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<DIV id=date>Edition: Wed, December 26, 2007<BR><A
href="http://www4.army.mil/news/standto.php?dte=2007-12-26">Rich-text
Version</A></DIV>
<DIV class=column>
<H2>TODAY'S FOCUS</H2>
<P><B>Family Readiness Groups and Special Initiative: The
vFRG</B><BR><BR><B>What is it?</B> Family Readiness Groups (FRG) function as a
communications mechanism, bringing facts to the families from command, and
serving as an informal chain of concern to bring issues back up to command. They
are integral to the morale and support of Soldiers and families before, during
and after deployments. It is structured based on the needs of the unit; some
FRGs are large, very active and all encompassing to include parents, friends and
significant others in their information chain while others are small and
tailored only to the immediate requirements of a non-deployed unit.<BR><BR>A new
system, the Virtual Family Readiness Group (vFRG) web system, provides all of
the functionality of a traditional FRG in an ad-hoc and on-line setting to meet
the needs of geographically dispersed units and families. Unlike FRGs that are
located with the unit, the vFRG links the deployed Soldier, their family, the
FRG leader, the unit commander, the rear detachment, and other family readiness
personnel on their own controlled access web portal to facilitate the exchange
of information and provide a sense of community, using technology to automate
manual processes and provide enhanced services and communications.
<BR><BR><B>What has the Army done?</B> Over 1100 vFRGs are established linking
Families on the homefront to those forward deployed. The Army has limited
development of vFRG sites to units at the Battalion-level and higher in an
effort to serve the most Soldiers and families across the Active, Guard and
Reserve. Waivers are available for separate companies and other non-Battalion
units with special needs. <BR><BR><B>What efforts does the Army plan to continue
in the future?</B> The vFRG is being redesigned to address feedback from users
and administrators and improve end user experience. Marketing of these resources
to commanders and families is an integral part of the way ahead.<BR><BR><B>Why
is this important to the Army?</B> Family Readiness Groups are critical to
maintaining the strength, morale and information chain for Soldiers, families
and Command. Elements such as the vFRG program have proven to be overwhelming
successes as additional information sources directed to family members of
Soldiers within the command. FRGs leverage command and families; vFRG leverages
technology for providing up-to-date information and connecting families and
commands.<BR><BR>For more information <A href="http://www.armyfrg.org/"
target=_blank>click here.</A><BR></P>
<H2>INFORMATION YOU CAN USE</H2>
<P>
<UL>
<LI><A href="https://www.us.army.mil/suite/page/409993" target=_blank>2007
Strategic Communication Guide</A> - Read the 2007 Army Strategic Communication
Guide for key messages and updates.
<LI><A href="https://www.us.army.mil/suite/page/303879"
target=_blank>Strategic Communication Coordination Group (SCCG) Workspace</A>
<LI><A href="https://www.us.army.mil/suite/page/216363" target=_blank>Army
Public Affairs Portal</A>
<LI><A href="http://www.army.mil/valor" target=_blank>Stories of
Valor</A></LI></UL>
<P></P></DIV>
<DIV class=column>
<H2>NEWS ABOUT THE ARMY</H2>
<P>
<UL>
<LI><B>Army eyes isolated nuclear site in S.C.</B> for battle exercises (<A
href="http://ebird.afis.mil/ebfiles/e20071226569766.html" target=_blank>EB</A>
| <A href="http://www.modbee.com/2033/story/161857.html" target=_blank>MB</A>)
<LI><B>Father's leave</B> is extended (<A
href="http://ebird.afis.mil/ebfiles/e20071226569847.html" target=_blank>EB</A>
