WHAT MILITARY FAMILIES SHOULD DO NOW TO PREPARE FOR WAR & DEPLOYMENT SURGES

Whatever push notifications you subscribe to, the second your eyes scan your screen, you’re likely to see a spoiler alert. From who won the gold medal before you’ve had a chance to watch the event, to a news notification that reads something like, “U.S. has started war with Iran.”

Panic, fear, or shock-and-awe are likely instinctive reactions to big pieces of information that pop up suddenly, when you were least prepared to hear them. Maybe nothing official has changed; no orders, no command alerts, or official notices. But you know in your gut something feels different. You start running through mental checklists you didn’t realize you were carrying.

Do we have copies of everything important?

If we lost communication, who would I contact first?

Would the kids hear about this at school tomorrow?

Military life revolves around uncertainty, but when instability rises overseas, families notice it in routines, conversations, and the invisible tension at home.

Preparedness is more important than ever. Shielding our children from the news is no longer possible. Direct, sometimes difficult, conversations are now the norm. Without preparation, it’s harder to know how to respond when the moment comes.

This article will provide a short, and certainly not all-inclusive, look at the things military families should be considering with war looming. It’s easy to get complacent, but now is not that time. In fact, for military families, it’s never that time.

Start With the 72-Hour Rule: Every Family Needs a Baseline Plan

Federal emergency guidance is consistent that every household should be able to function independently for at least 72 hours during a major disruption. Not because war is inevitable, but disruption from cyber events, natural disasters, or infrastructure failures is always possible.

The Department of Homeland Security recommends two foundational steps:

Build an emergency kit + Create a family communication plan

For military families, your 72-hour kit should include:

• Three days of water (one gallon per person per day)
• Shelf-stable food
• Prescription medications
• Copies of IDs, orders, insurance, and TRICARE information
• Emergency cash
• Phone chargers and backup power banks
• Pet supplies
• A printed list of emergency contacts

While this won’t be the most exciting kit you’ll put together, it is critically important.

It can feel tedious and overwhelming, but when something changes unexpectedly, this kind of preparation turns panic into procedure.

Don’t put it off for some other time. Do it as soon as you can, and feel prepared and proud knowing that you checked this box.

Know Your Installation Alert System Before You Need It

Civilian families rely on city emergency alerts. Military families rely on installation notification systems, and enrollment isn’t always automatic. Depending on your duty station, these systems may be called:

• AtHoc
• Giant Voice
• Mass Notification Systems

They issue live alerts about:

• Base lockdowns
• Shelter-in-place orders
• Security threats
• Evacuations
• Severe weather

Installation resources and contact information: https://installations.militaryonesource.mil

If you’ve recently PCS’d, confirming enrollment should be at the top of your list. Five minutes today can have a significant impact later.

If Your Service Member Is Deployed: Know How to Reach Them

In a verified family emergency, calling a unit directly is not the formal process.

The American Red Cross Hero Care Network provides official emergency communication to deployed service members worldwide. The service operates 24 hours a day. Use this for situations such as:

• Serious illness or death in the immediate family
• Birth complications
• Critical medical emergencies

Knowing this pathway in advance removes uncertainty during already difficult moments.

Modern Conflict Can Also Mean Digital Disruption

Today, preparedness must also include readiness for digital disruptions. This means families should know how to protect their online accounts, safeguard their personal data, and have backup plans in place if their usual communication channels fail. Cyber activity can affect financial systems, communications, and infrastructure.

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency recommends households:

• Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA)

• Use strong, distinct passwords

• Save and back up crucial documents

• Establish a communication fallback plan

Being digitally prepared by protecting devices, backing up files, and having communication alternatives is now an essential part of keeping your family ready for any emergency.

Do Not Disable Emergency Alerts: How They Work

Wireless Emergency Alerts send location-based warnings directly to mobile phones during emergencies. They do not require downloads or subscriptions and cannot be replaced by social media updates.

Families should ensure:

• Emergency alerts are enabled
• Alert settings are not silenced
• Household members recognize the alert tone

Clear information helps prevent confusion when seconds matter.

For OCONUS Families: Register Before a Crisis Hits

Military families stationed overseas face additional threats during periods of international instability. The U.S. Department of State encourages Americans abroad to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP).

Enrollment allows U.S. embassies to send security updates and provide assistance during emergencies. Registration takes only a few minutes and can significantly improve communication if conditions change quickly.

How to Talk to Your Military Child About Wartime Without Causing Fear

War is something no parent wants to explain to their child. The most difficult part for many families isn’t explaining the logistics of the mounting tensions. It’s the questions children ask.

Military children grow up hearing terms such as 'deployment' and 'mission' earlier than most of their peers. What matters most isn’t providing every detail. It’s how adults respond.

Military OneSource advises focusing on providing reassurance, honesty, and stability. Experts recommend parents start by listening.

• Ask what they’ve heard
• Keep answers simple and age-appropriate
• Avoid graphic details
• Emphasize routine and safety

The American Academy of Pediatrics also recommends limiting repeated exposure to distressing news coverage. Children take emotional cues from adults, making calm preparations and effective communication about safety more powerful than any explanation you can give them.

What Prepared Really Means for Military Families

Preparedness isn’t about predicting the future or having everything perfectly in place. For military families, it’s about reducing unknowns. This preparation is something you hope never to need, but will be grateful for if you do.

Military family readiness means:

• You know how alerts will reach you.
• You know how to contact a deployed spouse.
• You have at least 72 hours of stability at home.
• You rely on verified information, not rumors.
• You can continue using essential accounts if systems are disrupted.

Military life already carries enough uncertainty; preparation restores your control and steadies you in sudden situations that are out of your control.

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