General Information

This handbook has been developed to assist you and your family in preparing for deployment, activation and extended temporary duty. You will find within these pages helpful suggestions, pertinent information and a summary of tasks, which are essential for your family’s welfare. As with any separation, preparation is the key to success.

It is hoped that you will use this booklet to prepare you and your family. You will discover that there are many areas of concern that go unnoticed until it is your own family situation. Please take time to fill in the necessary information so that the challenges and stresses related with your absence can be minimized.

This booklet is not meant to provide a solution to all your concerns, needs, or emergencies that may arise due to separation. However, is can give helpful suggestions to assist you in solving personal concerns and answer you questions regarding what to do to help make this a less hectic and frustrating experience.

Each Guard member is accountable to their commander and bears primary responsibility to have their personal affairs in order as an on-going aspect of military service. A Guard Member will be able to serve with confidence, during a time of mobilization or activation, if they know that they have fulfilled their responsibilities to their family and prepared them, well in advance, for the demands of separation while they are away. The important matters of family finance; location of important papers; housing; medical care/insurance; emergency support; a Will; appropriate legal support (as needed); family member dependent ID cards; these items should all be in order long before the time of separation due to a military mobilization, state call up or annual training.

Military Family Readiness is Life Readiness, and Guard family members deserve the best of responsible care from their Guard Sponsor.

The Guard and Community agencies provide Family Assistance during times of mobilization, through Family Assistance Centers (FACS) and easily accessible information and referral support.

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FAMILY READINESS GROUPS

The FAMILY READINESS GROUP (FRG) is a Commander’s program for family members that is designed to help prepare them for times of separation from their sponsor, due to military service responsibilities. Family members, like you, volunteer to help one another gain strength and independence. FRG members train to be READY, listen to problems, answer questions, and refer individuals tot he proper agencies for solutions to problems, and unusual situations. Family Readiness Groups care and share, especially during times of separation.

The FRG can:
• Offer Family Readiness Training
• To develop family support networks through which families mutually support each other.
• To provide a communication network between the unit and family members.
• To improve family awareness of the organization of the military unit, its missions and activities.
• To develop activities that improves the quality of life for the soldier and family.
• To encourage participation of family members in activities that supports the unit.
• To educate family members on the benefits and entitlements that are available to the Amry and Air National Guard.
• To be prepared in the event of mobilization.
• To assure soldiers that their families will have support in their absence thereby enabling the soldiers to focus on the mission.
• Provide information to help family members solve their own problems
• Provide and arena in which family members can develop personal strength and independence.
• Provide support and assistance in easing burdens of separation
• Assist family embers in knowing about and understanding their benefits
• Be a link between the unit and the family, helping to build a PARTNERSHIP

Every family member is encouraged to be an active part of the FRG not only to receive help but also to help others. Please be involved and get others involved in your Family Readiness Group.

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FAMILY READINESS GROUP UNIT POINT OF CONTACT (POC)
A Guard member who is appointed by the Commander to help organize and assist the FRG with activities and training. They help to build a bridge between the Commander, the FRG volunteer Point of Contact and Family Members.

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CHAIN OF CONCERN
The “Chain of Concern” is a listing of contact people in your FRG who have volunteered to make telephone calls as necessary, and to provide any information and or assistance you may need. Be sure your contact person has an accurate phone number and address for you on the telephone tree. Keep your contact person’s name and telephone number posted where it is accessible. Near your phone or on the refrigerator are good places.