What is a CIAC and who does it support?
What is an Individual Augmentee (IA)?
- Individual Augmentees (IAs) are Sailors who are filling individual billet requirements for various combatant commanders around the world in support of the Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO), formerly called Global War on Terror (GWOT).
- In contrast to a Sailor who deploys with a ship or squadron or Unit, an IA Sailor leaves his/her assigned unit or command to deploy individually or with a small group.
- As an IA, Sailors serve as ambassadors for our Navy, and gain invaluable Joint Coalition and interagency experience which will enrich their career.
- Most IAs are concentrated in the CENTCOM region which includes Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait, Bahrain, and the Horn of Africa and now Libya– but there are also IAs serving in other regions, including Germany, the Philippines, Cuba and Japan
CIAC Program Overview
· CIAC Program was established through a series of IA Grams 1-10 from USFFC. Refer to the Navy IA website, www.ia.navy.mil for all IA information.
· US Fleet Forces Command (USFFC) is the Executive Agent for the Individual Augmentee (IA) Program (Aug 2008)
- IA Gram #5 Assignment of Command Individual Augmentee Coordinator (CIAC) Roles and Responsibilities (April 2009)
- CIACs are directed to contact each IA sailor at a minimal monthly and as indicated by their Sailor’s desired contact interval for families
- https://navyfamily.navy.mil is the link to the Navy Family Accountability and Assessment System (NFAAS) a program used to track all IAs by the CIAC (and CNRFC/USFFC)
What is a CIAC?
- The Command Individual Augmentation Coordinator (CIAC) is a key component of the IA Sailor support mechanism
- CIAC acts as a mentor, an advocate, and a professional source of help and information for the IA Sailor and their family before, during and after an IA assignment
- CIAC should be an E-7 or above designated by the Commanding Officer, preferably with IA experience
- All commands must have at least one CIAC, but large Commands may assign more than one
- CIACs should always work in conjunction with their command ombudsman to provide the very best support possible to the IA Sailor and his/her family!
Does My Command Need a CIAC?
- All Navy Commands with Sailors departing on an IA assignment, currently on an IA assignment, or having returned from an IA assignment within the past nine months must have a CIAC designated in writing by the CO or OIC, as directed by USFFC IA gram 08-02.
- For all RC Units, each NOSC must have a designated CIAC to support the mobilized reservists and their families, as well as any FTS/AC Staff and their families assigned to the NOSC.
- This applies to all AC Commands and commissioned RC commands with a Unit Identification Code (UIC)
CIAC’s Role Pre-Deployment Phase!
- Preparation is the CIAC’s primary responsibility
- Ensures Sailor is notified
- Reads and explains orders with Sailor
- Provides IA sailor with Family handbooks
- Encourage Sailor/Family to attend PDRC at each NOSC annually
- Maintain/update Command social roster with IA data
- Ensure Sailor updates family contact information in NFAAS
- Provide Sailor/Family with Ombudsman contact information
- Informs Chain of Command of issues
- Directs Sailor to provide command with contact information for any I-stops > 1 week
CIAC’s Role Boots on Ground (BOG) Phase!
During Deployment:
- Contact command IAs minimal monthly and Families at least by the periodicity provided by Sailor via telephone or e-mail
- Works closely with Command Ombudsman
- Informs CO or chain of command of any issues that arise
- Ensures in-theatre contact info obtained and current
- Maintains working relationship with ECRC
CIAC’s Role Re-Deployment Phase!
- Encourage Families attend reunion briefings, Returning Warrior Workshops (RWW)
- Ensures welcome-home arrangements made
- Personally welcomes IA Sailors back to command
- Ensures IA’s return is acknowledged by command
- Is aware of reintegration issues and referral resources
Why is NFAAS a CIAC Responsibility?
- Navy Family Accountability and Assessment System
- Standardizes a method for the Navy to account, assess, manage, and monitor the recovery process for personnel and their families affected and/or scattered by a wide-spread catastrophic event.
- Tracks all IA/Families for contact and assignment during IA deployment
Sailor and Family Resources for IA Deployment!
Remember a good CIAC will work in conjunction with his/her Command Ombudsman!! Your hard work can make a HUGE difference in the success of a command’s CIAC program.
For more information on this program please contact the Program Manager at CNRFC Family Support code N003:
Mr. James Warren
Family Support Program Manager N003
James.d.warren@navy.mil
757-322-6568
DSN 262-6568