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© 2013 KentuckyGuard
By Senior Airman Joshua Horton, 123rd Airlift Wing Public Affairs
KENTUCKY AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Amy K. Quimby was appointed the 123rd Airlift Wing’s new Airmen and Family Readiness Program manager Aug. 24.
She has been involved with Air National Guard family programs for 21 years as both a volunteer and as the Airmen and Family Readiness Program manager for the Illinois Air National Guard in Peoria.
Quimby, whose office provides a broad range of services to assist Airmen and their family members, said she is excited to begin her work in Kentucky.
“I want to take it to a higher level than where it has been in the past, bringing my knowledge from the Peoria Air Guard here,” she said.
Quimby noted that her office provides everything that an active-duty Airman and Family Readiness center does.
“We have by-law programs with the transition assistance program and the Yellow Ribbon reintegration program,” she said. “We provide information and resources on several other topics that affect our Airmen such as relocation, financial, stressors or just general life issues they might have going on.
“We also encourage the Airmen to take care of their wingmen,” Quimby added. “If an Airman doesn’t want to come get resources, we encourage their wingmen to come get it for them. The financial piece is more than informational referral. We’ve actually been trained by the Air Force in personal financial readiness to work with the Airmen on budgeting and spend plans. We can sit down and create an action plan with an Airman and do a follow-up on a monthly or quarterly basis based on what the needs are.”
The ultimate goal of the Airmen and Family Readiness Program is to build healthy, resilient Airmen by connecting them with information and resources that will positively impact their lives, she said.
Quimby can be reached at (502) 413-4240/4241 and via e-mail at amy.quimby@ang.af.mil.
Story by David Altom, Kentucky National Guard Public Affairs
Amelia Forsyth, daughter of Catherine Forsyth, 1204th Aviation Support Battalion, follows good safety protocol, buckling up in the seat of a tactical vehicle during the 2014 Military Child Appreciation Day held at the Healing Fields in Lawrenceburg, Ky. (Photo by Alli Burton, Community Outreach and Marketing Coordinator Kentucky National Guard)
LAWRENCEBURG, Ky. — Nearly 4oo military children and parents were treated to an afternoon of fun and excitement at the annual Military Child Appreciation Day held at the Healing Fields in Lawrenceburg, Ky on Saturday April 26.
Olivia Vance, daughter of Staff Sgt. Roger Vance, gets her pick of the popcorn from Spc. Felicia Harris, Kentucky National Guard Family Support Programs. (Photo by Alli Burton, Community Outreach and Marketing Coordinator Kentucky National Guard)
Under the watchful eye of more than 80 staff and community volunteers, participants were treated to a wide range of fun activities to include face painting, making wax hands, gardening, pony rides and dressing up for family photos. Local vendors donated food and snacks.
Click here for more photos of this event.
According to Cindy Culver, Youth Coordinator for Kentucky National Guard Family Programs, “We sponsor this event every year during to Month of the Military Child to honor military kids for their sacrifices that they make on a daily basis.
“This year’s event really showed the love that everyone shares for our military kids,” said Cindy Culver, an organizer for the event. “The highlight of the event for me was when Jolean O’Connell sang on stage like a superstar.”
Kylie Anders is the granddaughter of John Noe, who retired from the 149th Maneuver Enhanced Brigade. (Photo by Cindy Culver, Kentucky National Guard Youth Coordinator)
The daughter of Anthony Yarborough, Jolene is sight impaired. But that didn’t stop her performance, which captured the attention of the audience.
“Everyone there had cold chills,” she said. “The resilience shown by these kids is something we can all learn from.”
Program will provide gifts for 454 kids in 168 families
Story courtesy The State Journal http://state-journal.com/
By Kevin Wheatley, Published: December 18, 2013
Linda Jones, left, Brooks O’Neal and Cindy Culver pick out gifts for a family with three boys. (Dylan Buell/dbuell@state-journal.com)
(Editor’s note: This story has updated numbers of children and families supported by the program)
FRANKFORT, Ky. — A sign outside a room at the Boone National Guard Center stocked with toys intended for underprivileged military families lets visitors know they’re stepping into the North Pole.
The nondescript room might as well be Santa’s workshop during the holidays as Kentucky National Guard staff sort through gifts, some of which will be the only presents nestled beneath the tree on Christmas morning.
Click here for more photos of Operation Military Cheer.
Books O’Neal, 6, puts a skateboard into a bag that has gifts for a military family with three boys. (Dylan Buell/dbuell@state-journal.com)
Called Operation Military Cheer, the program’s cache of toys - everything from board games to Barbie dolls to Legos to bicycles - has dwindled in recent days because the distribution of gifts has begun.
Essentials, such as grocery gift cards and infant food, are also provided through
Operation Military Cheer.
This year the holiday program will provide gifts for 454 Kentucky children, whose parents serve in all branches of military services. That’s one more child than last year, but organizers expect additional requests for assistance will come as late as Christmas Eve.
“That’s our payoff in the end, is knowing that the National Guard’s made a difference,” said Cindy Culver, lead organizer for Operation Military Cheer. “I’d like to be a fly on the wall on some of these Christmas mornings. These kids come around the corner, they’ve had bicycles in front of the tree and probably may not have had anything if it wasn’t for this program.”
The program has grown considerably since Culver’s first involvement in 2007, when her husband, Maj. Tim Culver, was deployed on a training mission to Africa. Fewer than 100 children had registered that year, Cindy Culver said, noting participation has risen every year since.
Pfc. Joe Lovely carries bags containing gifts to a van for distribution. (Dylan Buell/dbuell@state-journal.com)
Families seeking assistance are typically steered to the program through a military point of contact, usually a first sergeant, said Linda Jones, another Operation Military Cheer coordinator. Once approved, the family will usually submit a Christmas list for their children by Black Friday, and then collect a garbage bag filled with unwrapped toys either at the Boone National Guard Center or the nearest armory.Those moments tend to be emotional, Culver and Jones said. A number of active duty and reserve military families struggle through the holidays, either with spouses serving overseas or trouble finding steady work or some other hardship, so any assistance is met with the utmost gratitude. Those involved in the program, more often than not, reciprocate the feelings.
Culver recalled one military wife who requested help in 2008. Her husband had been deployed overseas, and the holidays had stretched the family’s finances thin. “She had two little girls, and her goal was to have them riding bicycles by the time her husband came home from deployment,” Culver said. “I hooked them up with two bicycles, and she sent me a video . of one of the girls riding down the sidewalk meeting dad at the end in a military uniform.
Pfc. Brittni Sherman, left, and Pfc. Joe Lovely put bags of gifts into a van Wednesday morning. The van will make stops at National Guard bases in Lexington, Richmond and London, and the gifts will then be distributed to military families in the area. (Dylan Buell/dbuell@state-journal.com)
“I had to close down my computer, and I took a walk around the pond, and I cried the whole way around the pond.”
Anyone can “adopt” a military family through Operation Military Cheer by calling the program’s toll-free phone line at 800-372-7601 or on the Kentucky National Guard’s Facebook page, www.facebook.com/KentuckyGuard.
Any extra toys collected for the program go to the Galilean Children’s Home in Liberty,
Culver said.
The nonprofit Home Builders Association of Lexington is a large donor, she said. The Kentucky National Guard partnered with the organization earlier this month for a toy drive.
The Lexington-Bluegrass Association of Realtors and the Disabled American Veterans are also contributors, Culver said, and Operation Homefront provides dollar-store toys at the program’s Christmas dinners at each of the 15 armories where gifts are delivered.
“You can’t be up here working and be a Grinch,” said Kentucky National Guard spokesman David Altom, who once helped coordinate Operation Military Cheer. “It wears on you. Your
heart’ll grow three sizes.”
Story by David Altom, Kentucky National Guard Public Affairs
Members of Kentucky National Guard Family Programs proudly display a small portion of the toys donated by Home Builders Care and the Lexington Homebuilders Association. (Photo by Alli Burton, Kentucky National Guard Family Programs)
LEXINGTON, Ky. — Santa and his helpers were out in full force during the handoff of donated Christmas presents from the Home Builders Association of Lexington to members of the Kentucky National Guard last week. The toy drive was part of Operation Military Cheer, an effort by the Kentucky National Guard’s Family Assistance Center to ensure that the children of Kentucky’s military families across all of the uniform services - active duty and reserve, Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine and Coast Guard - have a memorable holiday season.
Home Builders Care President Karen Mundy (far right) with Don Sullivan with Family Programs coordinators Cindy Culver and Linda Jones. (Photo by Alli Burton, Kentucky National Guard Family Programs)
Don Sullivan represents Home Builders Care, the charitable arm of the Home Builders Association of Lexington, the organization charged with collecting the toys for the drive.
“This is the second year that we’ve done this drive for Operation Military Cheer,” said Sullivan. “It is a pleasure to participate in this worthwhile program again this year. Our mission is to serve the families of Kentucky and what better way to do that than to provide toys for Military families. In 2012 we enjoyed collecting for Operation Military Cheer and another one of our projects included building a new home for a disabled veteran and his family.”
(Photo by Alli Burton, Kentucky National Guard Family Programs)
Together with associates of the Home Builders Association, the Remodeler’s Council, local real estate offices and the public, the group collected 1,200 toys and 22 bicycles valued at more than $6,000. An additional $900 in cash and gift cards were donated as well.
“The Home Builder’s contribution has been unbelievable,” said Cindy Culver, who coordinates Operation Military Cheer for the Kentucky National Guard Family Programs. “This is only their second year doing this, but they really went all out. The kids are going to have a great Christmas this year!”
Click here for more photos.
“Santa” even showed up to express his gratitude for the toys collected during the drive.
“It’s so awesome to see such an outpouring of support from the public to our military families,” said Capt. Rob Cooley, who switched uniforms from green to red in celebration of the occasion. The father of five children himself, Cooley understands the challenges facing today’s parents.
“Santa” takes time to thank Cindy Culver, Linda Jones and Jones’ grandson Brooks O’Neal for their help in gathering toys for Kentucky’s military families in time for the holidays. Culver and Jones are the driving force behind the Kentucky Guard’s Operation Military Cheer annual toy drive. (Photo by Alli Burton, Kentucky National Guard Family Programs)
“The holidays can be tough on our troops, especially in today’s economy. You don’t have to be deployed to have these problems. Programs like Operation Military Cheer have a huge impact on military families struggling to make ends meet.”
Operation Military Cheer supports military families across all the services, active duty, reserve and National Guard.
To find out how you can become part of Operation Military Cheer contact Cindy Culver or Linda Jones through the Family Assistance Center hotline at 1-800-372-7601.
Story by Shelia Brookins, Kentucky National Guard Family Readiness Support Assistant
November is Military Family Appreciation Month, a celebration of the Military Family in which the Department of Defense and the nation honors the commitment and sacrifices made by the families of the nation’s service members. We offer the following to raise awareness on matters of importance among Kentucky’s unsung heroes.
Micha Hobbs with her husband, Staff Sgt. Brandon Hobbs and their daughter Brylee Kate. Micha is the family readiness group leader for her husband’s infantry unit. (Photo courtesy Micha Hobbs)
RAVENNA, Ky. – It takes a special kind of person to take on the task of Family Readiness Group (FRG) leader/volunteer. In addition to balancing their own obligations between family and job, the FRG leader serves as a lifeline between Guard families and unit commanders. These unpaid volunteers are without a doubt key to the operational readiness of our National Guard.
In order to get some insight I asked Micha Hobbs to share her story. Micha is the proud spouse of Staff Sgt. Brandon Hobbs and the mother of one year old Brylee Kate. Micha and Brandon have been together since they were juniors in high school, so she was there when he joined the Kentucky National Guard. Micha currently works full-time as a speech language pathologist at Estill Springs Elementary in Irvine, Ky. She also works as a nurse for Reliant Health in Skilled Nursing Facilities, and she is still able to volunteer her to time to assist the families of Company C, 1st Battalion 149th Infantry in Ravenna.
How did you become interested in volunteering for the FRG? In 2006 my husband was preparing for his first deployment to Iraq and he encouraged me to attend an FRG meeting and get to know other family members from his unit. I attended a meeting and enjoyed it. I was asked to become a volunteer and so I served as secretary until 2008.
Staff Sgt. Brandon Hobbs and his daughter, Brylee Kate. (Photo courtesy Micha Hobbs)
In 2010 my husband asked me to start our FRG up again. I had reservations about it because I knew with the leadership role came a lot of duties and expectations. After thinking on it for a few days I decided to take it and I’ve been here ever since.
Why is working with the family readiness group important to you? If a soldier can make as many sacrifices for me and my freedoms, the least I can do is support them and help make things easier for them on the home front! I have been on two different ends of the FRG, both receiving and supporting.
I know while my husband was deployed the FRG was my saving grace. I had a group of people that I could always count on to make me feel better if I was down, answer my questions or just relate to when I needed to talk. We had outings, meetings, celebrated holidays together and much more. It was such a rewarding and helpful experience and it helped keep my husband’s mind at ease as well. He felt that he did not need to worry about me as much because he knew I had a support system at home.
Now, as a leader, I am responsible for putting out information, helping others network and making sure families are aware of all of the resources available to them.
Staff Sgt. Brandon Hobbs during a marathon supporting his former commander, Lt. Col. Jeff Cole, who has a rare form of leukemia. Being part of the Kentucky National Guard is, for many, like being part of an extended family. (Photo courtesy Micha Hobbs)
What do you feel are some of the benefits of the FRG for the families and soldiers? During the last deployment I was the FRG Leader. I definitely felt the pressure as I received at least a phone call or email everyday with a concerned spouse, mother, father, relative, friend, etc. I knew that it was my responsibility to keep the families informed with accurate and up to date information and help them in every way that I could.
I had a great relationship with the company commander at the time and he did a great job of keeping me informed from abroad. I also made sure that I kept families up to date on all the resources and information available to them during deployment. It was a stressful and busy time, but we all made it through. Whether it’s pre-, during or post-deployment, the FRG is a great way to get to know families in the unit, obtain loads of information about a variety of topics, and have that support system everyone needs in the military.
Story by David Altom, Kentucky National Guard Public Affairs
November is Military Family Appreciation Month, a celebration of the Military Family in which the Department of Defense and the nation honors the commitment and sacrifices made by the families of the nation’s service members. We offer the following to raise awareness on matters of importance among Kentucky’s unsung heroes.
Donna and Jack Bentley during his 2005 deployment. Donna has been involved in Family Programs since 1995. (Photo courtesy Donna Bentley)
FRANKFORT, Ky. — You often hear us say that “the troops can’t do their job without the support of their families” and “families are the unsung heroes of the military community.” But what does that exactly mean? Why are families so important? What resources are available to them?
Family Readiness Support Assistants (FRSA)
On the frontlines of family support are the Family Readiness Support Assistants. Their mission is to empower commanders in their duty to deliver the Total Army Family Program in order that Soldiers and families are informed, educated, assisted, and ready for the unique demands of military life before, during, and after deployment.
Donna Bentley is the Kentucky Guard’s Senior Family Readiness Support Assistant. The wife of a retired Kentucky National Guardsman, she works with six other FRSA specialists who represent Kentucky’s major commands, also known as MACOMs.
“I support the State Family Program Director in volunteer program management and training coordination which enhances the overall services provided by volunteers to Army and Air National Guard MACOMS and Service Member families,” said Bentley. “We are the commanders’ advisors on their family readiness program. We contribute to the unit’s combat readiness by promoting efficient and effective communication between the command, the state family programs office, the FRGs and all family members.”
