Individual Deployment Support Program

In an IA (Individual Augmentee) deployment, a service member receives orders to deploy individually or with a small group to augment a different unit or branch of service. This is different from deploying with a ship, a squadron or an entire unit. An IA can be active duty or Reserve, volunteer or be selected for deployment. Special training is required for IAs before their deployment, so they may be away from home for an extended period of time.

The Emotional Cycle of Deployment describes the emotional and behavioral changes that may occur during deployment.  Understanding this cycle and the common emotions for each stage can help service members and their families adjust to the changes they will experience during deployment.

The Fleet and Family Support Center stands ready to support service members and their families with this adjustment process by providing pre-deployment briefings and establishing and maintaining contact with the service member’s family throughout the deployment process. The Individual Deployment Support Specialist (IDSS) is a conduit to ensure that family members have a Navy point of contact to help them navigate any challenges during the IA process. IA service members can focus on the mission with the confidence that their families are being supported and taken care of by their IDSS.