FORT SILL, Okla. (March 20, 2014) -- Over two days, leaders of 3rd Battalion, 2nd Air Defense Artillery participated in various classes about family readiness group (FRG) support agencies to benefit the battalion and unit FRG programs.
The training was the first of its kind in the battalion as it provided a comprehensive knowledge base for battery and company command teams, and FRG leaders. The classes, which occurred in morning sessions March 6 and 7 at the battalion headquarters, ranged in several family readiness topics including FRG leader training, program fundraising, and military and civilian community resources.
Each class instructor was an expert from an installation family support service such as Army Community Service (ACS).
The training proved pertinent and useful for the battalion, which had just returned from a yearlong deployment in Turkey in December. The training was a refresher for many of the attendees, especially FRG leaders who had served throughout the entirety of the battalion's absence from Fort Sill, but several of the trainees were relatively new to the battalion family readiness program. No matter the experience level with the FRG, most could agree they learned something new from the training.
"The training was very valuable because it served as a refresher for some of us," said Maj. Alan Faye, battalion executive officer. "The emphasis on doing FRG events and looking after the FRGs was a good baseline for new commanders. Also, reaching out to the right experts so they could come and teach the classes added extra value."
The training covered topics that would enable the leaders to build upon their existing programs and create more complete and robust FRGs. The first day of classes included instruction on Army Family Team Building and resources available to Soldiers and their family members, and thorough instruction on the roles and responsibilities of the FRG leader.
The group also received a visit from Connie McDonald, Fort Sill first lady. She reminded the command teams and attendees of the importance of FRGs and how they must be prioritized to achieve maximum unit effectiveness.
On the second day, instructors covered FRG fundraising, Volunteer Information Management System and Casualty Response team classes. At the conclusion of the training, all attendees had received a well-rounded foundation to assist in augmenting their respective FRG programs.
Bonnie Jones, 31st ADA Brigade family readiness support assistant, who helped coordinate the training, said, "I thought the training went very well. The instructors from ACS and FMWR were excellent and their training only strengthens the current robust battery and company FRG programs within 3-2nd ADA. All the command teams were given great resources to better assist Soldiers and their families."
The battalion FRG training armed command teams and FRG leaders with the necessary tools to better shape their individual programs, and to help Soldiers and families get any support they may need.
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