BAUMHOLDER, Germany - Long deployments away from loved ones create a lot of changes. To help the community handle the many changes the redeployment will bring Army Community Service's Family Advocacy Program hosted an information fair called "What to expect when expecting your spouse" March 31 and April 1 in coordination with a variety of community organizations at the Rheinlander Convention Center.

Family members had the option of attending any of several briefings or visiting one of the many information tables set up by participating agencies.

"The focus of the event is on change, how spouses react to that change and how they can help prepare themselves for the other changes," said Gizzy Gray, Family Advocacy program manager.

The Medical Command played a large role in the fair providing information on topics such as preventing post-deployment pregnancies, understanding sleep issues and Tricare.

"I think it is very good if the spouses actually come out to pick up the information. It is a lot to take in especially if it is a spouse's first deployment and if this is the spouse's first duty station," said Christina Herzer, family member.

The Arts and Craft Center; ACS programs; Family, Morale, Welfare and Recreation activities; Child, Youth and School Services; the library; Army Substance Abuse Program; security; and the Rolling Hills Golf Course were some of the agencies represented at the fair.

"I think it is a great opportunity for people to see exactly what is available for different needs. This lets you pick and choose what applies to you, what you are interested in and whether or not you want to pursue it if you want more information. It is a one-stop shop," said Dan Furlano, deployment and mobilization manager.

"Really it is an avenue to give community organizations an opportunity to interact with the spouses, really pay attention that change is happening, and let's face it head on and try to prevent any of the stress. It is Family Advocacy's role to identify the changes of stressors and try to reduce some of it. Our main focus is to get the message out to remember we are here to help you. The transition can be difficult and we know that," said Gray.

Cheryl Sowell, Family Advocacy program manager pointed out the value this event has for people entering the community.

"It will be helpful for people coming into the community. We are going to have a big transition when they come back from the deployment, so with new people coming in, it will be a place that they can get the information that will serve them as well," said Sowell.

The information fair offered two briefings, led by Furlano, called "Battlemind." It is training for the Soldiers, but Furlano taught it to the spouses so they can better understand their Soldier.

"Battlemind is a particular mental framework that people get into when they are in a combat zone when they are deployed for a long period of time that is similar to the commitments you would encounter here since you are separated for a year.

"And it is obviously complicated by the stressors of being in a combat zone and the stressors on this end. It is not like you are on a business trip where you can pick up the phone and ask your spouse a couple of questions. Battlemind is a very positive and a very necessary mental framework that focuses on a Soldier's strength and adaptability," added Furlano.

"As far as Battlemind went, there was a lot I wasn't sure of, and now I am more prepared for. The stress of deployment is different from the stress of redeployment," said Herzer.

"The problem is when the Soldier comes home and doesn't transition out of the Battlemind it can then become a handicap rather than a multiplier. So we want to talk about it so families know this is why my Soldier is affected by certain things," said Furlano.

There are many hard elements to transitioning, and it varies too much to say there is one part that Soldiers, families and friends have the most trouble with, but when asked, Furlano said, "I suppose that is an individual issue. I think it is about managing our expectations. Everyone has their own set of expectations.

"To get all of those synchronized and on the same sheet so that they are realistic and don't end up being something that causes disappointment is always a challenge. This is no exception by any means."

"I think this is a great thing to have," said Spc. Brandon Murphy, Delta Detachment, Finance Management Company.

"There is a lot of useful information here. It is good to have this just before the redeployment because it will help the families with the transition. I think it would be a good idea to have another one of these in a few months to help families with the needs they have then also," she said.

"The hardest part of redeployment for me is the transition. Everything changes," said Gray, adding that it takes a major adjustment in lifestyle," added Murphy.

"We are doing mass marketing. We are going to get the message out there because we think it is that important and we are going to be out there in the community letting them know we are here for them," said Sowell.

"We were able to provide helpful information on Subversion And Espionage Directed Against the Army for the community members of deployed Soldiers," explained Manuel Melendez, security specialist and David May, 66th Military Intelligence special agent.

It is important for the spouses to know what they should and should not say in public areas and how to report suspicious activities, the two men stressed.

"What to expect when expecting your spouse" reached many community members in many different ways. The successful turnout showed the word got out and a large portion of the community now knows what is available to them and where to go for help if needed.