Honestly, do you think there is more emphasis placed on FRG than is really necessary? What should service members' roles be in this program?

2015-08-10T17:24:50-04:00

I guess the biggest push in this question is what should my role (as a service member) be in the FRG? Should I be required (as a single Soldier) to participate in committees, attend meetings? What input should the BOSS rep have in the meetings he or she is required to participate in?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 10 at 2015 5:28 PM

2015-08-10T17:28:22-04:00

BOSS during FRG meeting? It would be weird to discuss single Soldier activities during a FRG meeting when it's focused on families.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Aug 10 at 2015 5:29 PM

2015-08-10T17:29:32-04:00

I am sure that many will be offended, but I had the misfortune of never being in a unit with an effective FRG. They were gossip mills, good old girl clubs, had in/out groups primarily based on officer/enlisted, and did very little for the unit except create drama and heartache for the rear D people.

Response by CSM Michael J. Uhlig made Aug 10 at 2015 5:30 PM

2015-08-10T17:30:12-04:00

Your role should be completely voluntary. A single Soldier should not be "required" to attend however, it is always a great place to be for all Platoon Sergeants and by you attending, you are setting a great example. Additionally, since you are a leader in the unit (and attending), I recommend you make it a positive event and try to get the most out of it....make it fun and make it worthwhile. The experience you gain as a Platoon Sergeant will help you when you are a First Sergeant. You are rockin, keep on setting the example SFC Private RallyPoint Member.

Response by SFC Michael Jackson, MBA made Aug 10 at 2015 5:52 PM

2015-08-10T17:52:56-04:00

conducted effectively, i think FRG is an invaluable asset to an organization. It helps bridge the gap between a Soldier's life and homefront. Helps keep families informed, brings members closer together, which can create a support system for families, gives the servicemember's family more comfort when they understand what the units are about. FRG explains that. Additional, Servicemembers often receive more support at home when FRG tells them the unit is going for 3-4 weeks for training than walking in saying im leaving for a month for work. Add creditability- less drama.
Having single Soldiers attend reduces divisiveness and a show of unity in,an organization. Soldiers and families coming together. Units need to show that no preferences or bias exist between Single and Married Soldiers. Leaving it everyone is one way to do that.

Response by SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL made Aug 10 at 2015 5:59 PM

2015-08-10T17:59:14-04:00

SFC Michael Jackson, MBA well said and elequently conveyed brother!!

Response by LTC John Shaw made Aug 10 at 2015 7:29 PM

2015-08-10T19:29:31-04:00

SFC Private RallyPoint Member FRG should get continuous Command emphasis, which means the Leadership of Officers, Warrants and NCOs must participate or it is a Leadership problem.
My wife, Melissa, is like you Jessica, she does not like the FRG when it becomes a whining session or a group baby sitting team.
Can't relate to the single solider issue, but the leader for the FRG needs to have meaningful activities for singles as well.
Bottom line the FRG needs to have guidance and rules. It is most important gearing up for mobilization and needs a break post-mob. So it needs to 'breathe' and cycle up and down in activity with the needs of the service members.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 10 at 2015 8:49 PM

2015-08-10T20:49:32-04:00

I think FRGs are a good thing if they are used properly. I have been married for over 11 years now. We have been together for three deployments and countless time away for training. I don't think they are going to offer my wife anything that she doesn't already know. But there are spouses out there that need this. I seen the wives of my soldiers and they are afraid of the Unknown.

For being a single soldier I don't think you have a role. When I was single I didn't want anything to do with the military. But there might be some that need to get out and get active. Usually from what I have heard they some are afraid of female soldiers going to an FRG meeting. Wives can get jealous very easy.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 11 at 2015 12:20 AM

2015-08-11T00:20:01-04:00

I think a lot of it depends on execution. I was an "Army Husband" while my wife was still on Active Duty. Her FRG was the most miserable Army function I've ever participated in. The spouses would have full on BN style IPRs and BUBs. The wives wore their husband's ranks on their sleeves. My wife was actually counseled on a 4856 because the BN XO's wife felt she was rude to her. The FRG while I was deployed, on the other hand, was great.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 11 at 2015 1:04 AM

2015-08-11T01:04:50-04:00

These days, and since I can remember, the FRG has been nothing but a gossip forum for many of the significant others that are waiting at home for us to return. I know not all are like that, I think the need for FRG is a good idea but those that are put in charge seem to take their spouses rank and let it go to their head. As a single soldier, you should not be required to got to FRG related functions, and it should not be mandatory for those that are not single.

Response by SSG Richard Reilly made Aug 11 at 2015 9:33 AM

2015-08-11T09:33:04-04:00

Single Soldiers have Families that have to be informed about their loved one too. Mom's, Dad's, Awkward uncles.

Response by CH (MAJ) Thomas Conner made Aug 11 at 2015 2:55 PM

2015-08-11T14:55:17-04:00

I have two thoughts on the subject. First, I have a difficult time justifying forcing a Soldier attendance at a FRG function. If the SM is single, the BOSS program is designed for them (at least it is supposed to be), so encourage them to attend there. If the SM is married, and if the FRG does what it is supposed to, then yes, they need to attend - especially junior enlisted. Many of these SMs tend to blow off anything they aren't forced to do, and the FRG is a good place for the families to meet and learn what the FRG can do to help. Second, most of the FRGS I have attended, were little more than gossip circles and bitch sessions. If leadership is serious about the FRG, appoint FRG leaders that have command support and do what the FRG is supposed to do.

Response by CH (MAJ) Thomas Conner made Aug 11 at 2015 3:02 PM

2015-08-11T15:02:21-04:00

I was medically retired November 2014, and I am still dreaming about being active. I often wake up in a panic, thinking I overslept or I have a report or something due-that I have not even started. I have even woke up wondering where I was! I think part of my problem is that I have so many doctors appointments (military types), it is difficult to make the break. So the short answer is I think it depends on the individual situation.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 18 at 2015 10:57 AM

2015-08-18T10:57:56-04:00

In all honesty in 23 years of doing this job I have yet to see one FRG actually work. Oh yeah they go thru the motions and get things in order to pass an inspection and get their ticket punched but it was still broke. The person(s) that were suppose to be running it did not know what they were doing and basically did nothing that the FRG is suppose to do. In the last 8 years my wife has been contacted by a FRG only one time to help organize and participant in a FRG event.