R 211530Z AUG 08
MARADMIN 461/08
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC/MR//
SUBJ/TRANSITIONING THE MARINE CORPS FAMILY READINESS PROGRAM//
REF/A/MSGID:DOC/34TH CMC PG/-//
REF/B/MSGID:DOC/MARADMIN 099 08/-//
REF/C/MSGID:DOC/MARADMIN 112 07/-//
REF/D/MSGID:FAMILY READINESS /COMMAND TEAM HANDBOOK/-//
REF/E/MSGID:DOC/MCO 1754.6A/-//
REF/F/MSGID:DOC/NAVMC DIRECTIVE 1754.6A/-//
REF/G/MSGID:10 USC 1588/-/-//
AMPN/REF A IS 34TH COMMANDANT OF THE MARINE CORPS PLANNING
GUIDANCE/REF B IS MARADMIN 099/08, PRIMARY DUTY FAMILY READINESS
OFFICERS/REF C IS MARADMIN 112/07, MARINE CORPS COMBAT/OPERATIONAL
STRESS CONTROL PROGRAM/REF D IS THE FAMILY READINESS COMMAND TEAM
HANDBOOK, REF E IS MCO 1754.6A, MARINE CORPS FAMILY TEAM
BUILDING/REF F IS NAVMC 1754.6A, MARINE CORPS FAMILY TEAM
BUILDING/REF G IS AUTHORITY TO ACCEPT CERTAIN VOLUNTARY SERVICES//
POC/K. A. GATES/NF-4/UNIT:HQMC MRZ/-/TEL:DSN 278-0296
/EMAIL:MCFTB@USMC.MIL//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1. PURPOSE. TO ANNOUNCE THE CHANGES AND OUTLINE
THE CONCEPTS AND GUIDANCE FOR TRANSITIONING THE MARINE CORPS FAMILY
READINESS PROGRAM.
2. BACKGROUND
A. REFERENCE (A) DIRECTED THE TRANSITION OF FAMILY SUPPORT
PROGRAMS TO A WARTIME FOOTING.
B. TO COMPLY WITH THE COMMANDANT'S GUIDANCE, TWO SEPARATE
ASSESSMENTS WERE CONDUCTED. THE ASSESSMENTS IDENTIFIED SIMILAR
DEFICIENCIES OR NEEDS.
(1) THE MARINE CORPS FAMILY TEAM BUILDING (MCFTB)
FUNCTIONALITY ASSESSMENT (FA), CONDUCTED IN MAY 2007, DETERMINED OUR
CURRENT FAMILY READINESS PROGRAMS DO NOT ADEQUATELY SUPPORT THE
INCREASED DEMANDS OF MULTIPLE, SUSTAINED DEPLOYMENTS AND MUST BE
ADAPTED TO MEET THE COMMANDANT'S WARTIME FOOTING MANDATE. THE MCFTB
FA FOUND THAT TODAY'S (2007) FAMILY READINESS PROGRAMS ARE
STRUCTURED TO A PEACETIME MODEL WITH INSUFFICIENT PERSONNEL AND
FUNDING, EXCESSIVE RELIANCE ON VOLUNTEERS, UNREALISTIC EXPECTATIONS
OF VOLUNTEERS, AND ANTIQUATED COMMUNICATION PROCESSES.
(2) THE INSPECTOR GENERAL OF THE MARINE CORPS (IGMC)
PUBLISHED A FAMILY READINESS ASSESSMENT IN JUNE 2007. THE IGMC
ASSESSMENT ALSO FOUND THAT TODAY'S (2007) FAMILY READINESS PROGRAMS
RELY INORDINATELY ON VOLUNTEERS, PROVIDE INSUFFICIENT MILITARY AND
PAID CIVILIAN SUPPORT, ARE INSUFFICIENTLY FUNDED, AND ARE HINDERED
BY THE LACK OF MODERN TECHNOLOGY.
C. THE COMMANDANT DIRECTED THAT THE FINDINGS AND
RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE MCFTB FA BE PRESENTED FOR DECISION AT THE
SEPTEMBER 2007 EXECUTIVE OFF-SITE. THE COMMANDANT AND THE SENIOR
MARINE CORPS LEADERSHIP APPROVED THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE MCFTB FA
AND COMMITTED UNPRECEDENTED STEADY-STATE RESOURCES TO ENHANCE MCFTB
AND FAMILY READINESS PROGRAMS.
D. THE COMMANDANT REQUIRES THAT THE MARINE CORPS AS AN
INSTITUTION, AND EACH MARINE AND MARINE LEADER INDIVIDUALLY, UNDERGO
A COMPLETE SHIFT IN THE APPROACH TO, AND EXECUTION OF, PERSONAL AND
FAMILY READINESS AND SUPPORT.
