How important it is to have a family care plan?

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 24 May 2019 19:01:00 -0400

This might sound like a silly question but I'm recently married and I have heard two things; that a family care plan is mandatory and that you only need one when about to deploy. Which one is correct?
How do I start a family care plan if I need one and what should I include in it?

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made May 24 at 2019 7:16 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Fri, 24 May 2019 19:16:30 -0400

I believe family care plans are for single parents to show how the dependents will be taken care of during your deployment.

Response by Lt Col Timothy Parker, DBA made May 24 at 2019 7:20 PM

Lt Col Timothy Parker, DBA — Fri, 24 May 2019 19:20:24 -0400

The simple answer is yes - you need one for your family in the event something happens to you. Things to include: where are all of the important papers (will, next of kin contacts, etc) and making sure they have access to them. List any financial accounts you have, and and creditors who might come calling. Make sure they know who they can contact to get support (your commander, your chaplain, the Red Cross contact, your senior enlisted advisor, etc.).

You also should think about the worse case in that how and where you want to be taken care of in that worse case event.

Also make sure your spouse is listed on your accounts so the spouse has rights to manage them if necessary.
You might want to see the legal office attached to your organization to get this ball rolling.
Your question is a good one - at least you are thinking about your family and the “what if” situations. Well done.

Response by CW5 Jack Cardwell made May 24 at 2019 8:34 PM

CW5 Jack Cardwell — Fri, 24 May 2019 20:34:59 -0400

It needs to be current and in place at all times. You can be deployed NOW! Be prepared.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 24 at 2019 8:56 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 24 May 2019 20:56:12 -0400

Need one at all times throughout the year. Otherwise say goodbye to your career.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 25 at 2019 2:20 PM

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 25 May 2019 14:20:20 -0400

You need one and need it yesterday. That said, get with your 1Sgt and see what the Army requires. Some things to consider are: 1. Does your spouse have access to funds? 2. Are any ID Cards about to expire (yep, that will catch a LOT of Joes unprepared). 3. Where will your dependants relocate to if necessary? 4. Limited Power of Attorney specifying EXACTLY what your spouse can do in your name. 5. Discuss with your spouse the plan.

Be sure to keep it updated.

Response by MSgt Michael Smith made May 28 at 2019 11:59 AM

MSgt Michael Smith — Tue, 28 May 2019 11:59:48 -0400

Both are true. It is VERY serious. I have personally seen people separated because they didn't have one. Bottom line -you cannot deploy without a family care plan. If you are unable to deploy for lack of a FCP you will be administratively discharged.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made May 29 at 2019 11:03 AM

SGM Bill Frazer — Wed, 29 May 2019 11:03:44 -0400

ok, by the numbers- 1. It is not an option, you can be barred,chaptered,discharge for not having it. 2. Not having one puts you in non-deployable status- we threw out 21K troops last year for being in that status. 3. It specifies Who,When, How, Where you kids will be cared for if you/spouse are deployed. 4. It should include names, addresses, reaction time to get kids, etc. 4, NOrmally, only single parents have to worry about it, cause it is assumed the remaining spouse is on station and will care for the kids. But if they aren't best be prepared. Check with the S1

Response by MSG Gary Eckert made May 29 at 2019 4:37 PM

MSG Gary Eckert — Wed, 29 May 2019 16:37:13 -0400

Neither is correct. Since you recently married, unless you have custody of child(ren) from a previous relationship or your current spouse in currently in the military and you have a child(ren) together then if Family Care Plan is not mandatory. Family care plans are used to demonstrate that you have a plan for your dependents that cannot care for themselves in the event you can not care for them due to you military responsibilities. If you are required to have a family care plans it must cover more than what happens if you deploy.