What are the best resources for National Guard & Reserve Soldiers and family members

2014-10-14T16:54:57-04:00

I'm here at AUSA with Nick Petros, Elizabeth Malkin, and LTC Jason Strickland. We're talking with some incredible US Army folks and had a lengthly conversation with a top leader in the National Guard. She's curious to find out what resources the RallyPoint community recommends for the Guard, Reserve and their families. Please let us know what you think so we can get back to her. Thanks in advance for your support!

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 22 at 2015 2:29 PM

2015-04-22T14:29:05-04:00

I think the military does a pretty good job with dealing with families. The only thing that I would like to see is a 24 hour hotline for soldiers in need. I have been away in the military and not able to get to phone. My wife, meanwhile, was not getting paid due to a pay error. She got up with the right people overtime but the regular Guard units really don't have a set duty day. Their full time staff could be out training or at their Annual Training. If there was a means as a way to address situation like this it would be great. Also, it could be a means for emergencies also. If a wife needs help with a blown out hot water heater during the day while she is trying to take care of her child that would be a great help. I know because all of these happened to me and my wife.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Apr 24 at 2015 7:08 AM

2015-04-24T07:08:06-04:00

There has been a resurgence in the Family Readiness Group program in the Guard/USAR but it needs to focus on and function for the every day life of NG/USAR members not just during a deployment. It should at least be active during an AT period but I don't think that level of thinking has been reached yet. I ran an FRG for 3 years and the interest was barely there during the deployment. Once the soldiers returned, the interest died out completely.