E. THE NEW MCFTB PROGRAM AND UNIT FAMILY READINESS PROGRAM ARE
CHARACTERIZED BY THE MARINE CORPS SHOULDERING ITS RESPONSIBILITY BY
HOLDING MARINES ACCOUNTABLE FOR ATTAINING AND MAINTAINING PERSONAL
AND FAMILY READINESS, EXPANDING THE DEFINITION OF FAMILY,
APPROPRIATELY UTILIZING VOLUNTEER SUPPORT, AND COMMITTING THE
NECESSARY FINANCIAL, PERSONNEL, AND TECHNOLOGICAL RESOURCES TO
RESOLVE THE SHORTCOMINGS OF FORMER PRACTICES. MARINES AND THEIR
FAMILIES ARE SUPPORTED BY THE ENDURING PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE
UNIT'S FAMILY READINESS COMMAND TEAM AND MARINE CORPS COMMUNITY
SERVICES (MCCS) TEAM.
F. TRANSITION TO THE NEW PROGRAMS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN FOUR
KEY AREAS.
(1) THE FIRST AND MOST VISIBLE PART OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF
THE NEW FAMILY READINESS PROGRAM WILL BE THE POSITION OF FAMILY
READINESS OFFICER (FRO). THE FRO WILL NOT DEPLOY WITH THE UNIT AND
THEIR PRIMARY (FULL-TIME) DUTY WILL BE EXECUTING THE UNIT'S FAMILY
READINESS PROGRAM. THERE ARE THREE TYPES OF FROS AUTHORIZED;
FULL-TIME CIVILIANS, ACTIVE-DUTY STAFF MARINES, OR RETIRED/RETAIN
STAFF NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICER (SNCO) MARINES. FULL-TIME CIVILIANS
WILL BE HIRED BY THE COMMANDER THROUGH THE MCCS HR PROCESS.
COMMANDERS ALSO HAVE THE OPTION OF APPOINTING A MILITARY FRO FROM
WITHIN UNIT RESOURCES OR THEY MAY PURSUE A RETIRED/RETAIN SNCO
MARINE IN ACCORDANCE WITH REFERENCE (B). DEPUTY FROS MAY BE
UTILIZED BY COMMANDERS FOR GEOGRAPHICALLY SEPARATED PARTS OF THE
UNIT. DEPUTY FROS WILL BE MILITARY PERSONNEL, ASSIGNED ON EITHER A
FULL OR PART-TIME BASIS, AND WILL BE SOURCED FROM WITHIN THE
COMMANDER'S RESOURCES.
(2) SECOND, IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NEW FAMILY READINESS
PROGRAM REQUIRES COMPLETELY ALTERING OUR APPROACH TO VOLUNTEER
SUPPORT. VOLUNTEERS ARE A KEY PIECE OF FAMILY READINESS AND WILL
REMAIN A VITAL PART OF THE NEW FAMILY READINESS PROGRAM. VOLUNTEER
DUTIES WILL BE CLEARLY DEFINED AND THE APPLICATION, SCREENING,
SELECTION, AND APPOINTMENT PROCESS WILL BE FORMALIZED,
PROFESSIONALIZED AND STANDARDIZED THROUGHOUT THE MARINE CORPS. A
LARGE MAJORITY OF THE BURDEN VOLUNTEERS SHOULDERED IN THE FORMER
UNIT FAMILY READINESS PROGRAM WILL BE ASSUMED BY THE FULL-TIME FRO.
(3) THIRD, MCCS WILL HAVE THE NECESSARY RESOURCES TO
INCREASE STAFF TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL TRAINING, EDUCATION, AND
SUPPORT TO THE UNIT FAMILY READINESS PROGRAM REGARDLESS OF
GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION. MCCS WILL PROVIDE COORDINATORS AT ALL MARINE
CORPS INSTALLATIONS. MCFTB WILL PROVIDE ADDITIONAL SUPPORT THROUGH:
READINESS AND DEPLOYMENT SUPPORT TRAINERS, A NEW POSITION; FAMILY
READINESS PROGRAM TRAINERS; AND LIFESKILLS TRAINERS, ALSO A NEW
POSITION. L.I.N.K.S. WILL BE EXPANDED AND COORDINATED BY A
FULL-TIME, PAID L.I.N.K.S. TRAINER, FORMERLY A VOLUNTEER POSITION.
THESE POSITIONS WILL TRAIN AND EDUCATE USING STANDARDIZED MATERIALS
PROVIDED BY HQMC, THUS PROVIDING MARINES AND FAMILIES ACCESS TO THE
TOOLS NEEDED TO ACHIEVE AND MAINTAIN THEIR PERSONAL AND FAMILY
READINESS.
(4) FOURTH, TECHNOLOGY ENABLERS WILL BE A KEY PART OF
IMPLEMENTING THE NEW FAMILY READINESS PROGRAMS AND SUPPORTING THE
ADDITIONAL DUTIES OF FULL-TIME FROS. SPECIFICALLY, THE MARINE CORPS
WILL IMPLEMENT A MASS COMMUNICATION TOOL, A FAMILY READINESS
ASSESSMENT TOOL, A VOLUNTEER TRACKING TOOL, AND LATER, A FAMILY
READINESS ROADMAP ATTACHED TO MARINE ONLINE. THE NEW TECHNOLOGY
WILL ENABLE THE FULL-TIME FRO TO BETTER SUPPORT MARINES AND FAMILIES
AND TO COMMUNICATE WITH ALL MARINES AND DESIGNATED FAMILIES OF THE
UNIT.
