The U.S. military buildup in the Middle East is now the largest since the 2003 invasion of Iraq. Two carrier strike groups, more than 120 aircraft, guided-missile destroyers, submarines and air defense systems have been positioned within striking distance of Iran. President Trump said this week that Iran has 10 to 15 days to reach a deal on its nuclear program, and several units already in the region have had their deployment orders extended.
Whether this ends in diplomacy or escalation, the message for military families is the same: Now is the time to make sure your house is in order. Here is what you should be doing this week.
Review Your SGLI Coverage
Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance automatically covers active-duty members at the maximum of $500,000. But “automatically” doesn’t mean “correctly.” If you’ve had a life change since your last review of coverage -- marriage, divorce, birth of a child -- your beneficiary designations may be outdated.
Log into the SGLI Online Enrollment System through milConnect and verify that your beneficiaries are current. This is a separate action from updating your DD Form 93, your Record of Emergency Data. Both need to match your intentions, and both need to be current. SGLI costs $31 a month at max coverage. If you previously reduced or declined coverage, this is the time to reconsider.
Read More: Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance: What You Need to Know
Update Your Record of Emergency Data
Your DD Form 93 tells the military who to notify and where to send your remains if the worst happens. It also designates who receives your unpaid pay and allowances, and names the person authorized to direct your disposition. This form does not automatically sync with your SGLI beneficiaries. They are separate documents that serve separate purposes. If you haven’t touched yours since basic training, fix that today.
Get Your Family Care Plan Current
Single parents, dual-military couples, and anyone with dependents who can’t care for themselves need a current Family Care Plan on file with their unit. This includes a signed special power of attorney designating a guardian; current ID cards and DEERS enrollment for all dependents; and financial arrangements to support your family during separation.
Even if you’re married with a civilian spouse, consider whether they have what they need to handle legal, financial, and medical decisions in your absence. A general or special power of attorney, prepared through your installation’s legal assistance office, can prevent headaches ranging from car registrations to mortgage paperwork to enrolling kids in a new school.
Read More: Military Troops and Retirees: Here's the First Financial Step to Take in 2026
Know What Deployment Triggers
CNN reported this week that several military units deployed to the Middle East that were scheduled to rotate home have had their orders extended. Extension orders can come with little notice. If you’re currently in CENTCOM’s area of responsibility or attached to a unit with a contingency mission tied to the region, understand that timelines can shift fast.
For Guard and reserve members, an escalation could activate involuntary mobilization authority. If you have a civilian employer, now is a good time to review your rights under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act. Your employer is required by law to hold your job, but advance communication can prevent problems on the back end.
Talk to Your Family
The practical steps matter. But for many families, the harder conversation is the one that happens across the kitchen table. Children pick up on tension in the news. Spouses who have been through deployment before know the signs. Spouses who haven’t may be blindsided by how quickly things move once orders come down.
Military OneSource offers free, confidential counseling and can connect families with installation resources including Military and Family Support Centers, financial counselors and chaplain services. The number is 800-342-9647, available 24/7.
Nobody knows yet whether the current buildup will result in a strike, a deal or a prolonged standoff. What you can control is whether your family is ready for any of those outcomes.
Stay on Top of Your Military Benefits
Military benefits are always changing. Keep up with everything from pay to health care by subscribing to Military.com, and get access to up-to-date pay charts and more with all latest benefits delivered straight to your inbox.
