The purpose of this discussion is to ask questions and share answers regarding Soldier family readiness issues facing junior military officers. I suggest there is a disproportionate amount of junior officer time dedicated to Soldier family readiness/FRG issues compared to how much lesson time is allotted to FRGs on the syllabi of BOLC, MCCC and Unit LPDs.
This is a critical for junior officers because JOs are normally in charge of planning FRG events, creating/maintaining FRG systems and even serving in key FRG positions when there is not a volunteer present.
Hopefully this discussion thread will serve as a resource for the junior leader searching for guidance and resources to help him/her approach problems and more importantly prevent problems before they occur.
The Top three things I recommend a new Junior officer considers regarding FRGs:
1. Empathy — put yourself in the shoes of the Soldiers and NCOs in your unit. Take time to imagine the pressures and issues that face Army families in your unit. (Pro Tip: This requires you to KNOW your Soldiers). Anticipate questions they have and answer as many as you can before they are asked. You can and should have both empathy and hold others accountable to the standard.
2. Have a codified, disseminated and enforced FRG Policy focusing specifically on informal funds, by name FRG position appointments, and maintaining tight in-processing and out-processing systems.
3. Train, empower and resource the FRG staff/leadership (FRG leader, Treasurer, Key callers, reliable members), keeping in mind, the FRG is the Company Commander’s program. There will be times when there is uncomfortable information to disseminate or uncomfortable decisions to make, the Company Commander should use their best judgment on what comes out of the mouth of the FRG Leader and what the Company Commander should say themselves.
Other topics of discussion within Family Readiness to prompt Q&A:
1. Family Readiness Group SOPs/Policies
a. Army Regulations / Army Policies
b. Recommended Reporting formats of FRG info to BN
c. Recommended social media guidance
d. “positional” e-mail accounts
2. Informal Funds account
– Has to be separate from any other account
– Can only “advertise” to certain population for fundraising
– EIN / Tax ID numbers for your account, could impact EFTs
– Efficient, effective and legal fundraising ideas
3. Volunteers
– Volunteer recruitment
– The importance of volunteer recognition — informal awards
– Formal Volunteer awards
– VMIS — make an account/logging hours
– Food handling training
4. FRG Meetings
– Qualities of a good FRG meeting: location, frequency, topics, slides, food
– Battle Rhythm meetings vs focus meetings driven by an event (JRTC/NTC/Deployment/holiday/other significant event good or bad)
– Newcomer recognition
– Baby recognition
– Volunteer recognition

5. FRG Leaders/Treasurers/Key callers
– Should have training and a handbook
– Do rehearsals for any callouts you expect to make while deployed
– Continuity
6. Social Media — page type, posting frequency, CDR’s Intent.
7. Deployment
a. Expectations
b. Deployment “fair” formats, layouts, tips
c. Individual family deployment readiness checklist and resources
d. Disseminate Callout triggers – rehearsals
8. Helpful Resources
– Brigade JAG / “Legal”
– Battalion and Brigade FRG Advisors (FRGs are at the company level, majority of decision making is designed to be located at Company/Battery/Troop level).
– Military Family Life Consultant (MFLIC)
– FRSA
– Family Advocacy Program (FAP)
– Virtual FRG (vFRG)
– Army Community Service (ACS)
To further prompt:
Do you have a question regarding Family Readiness on one of the topics above?
What important topic was missed?

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Can you offer a constructive vignette or learning point for a JO?