Support Groups for Families of Deployed Soldiers?

Question

My little brother is about to get deployed to Afghanistan. The Army is GREAT about offering support resources to parents and spouses, but I don't think they remember that siblings harbour just as much worry and strife through the process. How can I find a support group in my local area that might help me through this process? Any suggestions about keeping in touch with him while he's away?

Answer 1

go to your local township or church and find out if there are any groups for you. you may event try the local army recruitment center or his own unit and find out if they have any support groups and explain to them who you are and that you need people your age to talk to that are going thru the same thing.
As far as keeping in touch, find out from your parents or the army's office where your brother is usually stationed and find out the address in afganistan and write letters to him or send him a phone card to have him call you. another idea would be to send him a video or tape of you and you family so maybe at some point he can watch it or hear it. i know at some point they may be able see movies cuz i help send care packages to the troops in afganistan and iraq. send some of his favorite magazines, books, deck of cards. let him know you are thinking about him.

my prayers and good wishes are with you and your family. you should be very proud of your brother! Thank your brother when you see or hear from him for protecting our home.

Answer 2

I'd suggest you try on-line support too. You might try Yahoo Groups or MySpace groups or anyplace else you network. Look for groups from the base he's deploying out of, or the branch of service or for the state you're in. There are also on-line communities at http://www.cinchouse.com/ and http://www.military.com/Community/Home/1,14700,GENERAL,00.html. A lot of the groups will say they're for spouse support but if you ask they may be willing to add a sibling. I know a few I'm active on have parents so I can't see them saying no. But you'll never know unless you ask.

Also, if your brother has listed you on his paperwork as a contact for the ombudsman/first shirt you may be able to attend some of the Family Readiness Group meetings so that could be another option.