{"id":26387,"date":"2019-10-15T08:00:23","date_gmt":"2019-10-15T08:00:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/uncategorized\/2019\/10\/15\/heres-why-the-army-is-changing-its-family-readiness-groups\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T06:03:16","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T06:03:16","slug":"heres-why-the-army-is-changing-its-family-readiness-groups","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/news\/your-army\/2019\/10\/15\/heres-why-the-army-is-changing-its-family-readiness-groups\/","title":{"rendered":"Here\u2019s why the Army is changing its family readiness groups"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Army is rebooting its family readiness groups to make a shift \u201cfrom a spouse group or spouse program to a commander\u2019s program for soldier and family readiness,\u201d according to the chief of the Army\u2019s family programs branch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Commanders will be able to shape the group into what their soldiers and families<\/a> need, said Col. Steve Lewis, speaking at a family forum Oct. 14 during the annual meeting of the Association of the United States Army.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In April, then-Secretary of the Army Mark Esper issued a memorandum that changed the name of the family readiness group to soldier and family readiness group. Among other things, it also eases some of the reporting restrictions and requirements of these groups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Family readiness groups were created after the first Gulf War when leaders and families called for more structure in family support. This is the first major change these groups have had since then. Esper\u2019s memo notes that changing the name reflects more inclusive groups to also bring in single soldiers and their families, into the communication activities and community network of the SFRG.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe commander needs to lead the soldier and family readiness group,\u201d said Lewis. \u201cThey need to be able to link all these family members in the unit and the soldiers in the unit into one, and be able to continue to communicate with them and connect them to services and support that\u2019s available.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Army officials are currently drafting implementation guidance for commanders, Lewis said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An Army Stand-To message states the policy update \u201cis a paradigm shift away from a focus on social activities and fundraising to communicating, connecting members, information sharing, and connecting people with resources.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Connection and communication<\/a> is a core task of these redefined groups, Lewis said. \u201cSocial support and connectedness are critical for family readiness.\u201d According to a recent Rand Corp. study<\/a>, Army junior enlisted family members as well as family members who live farther from installations, are most likely to feel stressed, isolated and bored. And because of low spouse participation in family readiness groups, the Army should find ways to boost the effectiveness and increase participation in them, to improve communication and provide more opportunities for social support and information sharing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It will likely require a \u201creboot\u201d of the whole FRG program, the researchers said, in the Oct. 7 report.<\/p>\n\n\n\t