The core function of the FRSA is to work with FRGs, military contacts, rear detachments (during deployment), and volunteers to provide training and hands-on assistance. This training from the FRSA establishes and maintains an effective family readiness system within units and commands.
The FRSA is vital in coordinating volunteer efforts at the state level and serve as an arm of the State Family Program Office. Continuing communication and empowering training is provided to Soldiers and their families due to dedicated efforts of FRSA’s.
Click here for more information about the Kentucky National Guard’s Family Programs.
“Last year we got one hundred percent of our FRGs charted and functional in Army and Air Guard units,” Bentley said. “That included training more than 200 volunteers plus unit commanders and first sergeants.”
Among other things the training included suicide prevention and family operational security (OPSEC), which was provided by the J2 state security office.
Bentley knows what it’s like to be on both the giving and the receiving ends of family support. The wife of a retired war veteran, she’s been involved with family programs since 1995 as an FRG Leader. She’s also got son who’s an Air Force C-130 pilot.
“My husband was deployed in 2005-2006 for fifteen months. It was hard as our youngest son was a high school senior who was trying to make decisions for his future military career. It was even harder on my service member as he missed out on most of the events of our son’s senior year. It did make us closer as a family. We definitely do not take for granted the things we do for each other.”
Staff report
November is Military Family Appreciation Month, a celebration of the Military Family in which the Department of Defense and the nation honors the commitment and sacrifices made by the families of the nation’s service members. We offer the following to raise awareness on matters of importance among Kentucky’s unsung heroes.
FRANKFORT, Ky. – Money is often cited as the number one problem when it comes to preserving domestic tranquility. Money builds us up and it brings us down. Some think it is the key to happiness; the mismanagement of it is most certainly key to our misery.
Not everybody has a Santa to bail them out during the holiday spending season. Good money management can be the greatest gift your family can receive. (Kentucky National Guard file photo)
In the military community money is a huge factor when it comes to wartime deployment. Adding to those hardships are complications arising from pay issues, particularly during the recent sequestration and federal shutdown.
That’s the bad news. The good news is that the Kentucky National Guard recognizes these challenges. Regina Harris is an accredited finance counselor on staff with the Family Programs as a personal finance counselor. Let’s see what she has to say about money and what to do about it.
So what exactly is your job?
My official mission is to assist service members with any personal financial issue that arises in their or their families lives. I strive to let them know that my services are free, anonymous and confidential.
Is this strictly a National Guard program?
While I work with National Guard Family Programs, I’m available to help any military service member, active duty and reserve force. We support Kentucky’s entire military community.
What are some of the financial challenges military families face?
Couples don’t always see eye to eye on finances. It helps to have a neutral person assist or guide them to making sound financial decisions; establishing that neither person is right or wrong. We can always realize outlandish financial decisions without any other input.
It’s not just married couples, either. Single service members often need someone to talk with about financial accountability. I can do that for them. Service members sometimes want guidance on budgeting, buying a car, buying auto or life insurance, buying a house, getting into an apartment, child support, preparing for a Furlough or answering a Security Clearance inquiry. Also, relieving debts, saving for emergencies and retirement are worthy topics.
Does a military service member have to be in trouble to use your services?
No, you do not have to be in financial distress. A personal finance counselor may be the only phone number you have to connect you to other resources; we gladly connect. Even when things are going fantastically well financially we can be a sounding board to help you plug any possible financial oversights or to agree with your plan.
Do you ever visit units on site?
Yes, I’m happy to provide financial briefs at the unit level. I regularly attend Yellow Ribbon ceremonies and I’m available for other events as well.
It’s my pleasure to help service members feel good and in control of their money. It’s my passion to serve, it’s what I do and it’s why the DOD has provided these person financial counselor services for you.
