Just a question.

Are they allowed to join the FRG and be on the mailing list of the FRG?

I just need clarifications.

It will depend on the CO and what he/she will allow. Some do allow fiances, gf, bf, parents, but others will not.

Thanks NWIP!

I was just curious.

THey don't allow parents? I thought that FRG's were for families. No wonder one of the other spouse was asking about parents. I seriously thought we had to let family members in.

no. in fact in addition to the CO and their policy the SERVICEMEMBER also dictates who can receive the information..and if they say they do not want a parent or even a spouse getting information, the FRG must abide by that request.

True, true....there's a form that the service member fills out-basically a info contact sheet-and they can determine who receives what info, if they want to release their email address, mail address, etc.
Bobby and I have had to do that recently---should be done periodically to make sure everything is up to date.

Thanks ladies!

That just sounds a bit off in my opinion though. Saying who they want to get the information, receives information.

I did receive that form and filled it out, but it was like the form asked for family member names and such.

Wow, so anyone that is listed can go and get information like when and where they will be like deploying and such.

And does that mean the FRG must help them out?

No. FRG's will not give out all kinds of personal info, movements, etc. Family members can receive generic info on how the unit is doing, how the mission is going, addresses to send mail, that sort of thing.

FRG's do not 'have to' help anyone out. They are an info network only. They can give a family member resources, but that's about all they can do.

Usually when we have meetings, we discuss certain things.

Like with their last mission, we were given a time frame of when they would be leaving and when they would be returning. Not exact dates, but a time frame.

And other things going on with the Battery and then discussion of the FRG.

I'm somewhat battling some demons in the FRG I'm in. I'm in the story book type where things are not going so well that people don't want to join because of the rumors.

I walked right into this one:P I like the leader and the other ladies are not that bad, just a few.

That's why I asked, because it made me wonder why a girlfriend was receiving information about all the activities of the FRG.

I was just thinking someone decided to make up their own rules.

I am not sure of all the rules of the FRG but all the meetings I have attended and when I went to the Deployment breifing we were told that the purpose of the FRG was a support group of people who really understand what each person is going thought due to the fact that they are also going thought it So anyom=ne who is close to that soldiers has the right to attend the meeetings. A person needs some one they can depend on while their soldier is deployed and that is one of the purposes of the FRG Correct me if I am wrong

111, it really depends on the individual unit's expectation of their FRG. Some FRGs are very strict in their memberships, and some are very open. I've been involved in very open ones where any person, whether family member or military enthusiast can be a member. Although, in that case, you have to be careful about OPSEC. We have had FRG's that are open, but when it comes to specific information, it is either mailed or emailed only to the persons that the soldier has listed on his contact list.

I am a FRG leader for a reserve unit. Sorry I’m joining the conservation a little late, but maybe I can offer what I know. In the reserves, the FRG is open to anyone. Spouses/parents, neighbors, employers, bf, gf, anyone. When a Soldiers in-processes at a unit they are suppose to fill out something called a 107-R. This form has all their information on it, such as their name, address and next of kin's information. Soldiers do have the right to opt-out their family members from receiving information or updates. I personally do not feel that this is fair, but we must abide by the rules. In my unit I have the Soldiers fill out something called a family data worksheet. On this form there is a space for Soldiers to give “permission" for their FM's info to be released. What I don't think the Soldiers understand is that if they don't allow FM's access to the FRG , then the FPA (family programs assistant), will contact that family member (at least this is what is suppose to happen). A lot of people think that the FRG is just an organization for deployment. This is not, or should not be the case. The main purpose of the FRG is to support, as someone said, the family members of the Soldiers. If the FM's are kept in the loop and have a strong support base, then when deployment does happen, they will have that strong base to support them. If a Soldiers family members are kept informed on what is going on in the unit that makes a happier, more stable environment. The Soldiers then can put their attention on their mission because they will know that their FM’s will be taken care of. I hope this helps answer some of your questions.

If you don't stand behind our troops, then please...feel free.. to stand in front of them.