The Deployment Readiness Education for Service women app gives service women a one-stop resource for some of the most common questions and concerns before, during, and after deployment.
The app, developed through collaborative efforts from the Women and Infant Clinical Community, and based upon research by the Navy's Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, Office of Women's Health, provides health information relevant to the unique circumstances women.
"This app is the result several years of research, and from collaboration among the services and women's health subject matter experts," said Navy Capt. (Dr.) Shannon Lamb, chief medical officer, National Capital Region. "The project began as a handbook that was a part of the Female Force Readiness Strategy for the Navy and Marine Corps, and has evolved into an easily accessible app with information relevant to all military branches."
This DRES app covers topics like menstrual management, injury prevention, intimate partner violence, returning to duty postpartum, and family planning.
"Topics like mental health, nutrition, communicating with family while on deployment, and reintegration after deployment are also included in the app," said Lamb. "While the app was designed to provide education for servicewomen's healthcare needs, the app is a great resource for male and non-binary service members as well."
Some of the resources the app covers include topics that affect all service members.
Topics like deployment checklists, TRICARE navigation tips, mental health resources, and how to report a sexual assault are also included in DRES. The app provides a great resource for leaders who want to help promote the health and readiness for their female service members.
DRES is a progressive web app which means instead of visiting an app store, users can find the free web app at mobile.health.mil/dres. After downloading the app to a desktop or smart device, an internet connection is not necessary to access app content.