3. ACTION
A. CONCEPT OF OPERATIONS
(1) FAMILY READINESS IS A COMBAT MULTIPLIER, EQUALLY AS
IMPORTANT AS INDIVIDUAL, EQUIPMENT, AND COMBAT READINESS. IT IS THE
ABILITY OF THE INDIVIDUAL MARINE AND THEIR FAMILY TO SUCCESSFULLY
BALANCE LIFE, CAREER, AND MISSION EVENTS, AND IS SUPPORTED BY THE
ENDURING PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE UNIT'S FAMILY READINESS COMMAND
TEAM AND THE MCCS TEAM. IT IS AN OBLIGATION BETWEEN THE CORPS AND
THE MARINE AND THEIR ENTIRE FAMILY. THE INDIVIDUAL MARINE IS
RESPONSIBLE AND ACCOUNTABLE FOR HIS PERSONAL AND FAMILY READINESS.
THE UNIT FAMILY READINESS PROGRAM IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE
COMMANDER. MCCS IS RESPONSIBLE TO SUPPORT BOTH THE INDIVIDUAL
MARINE AND THEIR FAMILY AS WELL AS THE UNIT FAMILY READINESS
PROGRAM.
(2) "FAMILY" IS DEFINED AS ALL MEMBERS OF A MARINE'S FAMILY,
INCLUDING THE FAMILY THEY ARE BORN INTO, SWORN INTO, AND MARRIED
INTO. (NOTE: THIS EXTENDED DEFINITION OF FAMILY DOES NOT OVERRIDE
THE MARINE CORPS LEGAL DEFINITIONS OF FAMILY AND LOCO-PARENTIS
REGARDING EMERGENCY LEAVE, DEERS ENROLLMENT ISSUES, ETC.) FAMILY
SUPPORT SHALL BE ACCESSIBLE TO MARINES (REGARDLESS OF MARITAL
STATUS), SPOUSES, CHILDREN, WARDS, AND THE DESIGNATED
PARENTS/EXTENDED FAMILY MEMBERS OF MARINES THROUGHOUT THE LIFECYCLE
OF THE MARINE. FOR BREVITY AND SIMPLICITY, THIS MARADMIN MERELY
REFERS TO SUPPORT OF "MARINES AND FAMILIES." THIS SHALL NOT BE
INTERPRETED AS BEING EXCLUSIVE. SUPPORT WILL BE PROVIDED TO ALL
UNIT MILITARY MEMBERS (REGARDLESS OF BRANCH OF SERVICE) ASSIGNED
DUTY WITH THE MARINE CORPS AS WELL AS CIVILIANS ATTACHED TO MARINE
CORPS UNITS OR DEPLOYING IN SUPPORT OF MARINE CORPS COMMUNITY
SERVICES AND THEIR FAMILIES.
(3) A MARINE MUST ENSURE THEIR PERSONAL AND FAMILY AFFAIRS
ARE IN ORDER SO THAT THEY WILL REMAIN FULLY FOCUSED ON THE MISSION,
WHETHER IN GARRISON OR IN COMBAT. A READY MARINE AND FAMILY:
(A) ARE PREPARED FOR FAMILY SEPARATIONS AND LIFE
EVENTS.
(B) UNDERSTAND THE ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES THAT WILL
FALL ON THE FAMILY WHEN THE MARINE DEPARTS.
(C) ARE KNOWLEDGEABLE OF, AND ABLE TO UTILIZE
INFORMATION ABOUT, BENEFITS, ENTITLEMENTS, PROGRAMS, AND SERVICES
PROVIDED.
(D) ARE KNOWLEDGEABLE OF COMMAND STRUCTURE AND RESOURCES
AVAILABLE TO ASSIST AND CONTRIBUTE TO PERSONAL AND FAMILY READINESS
GOALS.
(4) UNIT FAMILY READINESS PROGRAM. THE UNIT FAMILY
READINESS PROGRAM SHALL PROVIDE SUPPORT THROUGH PROACTIVE OUTREACH
AND INTERVENTION IN THE FORM OF THE FOLLOWING FUNCTIONS: OFFICIAL
COMMUNICATION; INFORMATION AND REFERRAL; AND MARINE AND FAMILY
READINESS AND DEPLOYMENT SUPPORT (RDS).
(5) THE UNIT FAMILY READINESS PROGRAM DOES NOT REPLACE SMALL
UNIT LEADERSHIP. THE COMMANDER AND OTHER MEMBERS OF THE FAMILY
READINESS COMMAND TEAM LEADERSHIP MUST INSTILL IN SUBORDINATE
LEADERS OF ALL RANKS, DOWN TO THE LOWEST LEVELS, A SENSE OF THE
GRAVITY AND URGENCY INVOLVED IN REQUIRING THEIR MARINES TO SUSTAIN
THEMSELVES AND THEIR FAMILIES IN A CONSTANT STATE OF READINESS.
(6) FAMILY READINESS COMMAND TEAM. THE FAMILY READINESS
COMMAND TEAM EXECUTES THE UNIT FAMILY READINESS PROGRAM, AND
INCLUDES THE COMMANDER, COMMANDER'S SPOUSE (OPTIONAL), EXECUTIVE
OFFICER, SERGEANT MAJOR (OR SENIOR ENLISTED PERSONNEL), SERGEANT
MAJOR'S (OR SENIOR ENLISTED PERSONNEL'S) SPOUSE (OPTIONAL),
CHAPLAIN, FRO, DEPUTY FRO (AS NEEDED), FAMILY READINESS ADVISORS,
FAMILY READINESS ASSISTANTS, AND MORALE SUPPORT VOLUNTEERS.
