Home of the 3-509th UMT

Deployment

Deployments place soldiers and family members under different conditions, with which the UMT must adapt. Understandably, the command prepares soldiers and family members through briefings and many checklists for deployments and redeployments. The UMT's role is first, be a deployable and highly prepared asset to the unit. We too, have checklists and Standard Operating Procedures which dictate a host of deployment issues. Through accountability checks and personal pride, we make a commitment to the unit to be prepared, "in season and out of season."¹

During deployments and other periods of separation, the UMT continues the commitment to performing or providing for the free exercise of religion for soldiers. This includes recognizing holy days, rites and sacraments, and dietary laws. Although the unit's mission is primary, reasonable accommodations to religious needs are taken seriously.

Near the end of deployment, the UMT helps prepare for reunions between family members at home and the soldier. While the honeymoon period of a few weeks to a few months is usually not too complicated, the time afterwards of integrating lives back together begins the challenge. The UMT assists to help restore and preserve the relationships couples and families knew before the deployment through equipping with coping skills. During this time, change, flexibility, and overcoming unmet expectations requires patience and practice.