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(Note: The content of this information center changes based on which area of the web site you are navigating.)

Quotes from Parents:
Thanks for this web site. I'm no less worried, but a lot less alone. Thank you.
From Deb, Marine Mom to Noah of Somers, CT during OIF 2003

Deployment: Main Topics

Quotes from Parents:
I know there is a 2nd deployment coming up, and I will be here...knowing this is my greatest support and family that I could ever want and need. Always in prayer, Hand in Hand.
Sara, Marine Mom in Port Angeles, WA, April, 2005", csscurr : 'curr0', cssover : 'curr0', border : { width : 2, color : '#E1DFAF' }, width : 70, height : 26 }, { text : "Connect & Share™", hint : "MarineParents.com, a Place to Connect & Share™ offers opportunities to communicate online with other parents, spouses, family and friends of our deployed Marines.

Chat Room
Visit the chat room in the evenings to talk with other folks who have a deployed Marine. For more information and the chat room schedule, click here.

Message Boards
The links below take you to topic-specific areas of the message board community:

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These deployment guides are free for you to download or read online. To download, right click on the file name and choose 'save as' to save it to your computer.

Finding your Marine's Unit:
To learn more about your Marine's Unit or Battalion, use our Unit Information Pages. The Unit Information Page (UIP) includes links to the unit's official USMC web pages, phone numbers for contact information, and links to the message board community specific to that unit. This is an important page for you to 'bookmark' and share with other family members and friends.
Click to search for UIP
", csscurr : 'curr0', cssover : 'curr0', border : { width : 2, color : "#a00000" }, width : 70, height : 26 }, { text : "Terms & Definitions", hint : "We have learned that our Marines speak a different language. To help you learn more, we offer the following 'deployment' terminology:

Deployment
Temporarily moved from the permanent duty station, generally to an overseas location or on a ship.
Duty Station
Shortened version of Permanent Duty Station
Float
Deployment on a ship
In Country
Terminology used to refer to the status of a Marine that is deployed. To say the Marine is 'In Country' typically means that he is not in the United States. 'In Country' can refer to any location other than the U.S., whether a combat zone or not.
Permanent Duty Station (PDS)
The base your Marine is stationed when not on deployment; the primary base or installation for his battalion or unit.
RBE: Remain Behind Element
The RBE, or Remain Behind Element, is a small number of Marines from the deployed unit that stay at the permanent duty station of the deploying Marines. The RBE functions include communications with family members and maintaining the unit's affairs at their main base.
Advance Party
The Advance Party is generally a small number of Marines from the deploying unit that arrive 'in country' prior to the majority of the battalion. The Advance Party functions as the element to prepare arrival for the rest of the battalion.
Rear Party
The Rear Party is generally a small number of Marines that stay 'in country' for a longer period of time than the majority of the battalion. The Rear Party functions as the element to finalize the location after the battalion departs.
FRO: Family Readiness Officer
The FRO, or Family Readiness Officer, is the primary source for information for the parents of a deployed Marine. The FRO is a Marine from the deployed battalion that stays behind at the Permanent Duty Station (PDS) to manage the affairs of the rest of the deployed battalion. The FRO will also keep the parents informed of battalion activities during deployments via a hotline number and frequently, but not always, a direct phone line to the FRO's office.
KVN: Key Volunteer Network
The Key Volunteer Network, or KVN, is a service offered by the USMC. The purpose of the KV Network is to provide the spouses of deployed Marines and Sailors a support system and means of communicating the available assets and services during any period of deployment. The spouses can also use the network to seek assistance for personal problems and questions concerning their Marine or Sailor. The first call by a spouse is to the primary Key Volunteer (KV). This allows for the fastest means of problem solving as it works it way up the KVN chain for resolution.
KV: Key Volunteer
A KV, or Key Volunteer, is a volunteer member of the KVN. A KV is assigned to a particular company and/or platoon to serve as a communications link between the command and unit spouses. Most KVs are stationed at or near the PDS and attend regular meetings with the unit FRO to stay informed of the battalion's acitivities during deployment. The KV then relays information via phone calls and/or emails to the other spouses. As the spouse of a deployed Marine, you should be given a KV for contact during your Marine's deployment.

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