For those who don't know we have this program called a "FRG" (Family Readiness Group), which can be an amazing program IF is used correctly. (ouch, I am a bit bitter on some levels & I will admit it.) I have seem many FRG's do simply amazing jobs ... and then I have seen too many fail time after time.

FRG's were set up to help families adapt & survive the military. They were to provide you with information coming from your husband's chain of command. They were NOT set up to do fund raisers, yet they have been known to do that. (This is a plus if done right.) They were not set up to have get togetheres, yet if they do then OUTSTANDING. (IF done right.) You have a lot of things they COULD be if they are done right.

Now exactly why am I talking about FRG's? Or even trying to make you understand what they do? Because they are positive programs if they are done right. Now my issued is this ... they wanted my volunteer hours to "shove it in the face of the new commander & 1SG" by giving me an award, they want my AKO email address so they can provide me with a website, they want me to decorate this & provide food for that. After I directly informed them that I want NOTHING to do with the FRG or the battery after being insulted & degrade. (When I get told "it's interesting how you can find this out when the LTC cannot." He's got more on his plate than I do. Or they blow off all the ideas I have.) Why do you want to give me an award to put it in the commander's face?? Why do you need my AKO email to give me a website? Plus when I said all I want from you is INFO (which I find before you give to me -- ouch), don't ask me to volunteer any more.

Recently I missed my 1st deployment briefing & not one person bothered to call me to find out why I wasn't there OR to provide me with the information that was given. That is what an FRG is suppose to do, ensure that it's memembers have that information. Lucky for me, I had gotten most of it before hand -- yet they didn't know that. I was sitting in the ER that night. But they didn't know that, & they didn't bother to call to provide me with any info. 3 weeks went by before I finally told someone, "oh really, I am sorry to hear that. But we know you know every thing, so we weren't worried." WTF? I don't know the mailing address or the Rear D's number & they ALWAYS update info. It doesn't matter how often you go though this, it is ALWAYS good to know what new info they give. (FYI lucky for me it's only a blasted out of state field problem & not out of county.)

I always go to the deployment briefings. That was I was taught growing up, you go & listen to everything ... because no matter what they have something you might need. Each one will effect you in a differt way. A damn good FRG should have made sure that each spouse not there got the info they missed. Come to find out that that wasn't the cause! I wasn't they only person who missed the meeting, some have actually dropped packages off at the battery -- which we were told was a no go. Yet I guess no one has told them to pick them up ... Hello, what is going on? Get off your ass & let these people know what is going on.

Guess it will be a fun upcoming really deployment.