What is a Family Readiness Group?

A Family Readiness Group (formerly know as Family Support Group), is an organization of family members, volunteers, and soldiers belonging to a unit, that together provide information and assistance to others in the group. According to DoD website, www.myarmylifetoo.com, The Family Readiness Group (FRG) is an officially command-sponsored organization of family members, volunteers, and Soldiers belonging to a unit, that together provide an avenue of mutual support and assistance, and a network of communications among the family members, the chain of command, and community resources. FRGs help create a climate of mutual support within the unit and community. Basic FRG goals include supporting the military mission through provision of support, outreach, and information to family members.

That explains what the DoD classifies a FRG as, but what does that mean to you? A FRG is a group, usually made up of soldiers, spouses, and family members, which meet at specific times, to distribute information, to discuss support issues, to raise funds, and for friendship and community, amongst other reasons. It is a network that is formed because of its members affiliation with the unit it represents. The Army focused sharply on family readiness as a result of lessons learned during the Gulf War. On 1 June 2000, the Department of the Army renamed it Family Readiness Group to emphasize the need for readiness and self-sufficiency among Army families in the modern Army.

The FRG is:
An information conduit.
A welcoming organization.
A self-help, referral organization.
A source of social support and group activities.
A unit family dedicated to achieving social and military goals.
Source: Operation Ready FRG Handbook

Your role in a FRG depends on your relationship to the Army. If you are the family member or dependent, Unit FRGs are where you will gain information about the unit and military community. This is one of your links or contacts to the people in your Unit. If you are a Soldier, FRGs are there to provide family support, integrity of care, and foster open and honest communication.

The idea behind successful FRGs, is to enable dependents to develop a more positive attitude toward themselves and their military lifestyle. A successful FRG should also help dependents gain a better understanding of why deployments are necessary, and help them comprehend the Armys mission to maintain readiness. The goal is to foster trust and care of the soldiers family so that the soldier is ready and able to concentrate on the mission at hand, and have the emotional readiness to carry out that mission. FRGs are there to provide support of the soldiers family members so that the soldier has confidence that a reliable support system is in place, should they not be available when their family needs them.

You may have some questions come up when faced with your first connection with a FRG. Those questions include:
Who can be a part of the FRG?
Do I have to formally join?
Do I have to participate?
Why should I join?
Are meetings mandatory?
Are FRGs open to all ranks?
What kinds of activities does a FRG perform?

Who can be a part of the FRG?
Unit FRGs usually consist of all assigned and attached soldiers (married and single), their spouses, and children. However, modern day FRGs can include boyfriends and girlfriends, fiancs, friends and relatives, retired service members, or even members of the community.

Why should I join?
A FRG is a great source of information and support. It is your connection to the Unit. To put it frankly, should anything ever happen to your family or your soldier, it is very helpful to you if Command knows how and where to reach you or your emergency contact. It doesnt hurt that they can put a name with a face, and they know who they are talking to either. In the end, youll thank yourself for being involved.

Sure, there are other reasons too. Everyone has skills to offer - from creating the phone tree, to fundraising, to typing newsletters. Help your FRG become a success by staying involved. The best way to make sure the FRG meets your needs is to let people know what you want. If you dont like the way things are going, the power is in you to change it. A FRG relies on its members for direction, and its only as successful as you make it. You are the FRG. So go out and make a difference.

Are meetings mandatory?
No meetings are not mandatory, but definitely encouraged. How else do you think youre going to know whats going on? Remember, its just as much your FRG leaders responsibility to keep you informed as it is your responsibility to inform yourself. So take that into consideration the next time you want to say well, she never even called me. Ask yourself, Did I go to the meeting? Have I taken every opportunity to inform myself of what is going on? Then, if the answer is yes, call your FRG leader and make sure you are on the notification list, and explain you were missed. There is an even easier way not to be missed, volunteer as a key-caller, and become an active participant in the notification process.

Are FRGs open to all ranks?
FRGs are open to personnel of all ranks. FRGs are organized and directed by their own members.

What kinds of activities does a FRG perform?
FRG events and activities can include things from telephone trees, to open house for the Unit, family days, fundraisers, trips, fitness activities, holiday celebrations, a newsletter, workshops or classes, and even community projects. The possibilities are virtually endless, and it all depends on where your FRG decides to focus its energy.

FRG Resources:
http://www.hooah4health.com/deployment/familymatters/FSGhandbook.htm The Commanders FRG Handbook
http://www.myarmylifetoo.com
http://www.militaryonesource.com
http://www.armyfrg.org

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Tara Crooks, or Household 6″ in the Crooks family, is best known for her ability to motivate and empower others. Taras journey with the military began in 1998 when she and her husband PCSd to their first duty station, Ft Hood. She currently owns and operates two highly successful websites, http://www.ArmyWifeTalkRadio.com and http://www.AdvertisingMoms.com. Featured in Military Spouse Magazine, Stars & Stripes Newspaper, Military.com, Army.com and more, Army Wife Talk Radio is the original internet talk radio program for military wives. The tagline, Our Life, Our Family, Our Soldier, says it all. Tara does a weekly internet talk radio broadcast from the website that features up to date information, tips, and empowerment for spouses. Advertising Moms is a network of work from home business owners that Tara mentors and coaches on a daily basis.

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