How beneficial is a FRG ( Family Readiness Group)?

MSG Martinis Butler — Thu, 16 Jan 2014 07:12:21 -0500

FRG started off as a group that served as a family when spouses were off on deployments to keep families informed and to encourage one another until loved ones returned. Lately FRG's are like the modern reality tv shows that are packed with drama and gossip. With so much gossiping going on there have been times where deployed SM never receive a phone call or a care package from their spouse. What happened to encouraging families and unified team building?

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 16 at 2014 7:43 AM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 16 Jan 2014 07:43:11 -0500

I think the FRG is still very important.... WHEN IT IS LED BY GOOD PEOPLE...

With that said, "to ME" the FRG has gotten so far off track that WE as leaders need to find a way to get in there and start steering this ship back in the direction it should be going.

Those of us who truly care "Should BE the change that WE want to SEE" Things are normally only changed from the inside not from the outside throwing rocks in.

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 16 at 2014 8:01 AM

CSM Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 16 Jan 2014 08:01:56 -0500

Since the arrival of social networking and the rise of internet usage the need to have FRGs to keep family members informed in the forum of monthly meetings has drastically changed. A lot of units are using FB and other social medias to keep families abreast of training calendars and field problems. The other unfortunate problem with FRGs is the decline in having good volunteers step forward to serve in key positions within a unit's FRG. It has been my unfortunate experience that the ones that do volunteer tend to live in the drama side of life and/or create certain circles within the FRG alienating those spouses that are of lesser rank or social standing. One of the toughest things to maintain in my time as a 1SG has been a good FRG team but is still a very important component of any command team and unit.

Response by SFC William Swartz Jr made Jan 16 at 2014 8:43 AM

SFC William Swartz Jr — Thu, 16 Jan 2014 08:43:27 -0500

IF, and I reiterate, IF, it is properly implemented and run, the FRG can be an invaluable tool to assist with the spouses and families during times of deployment, be they to a combat environment or a rotation to a CMTC site. The FRG serves as a link between the unit and the families that can serve to ease worries, fears, and ensure a good flow of information between the FRG and the unit. However, if it devolves into nothing more than a gossip club then it can do more harm than good, especially if individuals within the group "assume" the ranks of their serving Soldiers. I have seen both the good sides and the bad during my 26 year career and have seen first hand how it can negatively impact a unit and/or the families themselves.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 16 at 2014 1:34 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 16 Jan 2014 13:34:28 -0500

Agreed with all the comments. They are only as good as those who volunteer and are in charge. FORCECOMs benifit more as family members come together as Soldiers deploy. Spouses network and pull together to support each other as well the Soldiers down range. What is difficult is maintaining an FRG group in a non deployable unit. I am currently in that situation.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 16 at 2014 1:34 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 16 Jan 2014 13:34:30 -0500

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 16 at 2014 1:39 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 16 Jan 2014 13:39:23 -0500

SFC Butler, the sad thing is the advent of some of these rdiculous TV shows(Army Wives, Enlisted) brings along many misconceptions or distortions of the Army.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 17 at 2014 1:08 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 17 Jan 2014 01:08:51 -0500

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Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 17 at 2014 1:08 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 17 Jan 2014 01:08:53 -0500

This is a bear trap, I had a great FRG where the junior enlisted families had an influence and representation equal to their number in the unit. I was a Headquarters Commander and others acted upon our success. We kept it together but my 1SG and I had to protect the lower enlisted spouses. It is a information sharing group, go beyond that into activities requires support from the lowest level up or else it is a social club or mandatory fun.... 1SG Rink's comments are on the mark

Response by MSG Martinis Butler made Feb 3 at 2014 6:10 AM

MSG Martinis Butler — Mon, 03 Feb 2014 06:10:32 -0500

As a leader you realize the FRG program is not being used for what it was intended for, in other words its doing more damage than assisting what do you tell your Soldiers?

Response by MSG Martinis Butler made May 4 at 2014 3:22 AM

MSG Martinis Butler — Sun, 04 May 2014 03:22:52 -0400

Would you speak out about your FRG if they are doing things that's really not supporting families but are hurting them?

Response by LT Jessica Kellogg made May 4 at 2014 7:16 AM

LT Jessica Kellogg — Sun, 04 May 2014 07:16:30 -0400

I think it depends on the leadership.
I've been part of a couple FRGs. The first was great: supportive, informative, and minimal gossip. The current is not so great: no information (either about the ship or base events) is distributed and it seems like a constant pity party. Maybe it has something to do with the average experience; many of the families in the current group have never been apart from their SM for this long.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 4 at 2014 7:22 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 04 May 2014 07:22:54 -0400

I agree with many of the comments or shall I say most. Prior to the advent of cell phones and computers and what not people had to gather or congregate to socialize. Today many people are so socially inept they can't function without social media. Echoing many here it really requires good volunteers.

Response by MSgt Keith Hebert made May 4 at 2014 12:25 PM

MSgt Keith Hebert — Sun, 04 May 2014 12:25:15 -0400

My wife was the frg leader for 5 years. The prior years were as most people said a gossip machine and clicks. For the 5 years my wife was in charge most of the gossip stopped,she really cared about the airman and had the support of the command. She always had problems with getting and keeping good volunteers.
With all that it does take a strong frg leader and a command structure that will back her up, also she has to be able to not interfere with the SM career/job.