How did the FRG get started?

The Department of the Army implemented the Command supported Family Support Group (now Family Readiness Group) in 1987 in order to help family members cope with being separated from the soldiers during extended TDY, field problems, and deployments. It has been the hope that the FRG could be a source of support, information, and assistance to the soldiers and their families.

The Army now defines family members as not only spouses, but anyone who cares about a soldier. There are no rank requirements, or enrollment fees. The FRG is not a club, it is a group of caring individuals who have one thing in common...they love a service member, and want to be there to help other family members in times of need.

Army definition of the Family Readiness Group

"An organization of family members, volunteers and soldier/civilian employees belonging to a unit/organization that together provide and avenue of mutual support and assistance and a network of communication among family members, the chain of command and community recourses."

Basically, the FRG is made up of caring people who work together to provide accurate information pertaining to their unit or organization, and provide support where it is needed. The FRG is not just family members working together, it is also soldiers, community representatives, and the chain of command. Let's look at how each of these groups benefit from the FRG.

Family Members
FRGs foster a sense of belonging, which is one of the basic needs that human beings desire to fulfill. It provides a vehicle for families to develop friendships while they gain information and share support both during deployment, and when the soldiers are home. Through successful FRG efforts many family members feel more positively about themselves, have a better understanding of the Army Mission, and how to maintain readiness. The FRG is a unique tool that can be used to empower family members!

The soldier
Family Readiness Groups provide support- this shows caring, and a willingness to communicate openly and honestly. This allows the soldier to trust in that care, and they can therefore concentrate on the mission at hand with emotional readiness. FRG's develop a confidence in soldiers that the family members will be taken care of when they are away from home. This positively impacts the soldier, and therefore enhances his performance in the unit, which benefits the Army. Single soldiers many times feel left out, and when they are included in FRG functions, and when the FRG shows that they care for the single soldiers welfare, his/her time away from family can be more bearable.

The unit command
Working together with the unit command, the FRG can help develop independent, and resilient family members. With good support and communication, families are better able to cope and function during times of separation. When the families are trained to handle problems and issues as they arise, the chance of mission distractions decrease, which conserves the unit commanders time and resources which are needed for military purposes. Through prevention and education programs as well as family activities, the FRG can contribute to unit cohesion, and help facilitate family and soldier readiness.

As you can see, the FRG is extremely important to the Army. Through the goal of the FRG is to provide support to families, it is important to know exactly what the FRG is, and what it is NOT.

What the FRG is responsible for:
 

• Sponsor and orient new soldiers and civilian families to units or organizations
• Commanders aid in developing deployment resources, coordinating briefings and providing quality of life training to family members
• Referral source for appropriate resources relative to family needs
• Coordinating family activities

What the FRG is NOT:

• Part of the causalty notification process
• A babysitting service
• A Coffee group or club
• A surrogate parent, guardian or social worker