B. EXECUTION
(1) UNIT FAMILY READINESS PROGRAM. AS OUTLINED ABOVE, THE
UNIT FAMILY READINESS PROGRAM EXECUTES THE FOLLOWING FUNCTIONS. EACH
IS DEFINED BELOW:
(A) OFFICIAL COMMUNICATION. FACILITATING TWO-WAY
COMMUNICATIONS BETWEEN THE COMMAND, MARINES, AND FAMILIES (AS
DEFINED ABOVE) REGARDING UNIT, PERSONAL AND FAMILY READINESS
INFORMATION AND REQUIREMENTS.
(B) INFORMATION AND REFERRAL. PROVIDING MARINES AND
THEIR FAMILIES (AS DEFINED ABOVE) WITH INFORMATION REGARDING, AND
ANSWERING QUESTIONS RELATING TO, THE MANY SERVICES AND RESOURCES
AVAILABLE TO SUPPORT UNIT, PERSONAL AND FAMILY READINESS.
(C) MARINE AND FAMILY RDS. ASSISTING MARINES IN
CREATING STABLE, RESILIENT, SELF-SUFFICIENT FAMILIES, THROUGH
PREVENTION AND INTERVENTION EDUCATION.
(2) FAMILY READINESS COMMAND TEAM. THE FAMILY READINESS
COMMAND TEAM EXECUTES THE UNIT FAMILY READINESS PROGRAM. FAMILY
READINESS COMMAND TEAM MEMBERS MUST DEMONSTRATE TO MARINES AND
FAMILIES THE IMPORTANCE OF FAMILY READINESS THROUGH ACTIVE AND
VISIBLE PRESENCE AND INVOLVEMENT IN FAMILY READINESS EFFORTS.
COMMUNICATION, COORDINATION AND SUPPORT AMONG THE TEAM MEMBERS ARE
READINESS MULTIPLIERS AND THEREFORE, ESSENTIAL TO MISSION READINESS.
THE COMMANDER AND OTHER MEMBERS OF THE FAMILY READINESS COMMAND
TEAM LEADERSHIP MUST INSTILL IN SUBORDINATE LEADERS OF ALL RANKS,
DOWN TO THE LOWEST LEVELS, A SENSE OF THE GRAVITY AND URGENCY
INVOLVED IN REQUIRING THEIR MARINES TO SUSTAIN THEMSELVES AND THEIR
FAMILIES IN A CONSTANT STATE OF READINESS.
(3) FAMILY READINESS OFFICER
(A) THE FRO IS THE FACE OF THE COMMANDER'S VISION FOR
FAMILY READINESS AND WILL PROVIDE DIRECT COORDINATION FOR THE UNIT
FAMILY READINESS PROGRAM. THE FRO IS THE PIVOTAL MEMBER OF THE
FAMILY READINESS COMMAND TEAM. THE FRO SHALL BE EMPLOYED ON A
FULL-TIME BASIS, AND SHALL NOT DEPLOY.
(B) THE FROS PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY WILL BE FAMILY
SUPPORT. THE FRO SHOULD IDEALLY NOT BE ASSIGNED ADDITIONAL UNIT
RESPONSIBILITIES. THE FROS DUTIES FALL INTO THE FOLLOWING
CATEGORIES: OFFICIAL COMMUNICATION; READINESS AND DEPLOYMENT
SUPPORT; INFORMATION AND REFERRAL; FAMILY OUTREACH;
ADMINISTRATIVE/LOGISTICAL; EVENT MANAGEMENT; AND VOLUNTEER
MANAGEMENT.
(C) FURTHER GUIDANCE WILL BE ISSUED IN A SUBSEQUENT
MARADMIN REGARDING MANNING/STAFFING PROCESSES AND TIMELINES.
(4) FAMILY READINESS VOLUNTEERS UNDER AUTHORITY OF 10 USC
1588
(A) UNIT FAMILY READINESS ADVISORS AND ASSISTANTS SHALL
BE SCREENED, INTERVIEWED, SELECTED AND APPOINTED BY THE COMMANDER,
AND TRAINED BY INSTALLATION MCFTB STAFF. THEIR PRIMARY MISSION IS
TO SUPPORT THE FRO IN THEIR OFFICIAL UNIT FAMILY READINESS PROGRAM
RESPONSIBILITIES (E.G., WELCOMING FAMILIES, INFORMATION AND
REFERRAL, PROVIDING FEEDBACK FROM FAMILIES, ETC.) TO INCREASE
EFFECTIVENESS, UNIT FAMILY READINESS VOLUNTEERS SHOULD BE DIVERSE
AND COMPRISED OF BOTH OFFICER AND ENLISTED SPOUSES, AS WELL AS
PARENTS/EXTENDED FAMILY MEMBERS. THE DUTIES OF UNIT FAMILY
READINESS ADVISORS AND ASSISTANTS ARE DISTINCTLY DIFFERENT THAN
THOSE OF MORALE SUPPORT VOLUNTEERS. AS SUCH, UNIT FAMILY READINESS
ADVISORS AND ASSISTANTS SHALL NOT BE ADDITIONALLY ASSIGNED MORALE
SUPPORT RESPONSIBILITIES.
