DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY HEADQUARTERS AND HEADQUARTERS COMPANY 4TH INFANTRY BRIGADE COMBAT TEAM (AIRBORNE), 25TH INFANTRY DIVISION 724 POSTAL SERVICE LOOP #9600 REPLY TO ATTENTION OF JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, AK 99505 APVR-ABN-CDR 06 May 2014 MEMORANDUM FOR: 4/25 “Spartan” Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne)Members SUBJECT: Family Readiness Handbook 1. Fellow Spartans, one of the principle roles of the Family Readiness Group (FRG) is to assist its members in solving problems through referrals to support agencies. To assist with this task, the FRG has put together a Family Readiness Handbook (FRH) that includes helpful information about the many resources available on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson. Please take a moment to look through it. We hope you and your family will find it helpful. 2. The FRHwas designed by our Paratroopers andSpartan Family Members. It is meant to be a guide to help you locate resources when your loved one is deployed overseas in support of our great nation.As you look through it, if improvements to the guidecome to mind, pass them along to your FRG leader so we can incorporate your thoughts into the next update of the book. We welcome your suggestions. 3. As a member of the Spartan Brigade, you and your family are an integral part of our team. We sincerely appreciate all of the sacrifices you make in support of our brigade and our country. ArcticWarriors! Sparta Lives! MATTHEW W. MCFARLANE Spartan 6 FRANK E.HACKER Spartan 7 1 Table of Contents Subject Page Summary of Changes 3 The Family Readiness Group 4 About the Spartan Brigade 6 Traveling to Alaska 7 Driving the Alaskan Highway 7 Sponsorship 8 Base Housing on JBER 8 JBER Support for new arrivals 8 What is a deployment?. 9 Problem Solving Flow Chart 10 Important Telephone Numbers 11 Emergency Telephone Numbers 11 JBER-Richardson “Quick” Reference Numbers 11 JBER-Elmendorf “Quick” Reference Numbers 14 Dealing with Emergencies 14 673rd Medical Group Wing (Hospital) 15 Clinic Telephone Numbers 16 Armed Services YMCA Teddy Watch 16 Other helpful resources 17 Army Community Services 17 Family Support 19 Legal Assistance 20 JBER Religious Support 21 Religious Service Schedule 22 Helpful Websites 23 Operational Security 24 Home Security and Crime Prevention 25 Travel 26 Finances 28 Social Media 28 Notification Process 29 Preparing for Winter 30 Appendix A (Pre-Deployment Checklist) 33 Appendix B (Family Deployment Checklist) 34 Appendix C (Emergency Information Form) 37 Appendix D (Red Cross Notification Form) 38 Appendix E (Family Budget Worksheet) 39 Appendix F (Notification of Departure from the Area Form) 41 Appendix G (FRG Information Form) 42 Appendix H (Notification Information Flow Model) 43 Appendix I (Important Unit Phone Numbers Worksheet) 44 Appendix J (Battalion Family Readiness Group Standard Operating Procedure Example) 45 2 Summary of Changes Below is a list of changes to the BDE FRG Handbook Page 2 Abbreviate Family Readiness Handbook to FRH in subsequent use Page 5 Add “FRG is not a driveway shoveling service” Page 6 Change six Airborne BCTs to five Page 7 Change April to May Page 10 Change Sky Soldier to Spartan Update as of date Page 14 Change Appendix D to Appendix C Change Apprendix E to Appendix O Add JBER Hospital address Page 16 Change EAFB to JBER Page 25 Add name of form for Appendix F Page 26 Remove Appendix H –information is listed below Page 29 Add non serious injury or illness guidance Page 30 Add snow pants for children at recess Acronyms FRSA –Family Readiness Support Advisor FRG-Family Readiness Group FRH-FamilyReadiness Handbook BCT –Brigade Combat Team JBER –Joint Base Elmendorf -Richardson POC –Point of contact ABN -Airborne POA –Power of Attorney TDY –Temporary Duty As of 07 May 2014 3 Introduction The FRG Guide We hope you will use this handbook to assist your family. You will discover there are many areas of concern that go unnoticed until it is your family facing an unexpected situation. Please take time to fill in the information on the following page. Challenges and stresses accompany every deployment, even if it is a short training exercise. Being prepared can minimize the stress you may encounter. The Family Readiness Group The How: The concept of Family Readiness Groups (more commonly referred to as FRGs) is relatively new to our Army. While Army spouses have always supported each other, commanders of deployed units discovered that while their unit is highly trained to fight, little if anything was done to train and prepare families to better cope with the stresses and unique problems that often arise during extended, and often times, unexpected deployment of their Soldiers. Some type of organization was needed within each unit to address this serious shortcoming so that in a time of crisis, families would be better able to care for themselves. The concept of the Family Readiness Group was born. FRGs have proven invaluable in informing families during deployments. The What: A Family Readiness Group is an organization of mutual support, assistance, and a network of communication among the family members’ chain of command and community resources. Family Readiness Groups will differ between units, depending upon the commander, the leader, the number of families involved, and available resources. All FRGs throughout the Army share the same purpose; to empower Army families and make them independent rather than dependent. The role you play in your FRG is your choice. You are welcome to participate as much as you would like to or are able to. There are many projects to become involved in and each of them is important in their purpose. 