Army life means that soldiers may have to deploy away from their home and family on unaccompanied tours from time to time. This may be for an operational deployment, training or an assignment to a location that does not offer family support facilities such as health care or housing.

The first point of contact for Army personnel regarding any issues surrounding deployments is their Unit Welfare Officer.  The local Army Welfare Service team can also help. 

Service Families Accommodation (SFA)

Families of Regular Army soldiers living in Service Families Accommodation (SFA) will normally keep their house for the whole period of an unaccompanied tour. In certain circumstances, for instance during longer unaccompanied tours, families may request surplus SFA in an alternative area, for instance back in the UK. However, these may not always be available.

Family guides to deployment

The Army has produced two guides to help families prepare for periods of deployment. These are available as PDF documents on the right.

Travel for families of service personnel of servicemen on operational tours

The dependants of a married service person stationed in or mobilised from the UK but who is serving on an emergency tour of 4 months or more are entitled to 2 return journeys (by rail warrant or Motor Mileage Allowance) during each emergency tour. This is to enable them to visit their parents or parents-in-law living in the UK, or a nominated NOK (including a child at boarding school) or another close relative. This concession does not permit family members to visit other relatives or friends.

For welfare enquiries families can contact: