Trident July 27 2009

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one of a kind, unique take on military
life, garden art project which
will be proudly displayed at 12
Wing Shearwater.
For full details and contest
rules please visit www.halifaxmfrc.ca/youth.
Deployment corner
Deployment... what does it mean?
Is your daughter currently in the
Sudan? Your spouse away on IR?
Or perhaps your grandson is away
on course? Whenever someone you
care about is away, any work related
separation that is a deployment.
Deployments can be 2 weeks or 2
years, whether they are away on a
ship/boat, to Afghanistan, Sudan,
Jerusalem, etc., or gone to basic
trainin—anytime away. Contact
Deployment Services to ensure that
all family members (of regular and
reserve force) are on our deployment
contact list (we can even contact
people who are living in other
provinces and put them in touch
with the MFRC nearest to them),
deployment@halifaxmfrc.ca.
Deployment Family Networks
Family networks are a wonderful
and affordable means for military
families with common concerns
and interests to join in on a variety
of fun social events every month for
the duration of the deployment.
Consisting of family members and
friends of deployed CF members,
networks are set up at the beginning
of a deployment for families to
share information, make new supportive
friends and organize all
kinds of special outings and events.
Réseaux de soutien pour les
familles vivant un déploiement
Venez rejoindre nos réseaux de
soutien pour les familles vivant un
déploiement. Chaque mois, une
grande variété d’activités sociales
plus amusantes les unes que les
autres sont organisées pour permettre
aux familles avec des intérêts et
des soucis communs de se rencontrer.
Constitués de membres de la
famille et d’amis des membres des
FC déployés, les réseaux sont mis en
place au début du déploiement pour
permettre aux familles de partager
des informations, rencontrer de
nouveaux amis et organiser toutes
sortes de sorties et d’évènements
pour toute la durée du déploiement.
Video Teleconferencing
The H&R MFRC has a video teleconferencing
system at our Halifax
site for families of members
deployed to Kandahar. Contact the
MFRC at 427-7788 for more information
on the VTC system.
Cycle of Deployment:
Recovery and Stabilization
In past issues of the Trident, we
provided information on the Cycle
of Deployment. If you didn’t see the
other articles and would like a copy
of the article, please contact deployment@halifaxmfrc.ca.
You will notice that in time you
will adapt to your new environment
and the demands of the deployment.
Settling into a routine is
something that military members
are accustomed to and you will
notice a stabilization of emotions,
but the challenges will remain both
demanding and exhilarating.
Common reactions:
• Feeling a sense of job satisfaction.
• Meeting the challenge and
demands of the deployment and
completing operational taskings.
• Experiencing the demands of
working within small teams.
• Stress.
• Concern that your family is coping
so well that you are no
longer needed, increased feelings
of isolation and separation.
• Feelings of increased confidence,
independence, competence, freedom,
pride, isolation, anxiety,
depression.
• Worry about problems at home.
• Confidence.
Strategies:
• Enjoy new skills, freedom and
independence.
• Establish peer networks.
• Be aware of small team dynamics—use
the strengths within the
team to guide task outcomes.
• Manage fatigue levels with good
sleep routines.
• Use stress management
techniques.
• Celebrate signs of positive
growth in self, family and friends
by letting others know of your
achievements. Likewise,
acknowledge the achievements
of those at home when you talk
to them on the phone or in letters/cards/emails.
• Offer empathy and emotional
support to family and friends in
need but recognize limitations to
the support you can provide from
the operational environment.
This is where the support networks
established during pre
deployment are important
Stage 5: Anticipation of Homecoming.
Preparing for homecoming is
filled with huge excitement and
some apprehension. Both you and
those at home will have hopes and
expectations about the homecoming.
These thoughts can at times be
MFRC Youth Volunteer of the Year
Matthew Hunt, Halifax & Region MFRC’s Youth Volunteer of the Year
receives a Pittsburgh Penguins NHL hockey jersey in recognition of
his ongoing support and volunteerism. Matt volunteered over 250
hours this past year alone. Chris Saldon, Executive Assistant in
Shearwater commented that, “Matthew has been an extraordinary volunteer.
Without his dedication to the H&R MFRC administrative team
we would not have been able to provide the high level of service that
we have. I personally appreciate his dedication to volunteerism.”
idealistic so the reality of the situation
needs to be placed into perspective.
Emotionally preparing for
going home allows you to think
about the challenges and discuss
plans with loved ones and friends.
