The deployment process begins when the United States Armed Forces Service Members leave their normal duty area and their families to serve in another, temporary area. This temporary service area may be in the United States or overseas. Deployment does not necessarily mean a Service Member will be involved in combat, although this is sometimes the case.

The deployment process differs for Active Duty Members and Reserve or National Guard Service Members. Active Duty Soldiers are always mobilized, or in other words, prepared for deployment. Reserve and National Guard Soldiers must go through a mobilization process. This process brings Reserve/National Guard Members to Active Duty for purposes other than training.

Just like the Service Member, the family goes through a transformation. The spouse now has to fulfill several rolls; head of the household, the mechanic, father, mother, maid and all at times with very little support. To learn more about the deployment process from start to finish, view the links within this page.