A Little Bit of History: FRG Definition and Mission
"...This membership is automatic, and participation is voluntary..."
- We're members of other community groups. Why should we get involved in an FRG? FRGs involve Families who share the unique challenges of military life. Few other groups can provide the same kind of support to the people who serve our country.
- Is a service member's career affected by Family participation in an FRG? No. FRGs are purely voluntary and don't affect career advancement. The people who benefit most are the Families who get involved.
- Are FRGs the same as military spouses' clubs or social clubs? No. FRGs involve the entire Family, as well as people from the community. Also, FRGs are open to personnel of all ranks. And FRGs are organized and directed by their own members.
- Why doesn't the commanding officer order members to join? FRGs are made up of people who want to be involved. Ordering all service members to join wouldn't necessarily add to the enthusiasm or effectiveness of FRGs.
- Will FRGs replace the work of some service members? FRGs work with other military Family services, rather than replacing them.
Volunteer Today
Our FRG depends on volunteer energy!
- Offer your time and talents. Everyone has skills to offer - from organizing programs to typing newsletters.
- Attend meetings and activities regularly. Help your FRG become a success by staying involved.
- Share Ideas. The best way to make sure the FRG meets your needs is to let people know what you want. Remember - the FRG relies on its members for direction.
Extend Your Family Through an FRG!
- Find out about your FRG
- Get involved in activities and planning.
FRG Definition and Mission
The Family Readiness Group, formerly known as the Family Support Group (FSG), is a concept that had early roots among Army families, who banded together during war or tours overseas or other isolated locations, to provide information, moral support, and social outlets to their members. The Army focused sharply on family readiness as a result of lessons learned during the 1990-91 Gulf War. On 1 June 2000, the Department of the Army renamed it Family Readiness Group to emphasize the need for readiness and self-sufficiency among Army families in the modern Army.
Paraphrasing DA Pamphlet 608-47, the FRG is an organization of family members, volunteers, soldiers, and civilian employees belonging to a unit/organization who together provide an avenue of mutual support and assistance and a network of communication among the members, the chain of command, and community resources.. Unit FRGs consist of all assigned and attached soldiers (married and single), their spouses, and children. This membership is automatic, and participation is voluntary. Extended families, fiancées, boy/girlfriends, retirees, DA civilians, and even interested community members can and should be included, as well.