Should You Participate in the FRG?

Time to talk about the FRG or Family Readiness Group. This group can be an amazing source of information and support for the Army wife and family. The level of your involvement is completely up to you – nothing is mandatory. Many units have FRGs that are basically stagnant until the unit deploys. Some units enjoy a FRG that is active all of the time regardless of what the schedule is for the soldiers.

The activity of your FRG can depend on you! Yes, you! With little involvement of Army wives and other family members, there will be little need for activities. If you don’t like how your FRG is progressing, volunteer to be in a leadership position in your group. You can do this by volunteering to be on a committee or volunteering to be a key caller. As a key caller, you would be responsible for getting information out to other Army wives within the unit. Please do recognize that no one is paid within the FRG. Everyone who is running it or putting together activities, making phone calls, etc. is doing it as a volunteer.

I have heard of spouses who absolutely love their group and depend on it and I’ve also heard of some who say they wouldn’t go back if they were paid! One of my first experiences was with another wife who proceeded to tell me how much the state of Georgia sucks after I told her I was from here. I just politely smiled, nodded my head and made a mental note to stay away from her! 😉 The fact is that the group is what you make it. For me, it is a great resource for information but my main support system is in other places. I just seemed to click with others better.

The decision about whether to stay involved is up to you. But at least try it out and give it a shot. A room full of new friends could be waiting to meet you!