Family Readiness Group (US Army)
Encyclopedia
Within the United States Army
, the United States Army Reserve
, and the Army National Guard
communities, a Family Readiness Group (FRG) is a command-sponsored organization of family members, volunteers, soldiers and civilian employees associated with a particular unit. They are normally organized at company
and battalion
levels, and fall under the responsibility of the unit's
commanding officer
.
FRG's are established to provide activities and support to enhance the flow of information, increase the resiliency of unit soldiers and their families, provide practical tools for adjusting to military deployments
and separations, and enhance the well-being and esprit de corps within the unit. The activities emphasized will vary depending on whether the unit is in pre/post deployment, deployed, or in a training/sustainment period at home station. Since one of the goals of an FRG is to support the military mission through provision of support, outreach, and information to family members, certain FRG activities are essential and common to all groups, and include member meetings, staff and committee meetings, publication and distribution of newsletters, maintenance of virtual FRG websites, maintenance of updated rosters and readiness information, and member telephone trees and e-mail distribution lists.
Ideally, all Army units
, both active
and reserve, sponsor FRGs as an avenue of mutual support and assistance, and as a network of communications among the family members, the chain of command, chain of concern, and community resources. The FRG also provides feedback to the command on the state of the unit "family" and is considered a unit commander’s
program.
Historically, FRGs developed out of military family support groups as well as less formal officer and enlisted wives clubs, telephone and social rosters, volunteer groups, and clubs. Modern FRGs are a fully defined and officially supported function within the U.S. Army, and include men, women, and children from throughout the military community.
Of note with regard to classes and workshops, Army Community Service has programs and services that can provide support and subject matter experts to educate family members on a variety of subjects: i.e. military benefits, prenatal care, preparing for deployments, family services, Operation READY training, Army Family Team Building, coping with stress, reunion, homecoming, reintegration, deployment cycle support, etc. Of note with regard to unit send-offs and homecoming activities, these events are garrison
funded, and should not be funded with monies designated for FRGs, which are primarily raised by non-profit fundraising efforts.
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
, the United States Army Reserve
United States Army Reserve
The United States Army Reserve is the federal reserve force of the United States Army. Together, the Army Reserve and the Army National Guard constitute the reserve components of the United States Army....
, and the Army National Guard
Army National Guard
Established under Title 10 and Title 32 of the U.S. Code, the Army National Guard is part of the National Guard and is divided up into subordinate units stationed in each of the 50 states, three territories and the District of Columbia operating under their respective governors...
communities, a Family Readiness Group (FRG) is a command-sponsored organization of family members, volunteers, soldiers and civilian employees associated with a particular unit. They are normally organized at company
Company (military unit)
A company is a military unit, typically consisting of 80–225 soldiers and usually commanded by a Captain, Major or Commandant. Most companies are formed of three to five platoons although the exact number may vary by country, unit type, and structure...
and battalion
Battalion
A battalion is a military unit of around 300–1,200 soldiers usually consisting of between two and seven companies and typically commanded by either a Lieutenant Colonel or a Colonel...
levels, and fall under the responsibility of the unit's
Military organization
Military organization is the structuring of the armed forces of a state so as to offer military capability required by the national defence policy. In some countries paramilitary forces are included in a nation's armed forces...
commanding officer
Commanding officer
The commanding officer is the officer in command of a military unit. Typically, the commanding officer has ultimate authority over the unit, and is usually given wide latitude to run the unit as he sees fit, within the bounds of military law...
.
FRG's are established to provide activities and support to enhance the flow of information, increase the resiliency of unit soldiers and their families, provide practical tools for adjusting to military deployments
Military deployment
Military deployment is the movement of armed forces and their logistical support infrastructure around the world.-United States:The United States Military defines the term as follows:...
and separations, and enhance the well-being and esprit de corps within the unit. The activities emphasized will vary depending on whether the unit is in pre/post deployment, deployed, or in a training/sustainment period at home station. Since one of the goals of an FRG is to support the military mission through provision of support, outreach, and information to family members, certain FRG activities are essential and common to all groups, and include member meetings, staff and committee meetings, publication and distribution of newsletters, maintenance of virtual FRG websites, maintenance of updated rosters and readiness information, and member telephone trees and e-mail distribution lists.
Ideally, all Army units
Military organization
Military organization is the structuring of the armed forces of a state so as to offer military capability required by the national defence policy. In some countries paramilitary forces are included in a nation's armed forces...
, both active
Active duty
Active duty refers to a full-time occupation as part of a military force, as opposed to reserve duty.-Pakistan:The Pakistan Armed Forces are one of the largest active service forces in the world with almost 610,000 full time personnel due to the complex and volatile nature of Pakistan's...
and reserve, sponsor FRGs as an avenue of mutual support and assistance, and as a network of communications among the family members, the chain of command, chain of concern, and community resources. The FRG also provides feedback to the command on the state of the unit "family" and is considered a unit commander’s
Commanding officer
The commanding officer is the officer in command of a military unit. Typically, the commanding officer has ultimate authority over the unit, and is usually given wide latitude to run the unit as he sees fit, within the bounds of military law...
program.
Historically, FRGs developed out of military family support groups as well as less formal officer and enlisted wives clubs, telephone and social rosters, volunteer groups, and clubs. Modern FRGs are a fully defined and officially supported function within the U.S. Army, and include men, women, and children from throughout the military community.
FRG Mission
- Foster competent, knowledgeable, and resilient families.
- Act as an extension of the unit in providing official, accurate command information.
- Provide mutual support.
- Build Soldier and family cohesion and foster a positive outlook.
- Advocate more efficient use of community resources.
- Help families solve problems at the lowest level.
- Reduce stress and promote Soldier and family readiness.
- Contribute to the well-being and esprit de corps of the unit.
FRG Goals
- Gaining necessary family support during deployments.
- Preparing for deployments and redeployments.
- Helping families adjust to military life and cope with deployments.
- Developing open and honest channels of communication between the command and family members.
- Promoting confidence, cohesion, commitment, and a sense of well-being among the unit’s Soldiers.
FRG Activities
Some activities that FRGs commonly sponsor coordinate, or participate in that directly or indirectly foster unit family readiness goals include (but are not limited to):- Classes and workshops.
- Volunteer recognition.
- Unit send-off and welcome home activities.
- FRG member, staff or committee meetings.
- Newcomer orientation and sponsorship.
Of note with regard to classes and workshops, Army Community Service has programs and services that can provide support and subject matter experts to educate family members on a variety of subjects: i.e. military benefits, prenatal care, preparing for deployments, family services, Operation READY training, Army Family Team Building, coping with stress, reunion, homecoming, reintegration, deployment cycle support, etc. Of note with regard to unit send-offs and homecoming activities, these events are garrison
Garrison
Garrison is the collective term for a body of troops stationed in a particular location, originally to guard it, but now often simply using it as a home base....
funded, and should not be funded with monies designated for FRGs, which are primarily raised by non-profit fundraising efforts.
See also
- Morale, Welfare and RecreationMorale, Welfare and RecreationMorale, Welfare and Recreation, abbreviated MWR, is a network of support and leisure services designed for use by soldiers , their families, civilian employees, military retirees and other eligible participants....
- United States Marine Corps Wounded Warrior RegimentUnited States Marine Corps Wounded Warrior RegimentThe Wounded Warrior Regiment is a United States Marine Corps command that provides and facilitates non-medical care to combat and non-combat wounded, ill and injured Marines and Sailors attached to or in direct support of Marine units and their family members in order to assist them as they return...