Soldier and Family Readiness Group (SFRG)

The Department of Defense defines Family readiness as the state of being prepared to effectively navigate the challenges of daily living experienced in the unique context of military service.

The Army is comprised of nearly one million Soldiers across all components and has roughly 1.3 million Family members. The strength of the Army hinges on their collective readiness. Army Families make selfless contributions every day to support Soldiers and Army readiness. Army Families endure challenges unique to military communities, such as frequent Soldier deployments for operational, contingency or training missions around the world. 

A Soldier/Family Readiness Group is a command sponsored organization of Family members, volunteers, Soldiers, and civilian employees 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, chain of concern, and community resources.

The Family Member:

Unit Soldier & Family Readiness Groups (SFRGs) 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 SFRG 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:

SFRGs 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. SFRGs 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.

Commanders:

The commander serves as the Soldier and Family Readiness Group (SFRG) Leader.  Army Command Policy 600-20 (24 JUL 2020) and The Army Leader’s Desk Reference for Soldier/Family Readiness provides specific guidance for the command roles. Additional material is provided in the SFRG Command Team Training.  

• Commander
• First Sergeant
• Command Sergeant Major

Command Family Readiness Representative (CFRR):

The CFRR serves as the commander's representative to ensure the free flow of information and support between the unit leadership, its volunteer base, and unit personnel to include Family members.  Provides:

• Operational (primary advisor to the SFRG on all military matters), administrative (ensure SFRG rosters are up to date), and logistical support (coordinate volunteer training) to the SFRG leadership. 
• Monitors and maintains oversight of the Command Soldier and Family Readiness Program. 

CFRR duties are assigned by the commander. 

The Senior Command Family Readiness Representative (SCFRR) at Bn and Bde level provides assistance to subordinate CFRRs and facilitates the free flow of information regarding Soldier and Family readiness to and from the brigade/battalion command teams and steering committees.  The SCFRR serves as a point of contact to ensure subordinate units receive the necessary support from brigade and battalion and provides advice to the brigade/battalion command teams regarding Soldier and Family readiness related issues.  

ACS offers a CFRR Academy where CFRR's can complete all required training for the position. 

The SFRG is not a one-person job, therefore, additional volunteers need to be recruited in order to build a team that works together for the good of the Soldier's and Families in the unit. 

All fundraiser requests must be submitted six to eight weeks in advance. Please plan accordingly. These requests may require coordination and routing through several directorates on Fort Leonard Wood to include the Staff Judge Advocate and the Garrison Commander.

Army Directive 2019-17 (Changes to the Soldier and Family Readiness Group Program).  Dated 01APR19.  This directive established an official name change to refer to FRG's henceforth as SFRG's, Soldier and Family Readiness Group.  It also establishes policy changes to fundraising, reporting, and informal fund activities for the Soldier and Family Readiness Group (SFRG) Program.  It supersedes AR 608-1, Appendix J

HQDA EXORD 233-19 Army-Wide Implementation of the Soldier and Family Readiness Group Dated 16DEC19 is designed to add clarification of the Army Directive 2019-17.

The Army Regulation that governs all Soldier and Family Readiness Group operations is Army Regulation 608-1, Appendix J

Army Command Policy contains guidance on Army Family readiness at para 5-2, page 48 Army Regulation 600-20 (dated 24 July 2020)

The Department of Defense Instruction (DoDI) 1342.22 establishes policy, assigns responsibilities, and establishes procedures for the provision of Family readiness services.

Legal Information Papers for SFRGs:

• SFRG Info Paper
• SFRG Publishing Info Paper
• Formal Guide to Commander's Informal Funds