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Families / deployment

Keeping in Touch

Deployments are exciting opportunities for our personnel to travel and experience new things – but they can also put strain on life at home. That’s why we actively encourage regular communication with loved ones, both to maintain a healthy relationship and to boost morale.

Maintaining your relationships

If you have a loved one away on deployment, being able to stay in contact with them is really important. You can also find it easier to cope with time apart by connecting with other members of the Service community in the Royal Navy Forum, your safe online environment to stay Informed, Involved and InTouch.

Two sailors on boat looking to shore with back to camera, one waving hat

Methods of communication

There are lots of different ways to contact our deployed units, from emails and phone calls, to post. Take a look and choose option that’s right for you.

Many units now have Wi-fi, so Facebook, FaceTime, WhatsApp and Instagram can be used on deployment. As with all types of communication, you must be careful what is discussed due to security. 

Interested? Learn more about the Royal Navy Social Media guidelines.

What to do in an emergency

Family Members

If circumstances should arise, such as a death in the family or a serious illness, that make it necessary for your serving person to return from overseas you should contact:

• The Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre (JCCC) on 01452 519 951 if the Service person is based overseas.

This service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

If you should need advice, guidance, or support on any other matters call the RN FPS Portal on 0800 145 6088.

Serving personnel

If you’re away on deployment and need to get an urgent message home, you can arrange this by contacting your divisional officer, who will be able to guide you.

Your unit Commanding Officer can grant you compassionate leave if there is a requirement for you to go home. 

In an emergency any decisions will be carried out in conjunction with the Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre (JCCC) who will decide if you are entitled to travel at public expense.

If it isn’t an emergency your divisional officer may ask you to contact the Royal Navy Family and People Support Portal for support on 0800 145 6088.

Contact an Officer of the Watch

Please call the Royal Navy Family and People Support (RN FPS) Portal on 02392 728 777 or Freephone 0800 145 6088 if the Service person is based in the UK.

Lines are open 8:00am-4:00pm Monday to Thursday and 8:00am-3:30pm Friday.

Outside of these hours, the RN FPS Duty Worker can be contacted via the Officer of the Watch, contact details are below:

  • Portsmouth: 02392 723 875
  • Plymouth: 01752 555 220
  • Faslane: 01436 674 321 ex 4005
  • Yeovilton: 01935 455 444

Join the Forum

Stay informed, involved and in touch — and get support from our organisations and charities.

We’ll help you understand and navigate this unique way of life in a safe and secure environment.

Register for the royal navy forum