How can the Reserve Components better serve families of deployed soldiers?

WO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 05 Mar 2016 16:25:40 -0500

I believe the FRG's of Reserve Components are often underfunded or unable to adequately care for or assist families of deployed soldiers. How can we, as leaders, do more to aid the FRG in its mission while we are downrange executing ours? I'm interested in others experiences from fundraising ideas to increasing family engagement. Any and all advice or experience is appreciated.

Response by COL Jon Thompson made Mar 5 at 2016 5:21 PM

COL Jon Thompson — Sat, 05 Mar 2016 17:21:00 -0500

I think a major issue with FRGs in USAR units is that since the members are not co-located like on a post, there is not the same need of an FRG. With an active duty unit, the chances are pretty high that Soldiers and families are not from around that area so they don't have the same network where they live. Thus, FRGs are more necessary and I think families will be more likely to be involved (although not all will). In RC units, families will usually have better networks, often with extended families. I think a RC FRG finds its most benefit in a deployment so that families can be connected and better informed. So there should be a structure of one. I think one thing a leader needs to do is give more than lip service to an FRG. In my last USAR unit, my then fiancé volunteered and actually went to San Diego for training. However, while the commander said she supported the FRG, that was about it. We were a training unit so the chances of us being deployed were minimal and that did not help. Another thing that does not help is limited training time on BA weekends. As for family involvement, we had decent show during our Christmas party but then again, it was usually the families that lived fairly close. I think if you can overcome some of these things, you can be successful. But it is a lot to overcome.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Mar 5 at 2016 5:25 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Sat, 05 Mar 2016 17:25:01 -0500

Look at the MWR funds balance. We as AC have done bake sales and car washes that were successful. If you want an easy an lucrative way of raising money message me. I don't want to protect the corporate name.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Mar 5 at 2016 7:27 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Sat, 05 Mar 2016 19:27:36 -0500

Incorporate fun in events.

Response by LTC John Mohor made Mar 5 at 2016 10:22 PM

LTC John Mohor — Sat, 05 Mar 2016 22:22:32 -0500

The most important thing an FRG does is check on the family of the deployed service member. Trying to have events a good thing with the geographic spread it's virtually impossible to get 100 % participation. When I deployed my wife only received one call in 7 months. The rear detachment selection is key to maintaining a good open line of communication for the FRG.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 5 at 2016 11:09 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 05 Mar 2016 23:09:12 -0500

Their are USO and AUSA chapters nation wide that sometimes pay for things at events for FRGs. --for your underfunded question--

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 5 at 2016 11:11 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 05 Mar 2016 23:11:25 -0500

Another thing is to recruit FRG family members to help besides women. Reach out to some of the men, brothers, dads and uncles.

Response by SGM Mikel Dawson made Mar 6 at 2016 1:50 AM

SGM Mikel Dawson — Sun, 06 Mar 2016 01:50:06 -0500

Insure there is a good FRG NCO and the Commander correctly uses this person. When our Reserve unit deployed to Iraq in 2003, our FRG NCO was scheduled to go down range. I advised the Commander to leave her back (she wanted to stay and do the job as well), but he wouldn't listen. Our unit, upon activation fell under V Corps and he said their FRG section would take care of our people - didn't really happen. Our unit people already knew our NCO, and it made a difference.
It's a tough job as Reserve units, people are spread out and don't know each other as well. If this means transport made available to the FRG NCO so this person can physically get out to all the families, then it's a must.
Living in Denmark, I my wife got zero support from the FRG, but she did get support from the Danish military!!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 6 at 2016 11:46 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 06 Mar 2016 11:46:03 -0500

One of the biggest challenges with FRG in the Reserve components WO1 Private RallyPoint Member is families already have their support base already ie: family that is local, live in a community their entire lives etc. not so much on the AD side. So why would they want to "bother" with dealing with a FRG? I've seen good and horrendous FRG's in the Guard. Time is also a issue. With as much we have to do during a regular Drill weekend how can you get a FRG event into it? We do have 1 excellent FRG in my BN. They are always doing something on drill weekends ie: bake sale, cooking burgers at lunch, chili etc.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 6 at 2016 6:09 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 06 Mar 2016 18:09:23 -0500

to be totally honest i served 08-09, was rdeployed 09 on emergency leave after eldest daughter killed in auto accident the only thing my wife was told hide the guns, zero support for her and guess what we are divorced, i thought my unit had it goining on but apparently wrong

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 8 at 2016 10:36 AM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 08 Mar 2016 10:36:51 -0500

The Army has a whole Reserve BH section that can do this if the soldiers are allowed to go to the proper schools, this does a couple of things, it helps 68X's better do their jobs at BA's instead of hoping to go to the VA to train hopefully, it gives the Solider a collateral duty which helps develop them and if an NCO its a great for the NCOER. Finally it cures the big issue of staffing because there will be dedicated people there even if there are a lack of spouses tha can assist

Response by LTC John Wilson made Mar 8 at 2016 12:42 PM

LTC John Wilson — Tue, 08 Mar 2016 12:42:22 -0500

Any FRG -- AC or RC -- is only as good as what the families put into it. It is important to take every opportunity to explain and educate the Soldiers and their families the importance of having a network to help each other before, during, and after a deployment. Obtaining the compelling testimony of family members who have experienced the benefits of a strong FRG will aid in this. Certainly money is useful for getting out the message, but at the end of the day each family will only get out of the FRG what they put into it.