1166th Transportation Company FRG

The Family Readiness Group (FRG) is an officially command-sponsored organization of Family members, volunteers, and Soldiers belonging to a unit, that 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 provision of support, outreach, and information to Family members. FRGs play an integral part in the unit, Family and Soldier's Readiness.


Benefits of Family Readiness Groups

The Family Member ~ Unit Family Readiness Groups (FRGs) 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 FRG 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.

The Soldier ~ FRGs provide support that communicates command caring, genuine care, and as open and honest communication as possible. This allows Soldiers to trust in that care, which enables them to concentrate on the mission at hand, and have the emotional readiness to carry out that mission. FRGs help develop a confidence in Soldiers that Family members will receive reliable and friendly support when the Soldier is away. This can be a meaningful stabilizer for Soldier performance in the unit, and an enhancer of training and psychological readiness to fight.

The Unit Commander ~ FRGs and the resources they have available to them in the command structure can assist in developing resilient Families that 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 distractors. The FRG can contribute to unit cohesion and Soldier readiness. A well functioning FRG can minimize Family distractors conserving the unit commanders' time and resources (psychological, social, and budgetary) for military purposes by making referral to other agencies. Through prevention and education programs and Family activities, FRGs can help Families overcome problems that are likely to impact adversely on Soldier performance.