|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
 |
 |
||
|
 |
Definition: The FRG is an organization of family members, soldiers/airmen, volunteers, and other interested individuals associated with a unit. The FRG membership includes soldiers’ families (both immediate and extended family such, as parents, aunts and uncles, etc.) and soldiers, as well as others interested in the well being of the soldier (e.g., fiancées/fiancés, friends, retirees, and community members.
The FRG's goal is to establish a network that enables family members to effectively gather information, resolve problems, and maintain mutual support, there by reducing stress associated with military separations. The FRG is a resource that fosters self-reliance. The FRG’s objectives will be essentially the same during peacetime and mobilization, although the need for a FRG is greater during deployment.
One of the keys to having a successful family readiness program is to have activities, programs, and projects that interest and benefit the family members of the unit. A program needs to be enticing enough to families, and perceived as worthwhile, so they will routinely choose to attend a function. To be successful, the commander must emphasize the importance of the FRG to individuals and unit readiness.
Unit volunteers may choose topics and tasks such as: telephone tree, newsletter, sponsorship program for family members, activity planning and training, promoting awareness of family assistance such as DEERS enrollment, ID cards, mobilization preparedness, health benefits, financial assistance, community resource directory, and retiree benefits. FRGs could invite guest speaker to meetings on subjects such as home security, self-defense, time management, effective parenting, eldercare issues and financial planning.
The FRG operations are an integral part of the unit retention and recruitment program. Remember: The military recruits members but retains families.
|
||
|
||||
 |
 |
 |
||
 |
 |
 |
