VICENZA -- The Army Family Action Plan is an Armywide program created to address quality of life issues. AFAP works to engage Soldiers, families, survivors, retirees and civilians at all levels by identifying, prioritizing and elevating issues to senior leaders for action and resolution.
Since its inception in 1983, the AFAP remains the only such partnership between a branch of the United States military and its constituents. In fact, some issues are applicable beyond the local level and are the driving force behind the enactment of 129 pieces of legislation, 187 policy changes, and 212 improved programs and services throughout the military services and federal government.
Some examples of past successes include the transferability of the G.I. Bill to dependents, funding the Better Opportunity for Single Soldiers (BOSS) Program, and an increase of SGLI from $50,000 to $400,000 for active-duty families.
As AFAP enters its 33rd year, the program has been restructured to address constrained resources and restrictions on travel and conferences, while retaining the "voice of the customer." AFAP issues will continue to be generated at the grassroots level and elevated to the Army Staff for review and endorsement.
In line with this change, the USAG Italy community is extending the program throughout the year with quarterly deadlines to submit issues. The next deadline for this fiscal year is Oct. 1. In place of a conference, U.S. Army Garrison Italy will host a community forum Nov. 3 in the conference room outside of the Lion's Den on Caserma Ederle. Participants will have the opportunity to present community issues and hear from subject-matter experts regarding those issues.
Anyone in the community can submit an issue to AFAP. To submit, stop by the Army Community Service office, or go online through the MWR website. Army OneSource (www.myarmyonesource.com) also facilitates AFAP issue online submission and routes the issue to the garrison/unit selected by the submitter for entry into the AFAP process.
Remember, AFAP makes a difference. The information community members submit gives insight to Army leadership and helps foster a satisfied, informed and resilient Army community.
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