The Military Spouses Checklist

A military spouse should be prepared for deployment/separation at all times. If you answer "no" to any of these questions, you and your spouse should make an immediate effort to obtain the items/information that you may need.

• Do I know my sponsor's SSN and personal information?
• Do I have a current Military ID card?
• Are all members of my family enrolled in DEERS?
• Do I have a current Power of Attorney and at least one notarized copy?
• Do I have notarized copies of our marriage and birth certificates?
• Do my spouse and I have Wills? Do our families have copies?
• Do I have a safe place to keep duplicates of important papers?
• Is my vehicle registration, inspection and proof of insurance up to date?
• Is my vehicle registered on post?
• Do I know how to make payments on my vehicle?
• Do I have duplicate keys to my house and vehicle in a safe place?
• Do I know how to get maintenance done on my vehicle?
• Are all members of my family currently enrolled in Tri-Care?
• Are all of our immunizations up to date?
• Do I know how to get routine and emergency medical care?
• Do I have access to a means of support and to all bank accounts?
• Do I know what bills must be paid monthly and how to pay them?
• Do I know who provides my telephone service, water, gas and electricity?
• Do I know who to contact if I need help with the services listed above?
• If I live off post, do I know who my landlord is and how to contact them?
• Do I know how to read an LES and how to obtain a copy?
• Do I know where our tax records are and how to file future returns?
• Are my rental, health, automobile and dental insurance up to date?
• Do I know how to file a claim with my insurance companies?
• Do I know how to file a claim through the military for damaged goods?
• Are there any other services that I may need?
• The local Red Cross phone number is: __________________
• My emergency contact from the unit is: _________________
• My husband's work number is: ________________________
• My emergency childcare provider is: ____________________