If you need help with your finances or just have general questions contact Regina Harris at 502-548-4836 or rharris@mflc.zeiders.com
Story and photos by Sgt. David Bolton, Kentucky National Guard Public Affairs Office
Chaplain Brent Kelly, Kentucky National Guard Yellow Ribbon Program Manager, passes out care packages to Families of Soldiers deploying with the 2nd Battalion, 138th Fires Brigade to the Horn of Africa at the Frankfort Convention Center in Frankfort, Ky., Aug. 31, 2012. The boxes contained teddy bears and books that could record the Service member’s voice as they read and be played back at any time. (Kentucky National Guard photo by Sgt. David Bolton)
FRANKFORT, Ky.— As Soldiers of the Kentucky National Guard’s 2nd Battalion, 138th Field Artillery prepared to serve their country abroad, the Guard’s Yellow Ribbon program prepared to serve the Families of these service members at home.
More than 500 care packages with special gifts for the Families of the deploying Soldiers were presented to children, spouses, aunts, uncles and grandparents prior to the farewell ceremony for the 2/138th Aug. 31, 2012 at the Frankfort Convention Center.
“The boxes have a teddy bear with a recordable book in it so that the Soldier can read it and record their voice so that the child can have that while they’re gone,” said Linda Jones, Child & Youth Programs Coordinator. “There is also a memory box that the kids can decorate and put things in that their parents send to them or something that is important to them.”
The boxes provided a way for the children and Families to stay connected and maintain ties with loved ones throughout the duration of the deployment.
“The bags have all sorts of goodies so the kids wind up having a really good connection with their parents who are deploying and spouses wind up feeling supported,” said Chaplain Brent Kelly, Yellow Ribbon Program Manager.
Workers with the Kentucky National Guard’s Yellow Ribbon Program pass out care packages to families of Soldiers deploying to the Horn of Africa at the Frankfort Convention Center in Frankfort, Ky., Aug. 31, 2012. (Kentucky National Guard photo by Sgt. David Bolton)
Supplying care packages isn’t the only thing that the Kentucky Guard Yellow Ribbon Program does however. They also provide National Guard and Reserve Members and their Families with information, services, referral and proactive outreach opportunities throughout the entire deployment cycle.
“Anytime a spouse has any kind of problem, if a child is having trouble in school, if they can’t pay their electric bill, maybe they’re stressed, anything you can think of, they can call and get help from somebody,” said Jones. “We want the spouses to think of Family Programs as their extended family, we’re there for them when their spouse is gone.”
This isn’t the only type of event that the Yellow Ribbon Program has provided to the Service members of the Kentucky Guard.
“We support Operation Military Cheer, Summer camps; we have a whole host of other events throughout the year to support Kentucky Guard Families,” said Kelly. “We understand what the Soldiers are going through and we are happy to support them and their Family because we in the Kentucky Guard are a Family.”
For those interested in finding out more about the Kentucky National Guard’s Yellow Ribbon Program, you can contact Ms. Kim Coyle at 1-502-607-1177
or visit http://www.jointservicessupport.org for more information.
Photo by Cindy Culver, Kentucky National Guard State Youth Coordinator
FRANKFORT, Ky. — Today’s Friday the thirteenth was lucky for the students of Peaks Mill Elementary School in Frankfort as they held a special “Purple Up Day” to show their support for the children of military service members. The event was sponsored by the Kentucky National Guard’s Family Assistance Center and Youth Programs.
“Purple is the color that symbolizes all branches of the military, as it is a combination of Army green, Coast Guard blue, Air Force blue, Marine red, and Navy blue,” said Cindy Culver, state youth coordinator. “Everyone looked great in their purple outfits and had a wonderful time during our visit.”
In addition to dressing up in the color of the day, staff and students also recognized seven children that have a parent in the military. The military students all received a “Hero Pack” from Operation Military Kids containing journals, cameras, books and toys to help get through deployments.
“A lot of our students don’t have family members who are in the military,” said Beth Nickel, the school’s principal. “We wanted to bring an awareness of the challenges their fellow students go through.”