| <A
href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/services/newspaper/printedition/tuesday/chi-armykid_25_bothdec25,0,3941546.story"
target=_blank>CT</A>)
<LI><B>Army program aims to lower Soldier deaths,</B> injuries after war
deployment (<A
href="http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=51243"
target=_blank>SAS</A>)
<LI><B>101st troops trade care</B> for tips on insurgency (<A
href="http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071226/NEWS08/712260439/1025"
target=_blank>TN</A>)</LI></UL>
<P></P>
<H2>WAR ON TERROR NEWS</H2>
<P>
<UL>
<LI><B>U.S. presses</B> for Iraqi self-sufficiency (<A
href="http://ebird.afis.mil/ebfiles/e20071226569743.html" target=_blank>EB</A>
| <A
href="http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-wean26dec26,1,6015814.story?ctrack=1&cset=true"
target=_blank>LAT</A>)
<LI><B>Two bombings kill at least 26</B> in N. Iraq (<A
href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/12/25/AR2007122500382.html"
target=_blank>WP</A>)
<LI><B>U.S. commander:</B> Reward Sunni fighters (<A
href="http://www.examiner.com/a-1123168~US_Commander__Reward_Sunni_Fighters.html"
target=_blank>EXM</A>)
<LI><B>White House hopeful</B> for Iraq progress (<A
href="http://ebird.afis.mil/ebfiles/e20071226569763.html" target=_blank>EB</A>
| <A
href="http://www.washingtontimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071226/NATION/18115639/1001"
target=_blank>WT</A>)</LI></UL>
<P></P>
<H2>OF INTEREST</H2>
<P>
<UL>
<LI><B>Iraqi Army hands out school supplies</B> from Virginia children (<A
href="http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=16034&Itemid=1"
target=_blank>MNF</A>)
<LI><B>ERMC to ration Hib vaccine</B> amid recall (<A
href="http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=51241"
target=_blank>SAS</A>)
<LI><B>Christmas with the 82nd Airborne</B> in Afghanistan (<A
href="http://abcnews.go.com/International/story?id=4050540&page=1"
target=_blank>ABC</A>)
<LI><B>Man crashes into house</B> of Army Secretary (<A
href="http://www.armytimes.com/news/2007/12/ap_gerencrash_071226/"
target=_blank>AT</A>)</LI></UL>
<P></P>
<H2>WORLD VIEW</H2>
<P>
<UL>
<LI><B>Troop surge brings hope</B> to Baghdad streets (<A
href="http://www.metimes.com/" target=_blank>MET</A> | <A
href="http://www.metimes.com/International/2007/12/25/troop_surge_brings_hope_to_baghdad_streets/5452/"
target=_blank>Story</A>)
<LI><B>President Bush's torture policy</B> is a cancer (<A
href="http://www.aljazeera.com/" target=_blank>ALJ</A> | <A
href="http://www.aljazeera.com/news/newsfull.php?newid=70786"
target=_blank>Story</A>)
<LI><B>U.S. company develops clothing with built-in tourniquets</B> for combat
injuries (<A href="http://www.iht.com/" target=_blank>IHT</A> | <A
href="http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/12/25/america/NA-GEN-US-Warrior-Wear.php"
target=_blank>Story</A>)
<LI><B>Death toll eases but Iraq awaits</B> its full 'awakening' (<A
href="http://www.metimes.com/" target=_blank>MET</A> | <A
href="http://www.metimes.com/Politics/2007/12/25/death_toll_eases_but_iraq_awaits_its_full_awakening/afp/"
target=_blank>Story</A>)</LI></UL>
<P></P>
<H2>WHAT'S BEING SAID IN BLOGS</H2>
<P>
<UL>
<LI><B>Our troops</B> celebrate Christmas (<A
href="http://gazingattheflag.blogspot.com/" target=_blank>GAF</A>)
<LI><B>Blackfive TV</B>- CPT Travis Patriquin, a tribute (<A
href="http://blackfive.blogs.com/" target=_blank>BF</A>)
<LI><B>Christmas in Iraq redux</B> - a cruel joke (<A
href="http://badgersforward.blogspot.com/" target=_blank>BF</A>)
<LI><B>Christmas in the land</B> of sandcastles (<A
href="http://billandbobsadventure.blogspot.com/"
target=_blank>BBA</A>)</LI></UL>
<P></P></DIV>
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