So You’re an SFRG Advisor…

If you’re new to the SFRG Advisor position, welcome! It’s gonna be a wild and crazy ride. But one that hopefully brings families, spouses, and soldiers closer together.

I’m still new to this position, not even in it a year yet. But I have already gotten some great advice from other SFRG advisors. This advice has helped me greatly. Hopefully, these tips can help you as well.

Contact List

Use the SFRG contact list to reach out to everyone via text message. In this text, you can introduce yourself, let them know about any upcoming events, let them know if you have a private Facebook group page, and ask them if they want to be in a Facebook group chat if you have one. I would also make sure you have the correct email address for them.

Keep Contact List Updated

Consider creating your own inprocessing SFRG document. This is something that the soldiers that handle inprocessing can hand out to new soldiers and then give back to you. This way, you can keep the SFRG contact list the most up-to-date.

Documents with Resources

Consider creating accessible documents highlighting available resources for soldiers and military families. This should include location, phone number, email address, etc., if possible. You can also create documents with local things to do, restaurants, things to do with kids, etc.

Facebook Group Page

Consider creating a private Facebook group page if one doesn’t already exist. Create a list of questions that people who want to join have to answer. That way you can double check that they are in your SFRG. On the group page you can share photos of things the company does, upcoming events, a reminder that you sent out an email, etc.

Facebook Group Chat

Create a Facebook group chat with spouses. When texting spouses, you can include this question in the message. The chat is another way to push out information. But more importantly, it’s there so you have other people who are going through similar things and whose spouse is on the same schedule.

Family-Friendly Dinners

Consider hosting family-friendly dinners when the soldiers are away. A messy bun, come as you are kind of dinner. Kids and all. When your SFRG is established, you can make this a potluck.

I always treat conversations that I have with spouses as confidential and I tell them that. I want them to be able to trust me and not have to watch what they say around me. This hopefully helps them to feel comfortable to come to me if they need something. But remember to not take it all on by yourself—look into getting a Co-Advisor.

Best of luck in your SFRG adventure! If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to me. I’m happy to help out however I can.