Stand-To!- Family Readiness Groups and Special Initiative: The vFRG - Dec. 26, 2007

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 Stand-To!<http://www4.army.mil/news/standto/printheader.gif> 
Edition: Wed, December 26, 2007
Rich-text Version <http://www4.army.mil/news/standto.php?dte=2007-12-26> 

TODAY'S FOCUS


Family Readiness Groups and Special Initiative: The vFRG

What is it? 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.

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. 

What has the Army done? 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. 

What efforts does the Army plan to continue in the future? 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.

Why is this important to the Army? 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.

For more information click here. <http://www.armyfrg.org/> 



INFORMATION YOU CAN USE


*	2007 Strategic Communication Guide
<https://www.us.army.mil/suite/page/409993>  - Read the 2007 Army Strategic
Communication Guide for key messages and updates. 
*	Strategic Communication Coordination Group (SCCG) Workspace
<https://www.us.army.mil/suite/page/303879>  
*	Army Public Affairs Portal
<https://www.us.army.mil/suite/page/216363>  
*	Stories of Valor <http://www.army.mil/valor> 


NEWS ABOUT THE ARMY


*	Army eyes isolated nuclear site in S.C. for battle exercises (EB
<http://ebird.afis.mil/ebfiles/e20071226569766.html>  | MB
<http://www.modbee.com/2033/story/161857.html> ) 
*	Father's leave is extended (EB
<http://ebird.afis.mil/ebfiles/e20071226569847.html>  | CT
<http://www.chicagotribune.com/services/newspaper/printedition/tuesday/chi-a
rmykid_25_bothdec25,0,3941546.story> ) 
*	Army program aims to lower Soldier deaths, injuries after war
deployment (SAS
<http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=51243> ) 
*	101st troops trade care for tips on insurgency (TN
<http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071226/NEWS08/712260
439/1025> )


WAR ON TERROR NEWS


*	U.S. presses for Iraqi self-sufficiency (EB
<http://ebird.afis.mil/ebfiles/e20071226569743.html>  | LAT
<http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-wean26dec26,1,6015814.s
tory?ctrack=1&cset=true> ) 
*	Two bombings kill at least 26 in N. Iraq (WP
<http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/12/25/AR200712250
0382.html> ) 
*	U.S. commander: Reward Sunni fighters (EXM
<http://www.examiner.com/a-1123168~US_Commander__Reward_Sunni_Fighters.html>
) 
*	White House hopeful for Iraq progress (EB
<http://ebird.afis.mil/ebfiles/e20071226569763.html>  | WT
<http://www.washingtontimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071226/NATION/1
8115639/1001> )


OF INTEREST


*	Iraqi Army hands out school supplies from Virginia children (MNF
<http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=16034&Ite
mid=1> ) 
*	ERMC to ration Hib vaccine amid recall (SAS
<http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=51241> ) 
*	Christmas with the 82nd Airborne in Afghanistan (ABC
<http://abcnews.go.com/International/story?id=4050540&page=1> ) 
*	Man crashes into house of Army Secretary (AT
<http://www.armytimes.com/news/2007/12/ap_gerencrash_071226/> )


WORLD VIEW


*	Troop surge brings hope to Baghdad streets (MET
<http://www.metimes.com/>  | Story
<http://www.metimes.com/International/2007/12/25/troop_surge_brings_hope_to_
baghdad_streets/5452/> ) 
*	President Bush's torture policy is a cancer (ALJ
<http://www.aljazeera.com/>  | Story
<http://www.aljazeera.com/news/newsfull.php?newid=70786> ) 
*	U.S. company develops clothing with built-in tourniquets for combat
injuries (IHT <http://www.iht.com/>  | Story
<http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/12/25/america/NA-GEN-US-Warrior-Wear.ph
p> ) 
*	Death toll eases but Iraq awaits its full 'awakening' (MET
<http://www.metimes.com/>  | Story
<http://www.metimes.com/Politics/2007/12/25/death_toll_eases_but_iraq_awaits
_its_full_awakening/afp/> )


WHAT'S BEING SAID IN BLOGS


*	Our troops celebrate Christmas (GAF
<http://gazingattheflag.blogspot.com/> ) 
*	Blackfive TV- CPT Travis Patriquin, a tribute (BF
<http://blackfive.blogs.com/> ) 
*	Christmas in Iraq redux - a cruel joke (BF
<http://badgersforward.blogspot.com/> ) 
*	Christmas in the land of sandcastles (BBA
<http://billandbobsadventure.blogspot.com/> )

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