AEF rotation hits deployment Phase 2 Published July 1, 2007 By 379th AEW Public Affairs 379th Air Expeditionary Wing SOUTHWEST ASIA -- Most of us recall arriving on base last month, ready to hit the ground running hard with the challenge of a new assignment. Many Airmen were ready for action; some were a little afraid of the unknown. According to the 379th Expeditionary Medical Group Mental Health Clinic, these reactions are part of the first of four general phases that help explain recognizable patterns that occur throughout deployment rotations. Understanding these general phases may help Airmen cope with their deployment and avoid potential work or personal pitfalls. The first phase is called emotional disorganization. People typically tread carefully, feel out their coworkers and watch how they perform their jobs. "Basically the first phase is when people are just arriving here, it's new for them and they're just feeling it out a little bit," said Master Sgt. Lisa Ware, 379th EMDG mental health technician and Queens, N.Y. native. While no official study has taken place, permanent party members are the first to notice that the same phases occur over and over during each rotation. Sergeant Ware said that phase two is the recovery and stabilization phase. This phase corresponds to both social- and work-related activities. During this time, Airmen find their rhythm, and time starts going by quickly. People also form social networks and friendships as they endure the stresses of deployment and being away from family together. "Basically, people are saying, 'Oh, this is where I am, this is what's going on,'" Sergeant Ware said, who is deployed from Keesler Air Force Base, Miss. "This is when people are a little bit more functional. They may start getting involved in their social networks. Basically, they're just getting their jobs done, they start to know what's expected of them." In this phase, Airmen have already settled into their jobs, and they start to notice that nobody does the work like they do, or how their home base does it, Sergeant Ware said. This realization may lead some Airmen into "Phase 3" - the conflict-in-the-workplace stage. Sergeant Ware said usually by the middle of the rotation there can be a sense of familiarity that breeds contempt as people start to get frustrated with co-workers they spend nearly all their time with. "I call this 'the newness has worn off' phase," Sergeant Ware said. "This is usually right around the middle of the rotation, when people get frustrated with their coworkers. Basically, at this point, there's so much familiarity with each other, and so a lot of little things that would not normally bother someone now becomes an explosive problem. It can make it more challenging for individuals to get along." The master sergeant said that this phase may affect each Airman differently. "It's different for different people," she said, "because not everyone is going to experience it to the same degree. This is not so abnormal or unusual when these types of things occur." "It's all normal, regardless of whom it is, but for some of us, it may be a little easier to say 'I realize what's going on with me. I just need to take a step back or take a little bit more time to myself,'" Sergeant Ware said. "Not everyone's going to be able to do that or be aware of it." During this phase, inappropriate relationships may form, and there is the temptation to ignore what's going on at home. There can also be an increased sense of boldness displayed by some individuals. "Phase 4" is characterized by Airmen obsessing with how many days they have left in the desert. The number of days left sometimes correlates with the number of mental miscues Airmen have as they dream of greener grasses back home. "I call it 'the countdown begins' phase," Sergeant Ware said. "Individuals begin to obsess about their time left: 'Oh, I have exactly seven days, five hours, seven minutes and six seconds left before I get on the airplane,'" Sergeant Ware said. "A lot of people will start losing their focus. They'll start forgetting there are things that still need to be taken care of or forgetting the mission still needs to be accomplished. One way to rectify that particular issue is to try to keep focused and sometimes even that will make the time go faster." Keeping these phases in mind can help members of the Desert Eagle Team prepare for the rest of their deployment and help them cope a little better with being away from friends and family for months at a time.