What is the FRG?

The concept of Family Readiness Groups (more commonly referred to as FRGs) is relatively new to our Army. They are a direct result from our Grenada (OPERATION URGENT FURY), Panama (OPERATION JUST CAUSE), and Southwest Asia (OPERATIONS DESERT SHIELD and DESERT STORM) experiences.

Commanders of deploying units discovered that while their units were highly trained to fight, little if anything was done to train and prepare families to better cope with the stresses and unique problems that often arise during extended and often times unexpected deployment of their spouses. Some type of organization was needed within units to address this serious shortcoming in peacetime, so that in time of crisis, families would be better able to take care of themselves. The concept of the Family Readiness Group was born.

The official definition of a family Readiness group is -

"AN ORGANIZATION OF FAMILY MEMBERS, VOLUNTEERS, AND SOLDIERS BELONGING TO A UNIT THAT TOGETHER PROVIDE AN AVENUE OF MUTUAL SUPPORT, ASSISTANCE AND A NETWORK OF COMMUNICATION AMONG THE FAMILY MEMBERS, THE CHAIN OF COMMAND, AND COMMUNITY RESOURCES."

Mission

The mission of the family readiness program is to support the military mission through provision of support, outreach, and information to family members prior to and during periods of family separations.

Goals

The goals of the Family Readiness Group are:

• integrating all family members into the unit family and support system
• reducing social isolation
• providing close personal support.
• assist in gathering and disseminating information and identifying resources.
• facilitating and establishing a sense of community, and enhancing a feeling of belonging, control, self-reliance, and self-esteem

The success of a Family Readiness Group is dependent on family member interaction with each other and with the unit commander on a regular basis. This interaction creates the network that identifies and helps solve family member concerns and issues effectively, and in a personal manner. Through involvement in managing a Family Readiness Group and interaction within a unit community, family members actually become a more important, integral part of that unit's activities

If you need to get any more FRG information please visit the Army Virtual FRG website by Clicking on the link provided.