Links to Branch Support Services

Employer Support for the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) is provided by the Department of Defense, not at the Service level.  For more information on ESGR, Service-specific Ombudsman offices may be of assistance. Ombudsman services are typically provided by volunteer members with knowledge of the Service who refer service members, civilians, and their family members to the appropriate source of information for the resolution of Service-related questions.  The list below provides links to the Service-specific ombudsman programs for service members.

Army

Army Family Readiness Group (FRG) The Army FRG provides units with a direct link from family members to the command, ensuring that family members are aware of relevant information and resources for their unit. Family members may use the installation FRG or the virtual FRG (vFRG), an Internet-based system that provides all the functionality of a traditional FRG, but allows geographically dispersed units and family members to access information about their unit.

United States Army National Guard The Army National Guard (ARNG) website serves as a source of information for ARNG Soldiers and their families for a variety of topics. The Resources section of the website provides links to sources of information, including a link to ESGR.

United States Army Reserve Family Programs Online  The Army Reserve Family Programs Online website provides Army Reserve Soldiers and their family members a source of information and resources on employer relations and family programs.  The employers section of the site provides resources for Soldiers and their civilian employers to help explain the law and prepare Soldiers for reintegration into their civilian lives.

United States Army Reserve FRG includes Soldiers’ families, both immediate and extended, Soldiers, and other interested parties such as fiancés, friends, retirees, employers, and community members. The goal of the FRG is to establish a network that enables family members to effectively gather information, resolve problems, and maintain mutual support, thereby reducing stress associated with military life.

Marine Corps

United States Marine Forces Reserve  The Marine Forces Reserve website provides information for Marine Reservists on the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) and an explanation of service members' rights under the law.  The site also provides links to ESGR for further information.

Navy

United States Navy (USN) Family Ombudsman  The Navy Ombudsman/Deployment Support Program provides for communication between the command and a Sailor’s family members.  The program is a command-operated program designed to keep Sailors informed about command policy, ensure commands are aware of family concerns, and serve as referral service for families.

Air Force

Air Force Reserve Command Family Readiness  The Air Force Reserve Command Family Readiness offices assist and support families of deployed Air Force Reserve personnel.  The Family Readiness offices are located within the units and provide assistance on all family-related matters to include information and referral services.  Toll-free phone numbers for each of the Family Readiness offices are provided on the website.

Air National Guard Programs  The Air National Guard website lists programs designed to assist Air National Guard service members and their families, to include a link to ESGR.

Coast Guard

United States Coast Guard (USCG) Ombudsman  The USCG Ombudsman program is coordinated through the Work-Life Ombudsman Coordinator. The USCG Ombudsman assists family members by providing referral services to appropriate sources of information and assistance to resolve family member issues and questions.

United States Coast Guard (USCG) Reserve  The USCG Reserve webpage provides Reserve Component service members of the Coast Guard information and resources for numerous topics.  The website contains a link to ESGR under the benefits section of the site.