4 FAMILY READINESS GROUPS: • Provide an effective way of gaining information, support, and control during deployment. • Empower families to become more knowledgeable and self-reliant • Promote more efficient use of community resources • Reduce Soldier and family member stress • Increase the Soldier’s ability to devote his or her full attention to the mission by offering reassurance that the family members have close, reliable, and friendly support • Care for each other • Provide a helping hand when needed • Are there to answer questions • Give moral support • Want to establish a sense of family within the unit • Access information and resources to help you solve problems • Help family members develop a more positive attitude toward themselves, the unit, the deployment, and the Army • Increase morale • Foster increased levels of cohesion and confidence for family members and Soldiers • Unite other family programs designed to improve the quality of life FAMILY READINESS GROUPS ARE NOT: • Part of the casualty notification process • A babysitting service • A surrogate parent • A social worker or counseling service • A taxi or bus service • A money loan agency • A lending service • A welfare agency • A lawn mowing service • A driveway shoveling service • A moving company • An auto repair service • A “club” • All things to all people. 5 About the Spartan Brigade The 3,800 Paratroopers of the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division are part of the Army’s only Arctic Airborne Infantry Brigade Combat Team, and one of only five Airborne BCTs. This unit has served the nation proudly in Iraq and Afghanistan over three combat deployments in its short history. We are combat-tested, and Pacific-focused, ready to answer the nation’s call to provide defense and humanitarian support anywhere in the Pacific Rim, anytime. The brigade is composed of six battalions, each one with its own history and culture. We welcome you to the Spartan Team, the only one like it in the Army! 6 Traveling to Alaska There are three ways to travel to Alaska – fly, drive, or ferry, or a combination. Winters in Alaska can start as early as September and last through May. It is advised to fly during this time of year unless you are experienced in driving in severe winter conditions (blizzards, extreme cold temperatures to minus 50 degrees Fahrenheit, black ice, long dark days). If you decide to drive we recommend The Mile Post magazine as a tool to help you with maps, motels, gas stations, etc. The Army will authorize shipping one car. It usually takes 3-4 weeks for cars to arrive from the East Coast. There are many rental car and taxi services as well as new and used car dealerships in Anchorage. Installation Shuttle Service. There is a shuttle service provided on the JBER-Elmendorf side of the installation, contact the Vehicle Operations Control Center, 907-552-4475 for route/times. There is no authorized shuttle on JBER-Richardson however, there is limited service provided by the Armed Services YMCA, 907-384-3733. To find the Richardson Welcome Center, take the Glenn Highway and exit at Fort Richardson. Present your ID at the checkpoint (or stop at the visitors center and request a map). You are currently on D Street. Follow D Street until you get to 6th Street. Turn left at 6th Street. Continue to the large public parking lot on the right; just before the 4- way intersection. The Welcome Center, is located in Building 600; report to Room 103 for in-processing. Driving the Alaskan Highway Driving is not command restricted but is not advised during the November to April time frames without in-depth research of the route and associated planning. Gas stations and motels along the ALCAN can be seasonal (closing for the winter) or even temporarily closed due to weather (forcing you to wait). Cell, and even in places, satellite phones, will not have a signal. You will be driving through Canada unless you reserve passage on the ferry into Whittier. Pets require health certificates and there are restrictions on certain animals and foodstuffs. Notify auto insurance and the lien holder on your vehicle to see if they have any restrictions or specific guidance for your travel through Canada. Legal issues (misdemeanors, DUIs), step-children & firearms: Canada has stipulations and restrictions on what you can transport and the requirements to cross. For more information, visit http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1082.html. 7 Sponsorship Alaska is considered an Overseas/OCONUS assignment. It is a requirement that all family members obtain an Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) screening prior to Soldiers approval for family travel to Alaska. Contact the EFMP manager at your losing installation to initiate the screening process. Soldiers can request the paperwork from the losing installation Levy section of Military Personnel or