Travel Checklist for Deployment Homecoming
Retrograde is the return of deployed Marines, better known as homecoming for our Marine parents, spouses, family and friends. Retrograde includes return from MEUs/floats as well as in-country deployments (overseas stations)
We're probably not going to have much notice before setting out on our journey to greet our Marines when they return stateside. A checklist to make sure you don't forget anything is a great idea. Many of these things can be prearranged to help keep the last-minute details from adding stress to your travel.
Don't forget to print out a MarineParents.com Name Tag to wear! Click for Name Tag.
Pre-Arrange the Following:
- Travel plans, base maps, phone numbers
- Car check up: oil change, tire pressure, etc.
- Get prescriptions filled early
- Mail/Newspaper delivery and/or pickup
- Pet care and/or pet boarding
- House sitter and/or house keys to the neighbors
- Inform your neighborhood watch association
Portable Office & Communications
- Important phone numbers
- Laptop computer
- Cell phone and charger
- Electrical power strip
- Extra batteries
- Camera
Medical and/or Special Care Needs
- Inform hotel and airline of any special needs
- Prescriptions
- Special care items
- Special dietary items
- Contact lens care items, spare glasses
Entertainment to Pass the Time
- Books, magazines, reading material
- Paper, pencils, crayons for the kids
- Pens, journals for the adults
- Portable games, gameboys, deck of cards
Pack Your Suitcase
- Comfortable shoes
- Comfortable clothes
- Socks, undies, pajamas, robe
- Toiletries
Items for Your Marine
(Okay, so this is the most useful tip on this page. Your Marine has stored all civilian clothes and may not have immediate access to them. If you have clothes and/or shoes for your Marine, you will get an extra hour of hugs. My son will also want a pair of contact lenses.)
- Civilian clothes and a pair of shoes
- Clean socks and undies
- Contact lenses and/or civilian glasses if you've got them
- Photos and articles from home
- 6-pack of beer (Age permitting, of course)