(B) UNIT MORALE SUPPORT VOLUNTEERS SUPPORT EVENT-DRIVEN
REQUIREMENTS OF THE UNIT (E.G., PLANNING AND EXECUTING HOLIDAY
PARTIES, FAMILY DAYS, ETC.). SUCH VOLUNTEER SERVICES ARE DISTINCTLY
SEPARATE FROM THOSE OF THE UNIT FAMILY READINESS ADVISORS AND
ASSISTANTS. MORALE SUPPORT VOLUNTEERS SHALL NOT BE ADDITIONALLY
ASSIGNED OFFICIAL UNIT FAMILY READINESS PROGRAM RESPONSIBILITIES.
(C) COMMANDER AND SERGEANT MAJOR (OR SENIOR ENLISTED
ADVISOR) SPOUSES HAVE AN OPEN INVITATION TO SERVE IN THE UNIT FAMILY
READINESS PROGRAM AS A MEMBER OF THE FAMILY READINESS COMMAND TEAM
IN ORDER TO BEST LEVERAGE THEIR EXPERIENCE AND UNIQUE INSIGHT.
THESE VOLUNTEERS ARE NOT SUBJECT TO THE APPLICATION, SCREENING,
INTERVIEWING, AND APPOINTMENT PROCESS.
(D) FAMILY READINESS VOLUNTEERS ARE SUBJECT TO THE
PRIVACY ACT.
(5) MARINE CORPS COMMUNITY SERVICES (MCCS) COORDINATOR
BILLETS SHALL BE ESTABLISHED AT ALL MARINE CORPS INSTALLATIONS.
(A) THE MCCS COORDINATOR IS EMPLOYED BY THE INSTALLATION
MCCS, WORKS DIRECTLY FOR THE MCCS DIRECTOR, AND ACTS AS AN MCCS
LIAISON TO THE UNIT COMMANDERS, FROS, AND THE STAFF OF EACH
GEOGRAPHIC/FUNCTIONAL AREA OF THE INSTALLATION. IDEALLY, ONE MCCS
COORDINATOR WILL BE ASSIGNED TO EACH AREA COMMANDER TO SUPPORT THOSE
UNITS WITHIN THAT AREA BY COORDINATING WITH UNIT COMMANDERS AND
FROS.
(B) THE MCCS COORDINATOR ALSO SERVES AS A CONDUIT
THROUGH WHICH THE COMMANDER AND STAFF CAN GAIN KNOWLEDGE OF, AND
DIRECT ACCESS TO, THE MANY SERVICES OFFERED BY MCCS.
(6) AS DISCUSSED IN PARAGRAPH 2F(3) ABOVE, THE MCFTB PROGRAM SHALL
BE RE-ORGANIZED AND COMPRISED OF THE FOLLOWING COMPONENTS: RDS;
FAMILY READINESS PROGRAM TRAINING; L.I.N.K.S. TRAINING; AND
LIFESKILLS TRAINING AND EDUCATION. EACH COMPONENT IS FURTHER
DEFINED BELOW:
(A) RDS TRAINING IS DELIVERED BY THE READINESS AND
DEPLOYMENT SUPPORT TRAINER (RDST). RDST DUTIES INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT
LIMITED TO:
(1) COORDINATION AND DELIVERY OF PRE-, DURING AND
POST-DEPLOYMENT BRIEFS AND SUPPORT AT THE UNIT LEVEL. SEE REFERENCE
(C).
(2) DIRECT LIAISON TO THE UNIT FROS, ASSISTING WITH
VARIOUS FAMILY READINESS MATTERS, FACILITATION OF THE FAMILY
READINESS ASSESSMENT TOOL, PROVIDING FEEDBACK FOR CURRENT TRENDS AND
ISSUES, AND PROVIDING RECOMMENDATIONS FOR IMPROVEMENTS IN SERVICES
TO THE MCFTB DIRECTOR.
(3) COORDINATION WITH OTHER MCFTB PROGRAMS TO
FACILITATE FULFILLMENT OF UNIT-SPECIFIC FAMILY READINESS TRAINING
NEEDS, AS REQUIRED.
(B) FAMILY READINESS PROGRAM TRAINING IS DELIVERED BY
THE FAMILY READINESS PROGRAM TRAINER (FRPT). FRPT DUTIES INCLUDE,
BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:
(1) FAMILY READINESS COMMAND TEAM TRAINING, FRO
TRAINING, AND FAMILY READINESS VOLUNTEER TRAINING.
(2) COORDINATION WITH OTHER MCFTB PROGRAMS TO
FACILITATE FULFILLMENT OF UNIT-SPECIFIC FAMILY READINESS TRAINING
NEEDS, AS REQUIRED.
(C) L.I.N.K.S. TRAINING IS PROVIDED BY THE L.I.N.K.S.