Programs like “Purple Up Day” seem to help, said Nickel. “They really support each other and they always get excited when we’re visited by Soldiers in uniform.”
Nickel said the school also holds a “military attire day” a couple of times each year to show respect for those who serve in the armed forces. “They get to dress up in their favorite camouflage outfits,” she said. “They always get into the spirit when we do that.”
Click here for more information on the Family Assistance Center or call 1-800-372-7601.
Click here to see the Kentucky National Guard Yellow Ribbon Facebook page.
Story By David Altom, Kentucky National Guard Public Affairs
Young Anderson Powers takes a break during a Family Readiness Group briefing at Boone National Guard Center in Frankfort, Ky. Anderson is the son of Sgt. Mike Powers and his wife Erin. (Photo by David Altom, Kentucky National Guard Public Affairs)
FRANKFORT, Ky. — It’s 3 a.m., your windows were just shattered by a hailstorm, the lights are out and the kids are crying. You turn to your loved one for help and — hello! — he/she has been deployed to Southwest Asia for the past 30 days.
Who you gonna call? Why, your Family Readiness Group, that’s who!
Seriously, if you’ve been in the military lifestyle for any time at all, you’ve probably “been there, done that” when it comes to things going wrong. And hopefully at some point in your experience you’ve had some contact with this thing call the Kentucky National Guard Family Assistance Center. They offer a wide range of service and support to all Kentucky military families, National Guard, reserve and active duty as well.
Chaplain (Maj.) Bill Draper shares the spotlight with Liam Powers during a Family Readiness Briefing at Boone National Guard Center in Frankfort. Liam is the son of Sgt. Mike Powers and his wife Erin. (Photo by David Altom, Kentucky National Guard Public Affairs)
“We’re a one stop shop when it comes to helping our military families,” said Kristen Arnett, coordinator. “We address the needs of the service member’s family throughout every stage of their career, during deployment, before, after, you name it.”
A typical family readiness briefing covers subjects as diverse as service member pay and finances, legal obligations, benefits, dealing with the media and even who to call if the water pipes break.
“Our FRG is awesome,” said Sgt. 1st Class Michael Ball, Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion 238th Aviation. “They do a great job of keeping our families prepared and informed, and they have proven valuable whenever problems came up. They really make a difference when it comes to taking care of our troops and their families.”
For Robin Hartman, wife of Sgt. Steve Hartman, Co. C, 2nd Battalion 238th Aviation, her family readiness group proved essential in getting through their first deployment.
“I had no idea what to expect,” she said. “Thank goodness for the Family Assistance Center and Family Programs! They provided a ton of great information at the Yellow Ribbon briefing before our unit deployed, and helped us get organized and prepared.”
According to Hartman, information regarding legal paperwork are crucial to preparing for deployment.
"Sorry, miss, but this is more than three ounces." -- Sgt. Ross Haste and Chief Warrant Officer Kevin Keith perform a safety check for contraband liquids at the castle gate during a Family Readiness Group briefing. (Photo by David Altom, Kentucky National Guard Public Affairs)
“We were able to walk through the material and gather our records, phone numbers, marriage license, and power of attorney — everything I might need while he was gone, and all of which I needed at some point during that year.”
Probably the most important piece of information she received was the phone number to the Family Assistance Center.
“I used it a lot and they were incredible,” she said.
Networking is another benefit of the family readiness group system. No matter how strong your personal support mechanism is, sometimes you just need someone who shares a common experience.
“The other wives and family members in our unit stayed in touch with one another, got together on occasion and just provided each other with a support system no other group could provide,” said Hartman. “Second to faith in times of deployment, I would definitely encourage a knowledge of the family assistance resources and involvement in the Family Readiness Group.”
Click here for more information on the Family Assistance Center or call 1-800-372-7601.
Click here to see the Kentucky Nationa Guard Yellow Ribbon Facebook page.
And don’t forget to talk to your readiness NCO to find out more about your unit’s Family Readiness Group!
