FRG Center:
Location: Solder Support Center, Normandy Drive, Ground Floor
Hours: M-F 8am – 7pm. Weekends and evenings on request
Phone:(910) 432-FRGC (3742)
The Army Community Service Family Readiness Group Center serves the Fort Bragg Community. Soldiers and Families now have a location where it is possible to host meetings, schedule a VTC (unsecured), utilize computers, printers, copiers, webcameras, and much more! Staff members are always available to assist you. Come by today!
FRG Training Schedule [PDF]
Click here for Online FRG Training
FRG FAQ:
- What is an FRG?
- What is the Unit Commander’s role in the FRG?
- What is the role of the FRG Leader?
- What is the role of the FRSA (Family Readiness Support Assistant)?
- How do I register and log my hours as a volunteer?
- What are the requirements for FRG Inspections?
- FRG Regulations & Training
- Deployment Readiness Activities
What is an FRG?
A Soldier/Family Readiness Group is a command sponsored organization of family members, volunteers, soldiers, and civilian employees belonging to a unit, that together provide an avenue of mutual support and assistance and a network of communications among the family members, the chain of command, chain of concern, and community resources. For more details contact Deployment Readiness Program at 432-3742.
What is the Unit Commander’s role in the FRG?
The Army Command Policy 600-1 (Feb. 2006) and The Army Leader’s Desk Reference for Soldier/Family Readiness provides specific guidance for the command roles. Additional material is provided in the Pre-Command Course & other FRG related Trainings.
Commander
First Sergeant
What is the role of FRG Leader?
The FRG leader should be a person in a non-deployable status, preferably a spouse. Often, the FRG leader is the commander’s spouse, though not always. Any spouse in the unit who is willing and able to lead the efforts of the FRG can serve as FRG leader. The commander may select the leader, or the leader may be elected by the FRG membership. Either way, the commander prepares and signs appointment orders for the leader. However, after the FRG leader is selected, he or she needs to obtain the proper training.
The Army Leaders’ Desk Reference for Soldier/Family Readiness defines the FRG Leader roles as:
- Supports the commander’s family readiness goals
- Provides overall leadership of the FRG
- Recruits other volunteers to serve on FRG committees
- Delegates FRG responsibilities to selected volunteers as committee chairpersons, or presides over their elections
- Serves as a member of the battalion-level steering committee
- Identifies needs or unique problems of unit families
- Acts as unit FRG spokesperson for communicating family members’ concerns and ideas to the unit commander and, if needed, the battalion-level FRG leader
The FRG is not a one-person job, therefore, additional volunteers need to be recruited in order to build a team that works together for the good of the families in the unit. Consult the Fort Bragg FRG Leaders Handbook for other typical volunteer positions (PAGE 64) and FRG Job Descriptions (page 65)
Additional information is also discussed in the FRG Leader Essentials and FRG Leader Advanced Courses.
What is the Role of Family Readiness Support Assistants (FRSA)?
The Family Readiness Group Assistant Program (FRGAP) is a link between Soldiers, families, Family Readiness Groups and community resources.
Their job is to assist the command in properly and effectively responding to soldier and family needs by:
- Providing information and referrals to families who need assistance to the appropriate installation/community resources
- Scheduling and coordinating training
- Assisting in establishing and updating FRG rosters
- Working with the Rear Detachment Commanders to provide FRG leaders with timely and accurate information
- Providing assistance with the preparation of pre-deployment, sustainment and reunion activities
- Assisting with FRG newsletters and websites
- Helping to lighten the volunteer load
Learn about other FRG Key Roles.
How do I register and log my hours as a volunteer?
Check out the Army Volunteer Corps page for more information.
What are the requirements for FRG’s Inspections?
An inspection conducted by a detailed IG, oriented toward the identification of problems, determination of their root causes, development of possible solutions, and assignment of responsibilities for correcting the problems. Generally, IG inspections focus on issues rather than on units. The scope and content are determined by the commander to whom the inspector general is assigned (CG, XVIII Abn Corps). The Corps IG serves as the proponent of the XVIII Airborne Corps’ ORA Program (Organizational Readiness Assessment).
Training and Evaluation Outline is available online. Commanders or another designated service member must be present at the ORA.
FRG Regulations
Appendix J of AR 608-1 was released in December of 2006. Appendix J outlines FRG Roles and functions; resources available to FRGs; fundraising guidelines, donations; and the budget process. Anyone looking for guidance or answers to FRG-related matters should refer to Appendix J or the Commander or Ethics Counselor.
Operation R.E.A.D.Y (Resources for Educating About Deployment and You) is a training resource which was developed after the Persian Gulf War from lessons learned in deployment. ACS provides the following OPREADY-based trainings:
- Care Team Training - Learn how to establish this team to prepare for trauma in the unit, whether it’s a family member or Soldier. Positions on a Care Team include home care, meal assistance, transportation, phone call support,and childcare assistance.
- FRG Essentials Course – Provides information on the Soldier/Family Readiness Group and how to effectively run the organization.
- FRG Forum and Expo – The FRG Expo meets the requirements for FRG key leader in-processing. Information on FRG “hot topics” and templates for mandatory SOP’s will be provided. The FRG Forum is a venue for FRG Leaders and Family Readiness Group members to discuss current FRG issues or concerns and to explore solutions.
- FRG Powercourse – Includes FRG Essentials Course, FRG Key Caller Training, and FRG Treasurer Training – all in one!
- Key Caller Training – Designed to provide training in Key Caller duties, communicating with Family members, dispelling rumors, handling crisis calls, etc. It also shows Key Callers how they fit into a successful FRG.
- OpREADY FRG Professional Development (PD) Trainings – Additional trainings designed to offer continuing education for the FRG.
- Refresher Course – The refresher course is a quick overview of changes that affect FRGs due to Appendix J. It covers updated demographics for the Army and policies on budgets and fundraising and is geared toward seasoned FRG Leaders. Its purpose is mainly to reach FRG Leaders who have attended training in past years and provide current materials.
- Treasurer Workshop – Designed for FRG Leaders, Treasurers, Command representatives and anyone else who manages FRG money. It covers the various funds available and details the types of purchases that can be made with each fund.
Deployment Readiness Activities:
- DeStress with ACS is a fun and exciting class designed to provide stress relief. Previous classes have included massage therapy, scrapbooking, journal writing and more. Are you feeling a little stressed? Do you want to start a new hobby, meet new people, or just have fun? Then DeStress with ACS is the class for you! Learn More.
- SGT Mike’s Neighborhood Puppet Show. We offer 3 different puppet shows that present a kid-friendly discussion for children ages 4-12. The characters from SGT Mike’s Neighborhood (SGT Mike, Rachel, and Tommy) cover a variety of military life, deployment, and reunion-related issues. Learn More.