TRAINER. L.I.N.K.S. TRAINER DUTIES INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:
(1) SESSIONS FOR SPOUSES, MARINES, PARENTS, TEENS,
AND SCHOOL-AGE CHILDREN. THE FOCUS OF THE PROGRAM WILL REMAIN ON
EDUCATION REGARDING THE RESOURCES AVAILABLE AND METHODS FOR MEETING
THE CHALLENGES OF THE MILITARY LIFESTYLE.
(2) RECRUITMENT, TRAINING, RECOGNITION, AND
SUPERVISION OF L.I.N.K.S. VOLUNTEERS.
(3) COORDINATION WITH OTHER MCFTB PROGRAMS TO
FACILITATE FULFILLMENT OF UNIT-SPECIFIC FAMILY READINESS TRAINING
NEEDS, AS REQUIRED.
(D) LIFESKILLS TRAINING AND EDUCATION IS PROVIDED BY THE
LIFESKILLS TRAINER. LIFESKILLS TRAINER DUTIES INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT
LIMITED TO:
(1) COORDINATION AND DELIVERY OF FAMILY READINESS
TRAINING COVERING A BROAD SPECTRUM OF LIFE COMPETENCIES.
(2) COORDINATION BETWEEN THE INSTALLATION MCFTB
STAFF AND THE INSTALLATION MARINE AND FAMILY SERVICES (MFS) STAFF,
REFERRING FAMILIES TO THE MANY SERVICES OFFERED BY MFS. IN ADDITION,
PROVIDES TRAINING CURRICULA NOT OFFERED BY MFS.
(3) COORDINATION WITH PRIVATE ORGANIZATIONS OFFERING
COMMUNITY SERVICES AND LIFESKILLS TRAINING.
(4) DUTIES RELATED TO THE SPOUSES' LEARNING SERIES
PREVIOUSLY HELD BY OTHER MEMBERS OT THE MCFTB STAFF.
(5) COORDINATION OF PREP. REMAINS IN ACCORDANCE
WITH REFERENCES (E) AND (F).
(6) COORDINATION OF CREDO. REMAINS IN ACCORDANCE
WITH REFERENCES (E) AND (F).
(7) COORDINATION WITH OTHER MCFTB PROGRAMS TO
FACILITATE FULFILLMENT OF UNIT-SPECIFIC FAMILY READINESS TRAINING
NEEDS, AS REQUIRED.
(7) TECHNOLOGY. TECHNOLOGY ENABLERS WILL BE A KEY PART OF
IMPLEMENTING THE NEW FAMILY READINESS PROGRAMS AND SUPPORTING THE
ADDITIONAL DUTIES OF FULL-TIME FROS. THE MARINE CORPS WILL PROCURE
A MASS COMMUNICATION TOOL, A FAMILY READINESS ASSESSMENT TOOL, A
VOLUNTEER TRACKING TOOL, AND LATER, A FAMILY READINESS ROADMAP
ATTACHED TO MARINE ONLINE. FURTHER GUIDANCE WILL BE ISSUED IN A
FUTURE MARADMIN REGARDING THE TECHNOLOGIES.
(8) TECHNOLOGY WILL ENSURE VOLUNTEER MANAGEMENT SHALL BE
STANDARDIZED AND WILL INCLUDE A WEB-BASED VOLUNTEER TRACKING TOOL
COMPLEMENTED BY THE STANDARDIZED VOLUNTEER RECOGNITION PROGRAM.
FURTHER GUIDANCE WILL BE ISSUED IN A FUTURE MARADMIN.
(9) UNIT COMMANDERS SHALL BE PROVIDED FUNDS, AS OUTLINED IN
REFERENCE (D), TO SUPPORT FAMILY READINESS FUNCTIONS. WITH FUNDING
AUTHORIZATIONS, COMMANDERS SHOULD TAKE ACTION TO EXPRESSLY LIMIT
FUNDRAISING ACTIVITIES THAT PREVIOUSLY SUPPORTED OFFICIAL FAMILY
READINESS REQUIREMENTS.
(10) INSTALLATION MCFTB SUPPORT COUNCILS SHALL BE RENAMED
FAMILY READINESS SUPPORT COUNCILS, AND SHALL BE RECONSTITUTED WITH
THE INSTALLATION MCFTB STAFF AND UNIT FAMILY READINESS PROGRAM
COMMAND TEAM PERSONNEL REFLECTED HEREIN.
(11) HQMC ISSUED REVISED MCFTB FAMILY READINESS MARKETING
MATERIALS IN JANUARY 2008. CURRENT FAMILY READINESS TRAINING AND
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS MAY BE USED AS REQUIRED TO SUPPORT THE
TRANSITION DISCUSSED IN PARAGRAPH 6 BELOW. NEW FAMILY READINESS
TRAINING MATERIALS WILL BE DEVELOPED AND PROVIDED TO MCFTB STAFF.
C. SUBORDINATE ELEMENT MISSIONS
(1) DEPUTY COMMANDANT, MANPOWER AND RESERVE AFFAIRS, PROVIDE
IMPLEMENTATION POLICY AND INSTRUCTIONS.
(2) FAMILY READINESS COMMITTEE (FRC) OF THE MCCS BOARD OF
DIRECTORS (BOD).
