction, and members of the class discussed different opinions and outcomes for individual scenarios.
The class was relaxed, interactive and educational and provided a fun environment to learn in.
Classmates discussed problems they have had to deal with while their spouses were deployed and gave “deployment virgins” advice on how to cope.
“The first time my husband deployed, my grandmother passed away,” said Erin Lynch, an attendant of the class. “I didn’t think I was going to be able to handle it on my own, but I had a really great support system of family and friends to help me through the tough time.”
Rau focused the class around finding balance, managing stressors within their lives and de-stressing.
“Each of us is different, but we all need to find the routine that allows us to find time for fun and relaxation so we are in a better place to handle life’s stressors when they can be the most challenging,” she said. “When you find these key things to make you feel more positive and resilient, you can train your body to respond with relaxation when you realize you are stressed.”
The next Beyond the Brief series will start in September.
For more information and registration, call Marine Corps Family Team Building at 451-0176.