Common reactions:
• Increased energy and activity.
• Sleep and appetite disturbances.
• Feelings of joy, excitement, anxiety,
apprehension, restlessness,
impatience.
• Distraction from operational role
and tasks.
Strategies:
• Maintain focus on your work
to ensure that all taskings are
completed in time before
returning to Canada.
• Share your feelings of apprehension
as well as excitement and joy.
• Share your expectations and
desires for homecoming.
• Reassure your family of your
love and commitment.
• Include your children in planning
for the homecoming celebration.
• Plan to have some family time.
Next issue: Information for
the Single Member, the Single Parent,
the Deploying Member With
Adult Dependents.
Childcare Registry
We are looking for childcare
providers living in different areas of
HRM, both adults and youth, who are
interested in having their names in
our childcare registry. These names
are collected and placed in a binder
for community members who are
looking for childcare, either in their
home or yours. It is the responsibility
of parents/guardians to interview
the potential childcare person and
to check references. The MFRC does
not screen the providers in the registry
binders. For more information
in regards to obtaining childcare or to
have your name added to the list contact
427-7784 or 720-1040.
Volunteer Training and Activities
Would you like to volunteer at the
H&R MFRC? We are always recruiting
and there are many ways to
become involved. We have short
term projects, lots of special events
and seasonal projects. Volunteering
can be from the Shearwater, Halifax
or Cape Breton site, or even from
your own home. Contact Jill Clarke
in our Volunteer Services Department
to find out about our current
volunteer opportunities at 427-
7205 or 720-2002.
Upcoming MFRC Programs
Register for programs or call for
information at Halifax 427-7788 or
Shearwater 720-1885.
Unless otherwise listed, programs
and events at the Halifax site
are located in the HMCC, Bldg 106
Windsor Park and programs at the
Shearwater site are located in the
Hampton Gray Memorial Building.
Registration: Please register and
pay for MFRC programs including
childcare. Registration is not complete
until participants have paid for
the program/event. You can register
and pay for any program at whichever
site is more convenient for you—
Halifax or Shearwater. We also
accept credit and debit cards for payment
over $5 per transaction.
Please note that unless otherwise
indicated, programs are offered in
English. For other program information
and details, please visit
www.halifaxmfrc.ca.
Note for all casual care programs:
Parents are responsible to provide
necessary clothing and items for their
children, i.e. appropriate indoor and
outdoor clothing/footwear, diapers,
wipes, change of clothes, bottles, etc.
Please provide snacks for your children
for Shearwater site casual care
programs. No nuts please.
À venir – les
programmes du CRFM
Pour vous inscrire aux programmes
ou obtenir des renseignements,
appelez au 427-7788 (Halifax)
ou au 720-1885 (Shearwater).
Sauf mention contraire, les programmes
et événements prévus
pour Halifax se déroulent au Centre
communautaire militaire d’Halifax,
bâtiment 106, Windsor Park, et les
programmes prévus pour Shearwater
se déroulent à l’Édifice Hampton
Gray Memorial à Shearwater.
Inscriptions : Vous devez vous
inscrire et payer votre inscription à
l’avance, y compris le service de
halte-garderie. L’inscription à un
programme ou événement n’est pas
complète tant que le paiement n’est
pas reçu en totalité. Vous pouvez
vous inscrire et payer à l’un ou
l’autre des sites de Shearwater ou
d’Halifax. Les formes de paiements
acceptées sont en argent et par carte
de crédit ou de débit pour les transactions
de 5 $ ou plus.
Veuillez prendre note que, sauf
avis contraire, les programmes ne
sont offerts qu’en anglais. Pour tout
autre renseignement ou précision
sur les programmes, veuillez consulter
: www.halifaxmfrc.ca.
Note : En ce qui concerne tous les
programmes de halte-garderie : les
parents doivent fournir les vêtements
et articles nécessaires à
leur(s) enfant(s), c’est-à-dire vêtements
et chaussures adaptés pour
l’intérieur et l’extérieur, couches,
débarbouillettes, vêtements de
rechange, bouteilles, etc. Pour les
programmes de halte-garderie de
Shearwater, veuillez prévoir des
collations pour vos enfants (Pas de
noix s’il vous plaît).
Upcoming Events
TRIDENT, JULY 27, 2009
Family Beach Day
at MacDonald Beach
Bring your towel, hat, and sunscreen,
and join us at MacDonald
Beach. Don’t forget your sand toys
and beach gear for a summer swim