(A) OBTAIN ONGOING IMPLEMENTATION FEEDBACK AND RESOLVE
ISSUES AS APPROPRIATE.
(B) REPORT TO MCCS BOD ON STATUS AND IMPLEMENTATION OF
ACTIONS DESCRIBED HEREIN.
(C) PROVIDE RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING IMPLEMENTATION
POLICY AND INSTRUCTIONS.
(3) DIRECTOR, PERSONAL AND FAMILY READINESS DIVISION
(MR)/PROGRAM SPONSOR. MR SERVES AS THE MARINE CORPS SUBJECT MATTER
EXPERT ON FAMILY READINESS ISSUES. MR WILL:
(A) DEVELOP, RECOMMEND AND COORDINATE IMPLEMENTATION
PLANS, POLICY AND INSTRUCTIONS.
(B) ASSIST INSTALLATION COMMANDERS AND OPERATIONAL
COMMANDERS IN IMPLEMENTATION.
(1) PROVIDE IMPLEMENTATION FUNDING (LABOR, SUPPLIES
AND EQUIPMENT) UP TO AUTHORIZED FUNDS ALLOCATION CAPS IN
COORDINATION WITH DEPUTY COMMANDANT, PROGRAMS AND RESOURCE (DC P&R).
(2) COORDINATE IMPLEMENTATION STAFFING.
(C) COORDINATE RELEASE OF FUNDS TO COMMANDS FOR
IMPLEMENTATION.
(D) INSTITUTE FUNDS ALLOCATION AND TRACKING SYSTEM FOR
REPORTING TO DC P&R OR THE MCCS BOD.
(E) PROVIDE STANDARDIZED TRAINING AND MARKETING
MATERIALS TO SUPPORT IMPLEMENTATION.
(4) COMMANDERS, U.S. MARINE CORPS FORCES; AND COMMANDING
GENERALS, MARINE CORPS COMBAT DEVELOPMENT COMMAND, MARINE CORPS
LOGISTICS COMMAND AND MARINE CORPS RECRUITING COMMAND.
(A) ESTABLISH AND MAINTAIN MCFTB PROGRAMS AND UNIT
FAMILY READINESS PROGRAMS, AS DESCRIBED HEREIN.
(B) APPROPRIATELY ALLOCATE FUNDING RECEIVED FROM MR.
(C) CONSOLIDATE, AND FORWARD TO MR, ALL FEEDBACK FROM
SUBORDINATE COMMANDS REGARDING IMPLEMENTATION AND FUNDING ALLOCATION.
(5) INSTALLATION COMMANDERS
(A) ESTABLISH AND MAINTAIN MCFTB PROGRAMS AND UNIT
FAMILY READINESS PROGRAMS ABOARD THE INSTALLATION, AS DESCRIBED
HEREIN.
(B) PROVIDE SUPPORT TO UNIT COMMANDERS AS DESCRIBED
HEREIN.
(C) OVERSEE EXPENDITURE OF ALL FUNDING RECEIVED FROM
HIGHER HEADQUARTERS.
(6) INSTALLATION MCCS DIRECTORS
(A) ESTABLISH AND MAINTAIN MCFTB PROGRAMS ABOARD THE
INSTALLATION, AS DESCRIBED HEREIN.
(B) EXECUTE FUNDING RECEIVED FROM HIGHER HEADQUARTERS.
(7) UNIT COMMANDERS
(A) EXECUTE A UNIT FAMILY READINESS PROGRAM IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THE GUIDANCE ESTABLISHED HEREIN.
(B) HIRE A FULL-TIME, CIVILIAN FRO OR UTILIZE OPTIONS
REFLECTED HEREIN FOR A MILITARY FRO.
(C) SCREEN, INTERVIEW, SELECT, AND APPOINT IN WRITING
FAMILY READINESS VOLUNTEERS.
(D) SCHEDULE AND ATTEND FAMILY READINESS COMMAND TEAM
TRAINING PROVIDED BY MCFTB, ALONG WITH THE MEMBERS OF THE FAMILY
READINESS COMMAND TEAM.
(E) ASSURE MEMBERS OF THE FAMILY READINESS COMMAND TEAM
ATTEND TRAINING PROVIDED BY MCFTB AS APPROPRIATE TO THEIR POSITION.
(F) UTILIZE MORALE SUPPORT VOLUNTEERS FOR SHORT-TERM,
EVENT-DRIVEN REQUIREMENTS.
(G) ENSURE ADEQUATE FUNDS ARE AVAILABLE FOR
REIMBURSEMENT OF APPROVED EXPENSES INCURRED BY ALL FAMILY READINESS
VOLUNTEERS.
(H) ENSURE FAMILY READINESS THEMES, FUNCTIONS, EVENTS,
AND UPDATES ARE INCORPORATED INTO PUBLIC AFFAIRS PLANNING AND
PRODUCTS.
(I) ENSURE COMMAND ORIENTATION PROGRAMS INCLUDE
INFORMATION ON WHERE TO OBTAIN FAMILY READINESS ASSISTANCE AND
RESOURCES.
(J) ENCOURAGE UNIT MARINES AND THEIR FAMILIES TO
PROACTIVELY UTILIZE MCCS CAPABILITIES, MCFTB PROGRAMS AND LOCAL
CIVILIAN COMMUNITY RESOURCES.
