Deployment Support

Regardless of rank or marital status, a permanent change of station can be stressful. Permanently moving to the Republic of Korea can be stressful on you and your family, due to unaccompanied tours, non-command-sponsored stresses and even command-sponsored tours. The separation from family and friends combined with a distinctly different cultural environment can be a little overwhelming for a new geographically separated bachelor. It is important to be flexible and prepared for an exciting new experience. Stop by Army Community Service or contact us at Casey DSN: 722-1578 to learn ways we can help best support your unique situation.

For families coming to the Korean Peninsula and USAG Yongsan - Casey, there are many opportunities for involvement. Below is a quick summary of Family Readiness Group services.

FRGs are official command-sanctioned organizations of family members, volunteers and soldiers belonging to a unit who together provide an avenue of mutual support and assistance and a network of communications among the family members, the chain of command and community resources. FRGs help create a climate of mutual support within the unit and community. Basic FRG goals include supporting the military mission through the provision of support, outreach and information to family members.

The official Army guidance for FRG support and funding is available in The Army Commander's Guide to FRG Operations dated Sept. 26, 2005, or sign up for our new R.E.A.L FRG training.

FRG mission activities; such as office supplies and computer equipment, newsletter publication and mailings, and volunteer travel and training; are mission-funded with appropriated funds just like all other unit administrative requirements. In addition, appropriated funds can be used to print materials necessary to carrying out meeting activities, support meetings, fund travel and expenses to attend family support training; and provide support for incidental expenses (e.g. child care, phone bills, mileage, etc.) of statutory volunteers and family members of Armed Forces supporting contingency operations.

Eighth Army will continue to distribute FRG guidance and information through the FRG website and multiple forums such as: Army Family Readiness Advisory councils; well being councils; town hall meetings; senior spouses orientation; commanders orientation; semi-annual training Briefs; and other forums.

Commanders must work closely with their respective FRG leaders to ensure FRG activity requirements are identified and included in the commander's fiscal year budget. The Eighth Army commander is committed to FRG support and will continue to place command emphasis on the program.

To the family member: Unit Family Readiness Groups foster a sense of belonging to the unit and community and provide a vehicle for families to develop friendships while they gain information about the unit and community. In addition, they provide information and referral and share support during deployments. Through successful SFRG efforts, many spouses have developed a more positive attitude toward themselves, a better understanding of why deployments are necessary and the Army mission to maintain readiness.

To the soldier: Soldier Family Readiness Groups provide the support that communicates command caring, the integrity of care, and as open and honest communication as possible. This allows soldiers to trust in that care, enabling them to concentrate on the mission at hand and have the emotional readiness to carry out that mission. FRGs help develop confidence in soldiers that family members will receive reliable and friendly support when the soldier is away. This can be a meaningful stabilizer for a soldier’s performance in the unit and an enhancer of training and psychological readiness to fight.

To the unit commander: Family Readiness Groups and the resources they have available to them in the command structure can assist in developing resilient families who are better able to cope and function in times of separation and/or crisis. A unit FRG affords increased levels of confidence, commitment and a sense of well-being among soldiers and family members and the potential for fewer training distracters. The SFRG can contribute to unit cohesion and soldier readiness. A well-functioning FRG can minimize family distracters conserving the unit commander’s time and resources (psychological, social, and budgetary) for military purposes by making a referral to other agencies. Through prevention and education programs, as well as family activities, FRGs can help families overcome problems that are likely to impact adversely on soldier performance.

For more information and support, please contact USAG-Yongsan Army Community Service by calling DSN: 722-1568,1569.