The Guards ability to assist service members and their families to prepare for separations during short and long term deployments is paramount to sustaining mission capabilities and mission readiness. The Reserve components have worked closely with their parent services to develop seamless, integrated family readiness and support programs that provide information and services Guard members.
Educating unit members about their benefits and entitlements is the most fundamental and yet most challenging aspect of any Family Readiness Program. It is fundamental because every member must understand their basic benefits and entitlements and be aware of the vast network of support agencies and organizations created to support them and their families. It is also complex because the regulations and laws that govern them change often so it is critical that your unit members have the most current and relevant information. There are literally tens of thousands of people in many organizations who make it their duty to support Military Families. Connecting them to members of your unit is a continual task and no command staff can do it well without the assistance of volunteers and organizations that can fill the gaps.