SFRGs to the Rescue
Author’s note: This article is dedicated to many civilian personnel members that are motivated by service to military families, especially Angela Darland (Chief, Soldier and Family Assistance Branch, USAREC) and Tina Predmore (Soldier and Family Assistance Program Manager, Great Lakes Recruiting Battalion). I can rest easy knowing that you have the betterment of our soldiers and families at the forefront of your decisions in SFRGs.
I tend to write a lot about leadership. Maybe it’s because it’s in my DNA? Or maybe because I’m extremely fascinated by the intricacies of effective and non-effective leadership. But, my gut tells me that it’s because I’m genuinely invested in the growth and development of leaders, especially among our military spouse network.
About half of the family programs I’ve been exposed to in the Army for the past 15 years have been volunteer-led. ACS (Army Community Service), Soldier and Family Programs, and a slew of other beautiful resources the Army provides are on the chopping block as they aren’t being used.
One organization that I’ve always been actively involved in is the Soldier and Family Readiness Group, now known as SFRGs, but formerly referred to as Family Readiness Groups, or FRGs.
Steve Yearwood, program analyst for the Office of the Assistant Chief of Staff for Installation Management, says the name change from FRG to SFRG “links Soldier readiness to the family and clarifies the role of the SFRG to be more inclusive to soldiers who are single, act as single parents, or have non-traditional families.”
I’ve always considered every single person in our platoon, company, unit, battalion, brigade, and even command, part of our family. I guarantee the relationships we’ve made throughout the years are stronger because of that mindset and feel that it’s up to SFRGs to step up and continue their intent to take care of our greater Army family.
The experience you have with a spouse today can affect their entire future outlook and investment regarding SFRGs. It did mine.
I recently reached out to my military people who’ve been members of an SFRG or who have served in an SFRG leadership role. The feedback received was overwhelming! I asked for the good, the bad, and the neutral as to what makes a successful SFRG experience. In fact, I have so much information, I plan to initiate a full-blown research project on SFRGs with a focus on leadership.
After all, at the end of the day, any organization is only as successful as it’s leader. When leadership fails, the organization fails, which is tragic, especially in SFRGs. The genuine care and concern for the integrity of the SFRG and the people in it should remain at the forefront of leadership’s decisions and actions.
Always.
I’m sure at least a handful of readers are thinking, “I’ve had a bad experience, so I’m not touching that with a ten-foot pole,” and I’m totally with your logic. Energy management has saved my mental and emotional health here lately. But getting back to the past, I urge you to leave it there and practice forward thinking. If you have something to offer your SFRG, please do it. I guarantee they need your skill set, time, talent, and investment into the collective family mission.
When leaders lead with integrity, humility, passion, empathy, selfless service, and tenacity, I’ll follow them anywhere.
I not only practice self-awareness as a leader, but as a follower. Sometimes, you have to be a good follower and possess the capacity to know when you should stay in the follower lane. However, if you feel your SFRG leader’s intent is dishonest, this is one of those times to practice your energy management and focus on your priorities (family, job, school, self, other).
If you see a train wreck, walk away! You aren’t expected to fix past mistakes, attitudes, failures, or misgivings. Nor should you follow for the sake of following.
You’re in control of your own self.
When good leadership is in place, the sky’s the limit. A major component of success is aligning the organizational mission with a shared vision as a team. If you’re thinking about taking a leadership position in your SFRG, make sure you meet with command leadership and know the expectations. Don’t be afraid to ask questions or ask for help or guidance, because your Army family is counting on you to lead.