S1 section. Upon completion, each family member’s name will be amended to your orders and travel/transportation/housing arrangements can be made. To prepare for your move attend your Levy Briefing six months out. Each new arrival to the Spartan Brigade will be assigned a unit sponsor, someone who can answer questions and assist you during the transition to Alaska. To request a sponsor, go to http://www.usarak.army.mil/main/sponsorship.asp, or simply go to the brigade Facebook site and click on “Request a Sponsor.” Base Housing on JBER The JBER-Richardson Housing office is located in the Welcome Center, Building 600, on the corner of Richardson Drive and 5th Street, across the street from the Post Theater & Starbucks. Please make sure you stop by the housing office before signing a lease. When signing such a document, please ensure that there is a Military Clause in your lease agreement or bring it by the legal office, Building 600 (same building as ACS) on the Third Floor. This allows you a legal avenue to break your lease if you need to relocate for a PCS or deployment. The housing office will inform you of the status of on post housing availability. Aurora Housing is the provider for Privatized Housing (1 April 2011), contact 907-552- 4439/907-753-1023 or www.auroramilitaryhousing.com. There are three primary areas to look for off post housing: Anchorage (visit Municipality of Anchorage), Eagle River (visit: Eagle River area), or Mat-su Valley (visit: Mat-su Valley area). Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) is based on number of Command Sponsored dependents you have with you in Alaska or whether you live in the barracks. To determine your COLA visit the Defense Travel Per Diem website: http://www.defensetravel.dod.mil/site/colaCalc.cfm. JBER Support for New Arrivals The ACS Relocation Readiness Program (RRP) Lending Closet provides small kitchen appliances and kitchen items for temporary loan. Driving maps and community information and other ACS services/support is also available. There is a Newcomers 8 (Military & spouses) Orientation - mandatory for Soldiers, the First and Third Wednesday each month from 0900-1700 in the JBER-Richardson Education Center, Building 7 (across from Burger King). Spouses are highly encouraged to attend and FREE childcare is available by calling CYSS, 907-384-7483 – one week prior to your Newcomers Orientation. The Richardson Thrift Shop E4 and Below Warrior Program offers a $25.00 monthly clothing allowance program, good for all clothing, shoes, uniforms, and outer wear. The Thrift Shop is located in building 724 Quartermaster Rd. Door #8, near the Richardson Post Office. It is open 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and the first and third Saturday of each month from 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. For more information, call (907) 384-7000, or e-mail [email protected]. What is a Deployment? A deployment is any military duty away from home. It may be as short as an overnight exercise, or as long as an unaccompanied tour. The purpose of a deployment is to keep our military forces at the highest state of readiness possible and to meet our global military commitments. Your spouse may deploy at any time; although, most deployments are scheduled well in advance. Decisions and tasking often happen with short notices in the military, so it is very important to have your family affairs in order. By planning ahead now, you will handle unexpected situations that may come up during a deployment with more confidence, and have valuable tools to work with during the deployment. This handbook has been developed to help you and your family prepare for deployment, unaccompanied tours and extended temporary duty. Within these pages you will find helpful suggestions, pertinent information about post agencies, and suggested actions to take that are essential to your family's welfare. As with any separation, preparation is the key to success. 9 PPROBLEM SOLVING FLOW CHART Step 1: Can you find the agency or program to receive an answer or assistance in the Spartan FRG Do you have a problem you don’t know how to solve or a handbook or in other resources question you need an you have been given? answer to? If No, Step 2: Call one of these agencies, which assists Family Concerns, Finances, FAMILY ADVOCACY PROGRAM (907) 580-5858 Stress, or Substance Abuse. FAMILY LIFE CHAPLAIN (907) 384-5433 FAMILY SOCIAL WORK SERVICES (907) 382-1407 CONCERNS REAR DETACHMENT MILITARY ONE SOURCE 907-384-2366 1-800-464-8107 ARMY EMERGENCY RELIEF www.militaryonesource.com (907) 384-7478 User ID: army LEGAL ASSISTANCE Password: onesource (907) 384-0371 FINANCES MILITARY ONE SOURCE 1-800-464-8107 www.militaryonesource.com User ID: army Password: onesource DEPLOYMENT SUPPORT SOCIAL WORKERS DEPLOYMENT (907) 384-7687 / 6736 MILITARY ONE SOURCE STRESS 1-800-464-8107 www.militaryonesource.com ARMY SUBSTANCE ABUSE User ID: army PROGRAM Password: onesource (907) 384-3834 MILITARY ONE SOURCE ALCOHOL/ 1-800-464-8107 DRUGS www.militaryonesource.com User ID: army Password: onesource Step 3: If these agencies can not assist, call your Company FRG POC or your Company FRG Leader. Step 4: If your Company FRG Reps are not available, call the Rear Detachment Chain of Command at (907) 384-2366. As of:06 May 2014 10