(K) ENSURE MCCS CAPABILITIES, MCFTB PROGRAMS AND LOCAL
CIVILIAN COMMUNITY RESOURCES ARE REGULARLY INCORPORATED INTO UNIT
PROFESSIONAL MILITARY EDUCATION.
(8) FAMILY READINESS COMMAND TEAMS (AS DEFINED IN PARAGRAPH
2F ABOVE)
(A) EXECUTE THE UNIT FAMILY READINESS PROGRAM WHICH
INCLUDES: OFFICIAL COMMUNICATION, INFORMATION AND REFERRAL, AND
MARINE AND FAMILY RDS, AS DEFINED ABOVE.
(B) DEMONSTRATE TO MARINES AND FAMILIES THE IMPORTANCE
OF FAMILY READINESS THROUGH ACTIVE AND VISIBLE PRESENCE AND
INVOLVEMENT IN FAMILY READINESS EFFORTS.
(C) ASSESS THE STATE OF UNIT FAMILY WELL-BEING.
(D) BE FULLY INFORMED ABOUT MCCS CAPABILITIES, MCFTB
PROGRAMS AND LOCAL CIVILIAN COMMUNITY RESOURCES.
(E) HOLD MARINES ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR PERSONAL AND
FAMILY READINESS.
D. AS MORE DETAILS REGARDING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS
TRANSITION BECOME AVAILABLE, ADDITIONAL MARADMINS WILL BE ISSUED.
PLANNED TOPICS INCLUDE:
(1) MANNING AND STAFFING ACTIONS
(2) FUNDING
(3) TECHNOLOGICAL ENABLERS
(4) MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS
(5) OTHERS AS REQUIRED
E. THE PHASED TRANSITION TO THIS NEW CONCEPT SHALL BE
AGGRESSIVELY IMPLEMENTED AT ALL LEVELS BY ALL PERSONNEL. THE PHASES
ARE INITIAL OPERATIONAL CAPABILITY (IOC), MID-OPERATIONAL CAPABILITY
(MOC), AND FULL OPERATIONAL CAPABILITY (FOC).
(1) IOC HAS ALREADY BEGUN. IOC COMPLETION IS DEFINED AS:
(A) HQMC HAS CONDUCTED AWARENESS OF CONCEPT BRIEFS,
PROVIDED REFRESHED MARKETING MATERIALS TO INSTALLATIONS, PROCURED
THE MASS COMMUNICATION TOOL AND THE VOLUNTEER TRACKING TOOL,
COORDINATED AND PROMULGATED DRAFT POLICIES, CONDUCTED TRAINING
MATERIAL WORKING GROUPS TO DEVELOP NEW MCCS AND MCFTB TRAINING AND
EDUCATION MATERIALS, OBTAINED FEEDBACK FROM INSTALLATIONS, UNITS,
AND FAMILIES, AND COORDINATED WITH THE FRC AND MCCS BOD.
(B) INSTALLATIONS HAVE HIRED ALL MCCS AND MCFTB STAFF.
(C) BATTALIONS/SQUADRONS AND HIGHER COMMAND ECHELONS
HAVE CIVILIAN FROS HIRED, OR HAVE APPOINTED A MILITARY FRO UTILIZING
THE OPTIONS REFLECTED HEREIN. AS REQUIRED, UNITS MAY CONTINUE TO BE
SUPPORTED BY THEIR KEY VOLUNTEER NETWORK (KVN) IN ITS OFFICIAL
COMMUNICATION ROLE, DURING THE AGGRESSIVE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NEW
PROGRAMS.
(2) MOC COMPLETION IS DEFINED AS:
(A) HQMC HAS INITIATED TECHNOLOGY TRAINING, PROCURED A
FAMILY READINESS ASSESSMENT TOOL AND VOLUNTEER TRACKING TOOL,
SUBMITTED CHANGE REQUESTS TO MARINE ONLINE FOR THE FAMILY READINESS
ROADMAP, COORDINATED AND PROMULGATED POLICIES BASED ON FEEDBACK,
INITIATED A CONTRACT FOR MARKETING AND COMMUNICATION STRATEGIES,
OBTAINED FEEDBACK FROM INSTALLATIONS, UNITS, AND FAMILIES, AND
REPORTED TO THE FRC AND MCCS BOD.
(B) INSTALLATIONS HAVE FULLY TRAINED ALL MCCS AND MCFTB
STAFF AND ARE CONDUCTING NEW FAMILY READINESS TRAINING AND
TRANSITION KEY VOLUNTEER TRAINING, AND HAVE MODIFIED THEIR MEMORANDA
OF AGREEMENTS WITH PRIVATE ORGANIZATIONS FOR LIFESKILLS TRAINING
SUPPORT.
(C) BATTALIONS/SQUADRONS AND HIGHER COMMAND ECHELONS
FROS ARE HIRED/APPOINTED, TRAINED, AND INITIALLY EQUIPPED WITH THE
MASS COMMUNICATION TOOL. AS REQUIRED, UNITS MAY CONTINUE TO BE
SUPPORTED BY THEIR KEY VOLUNTEER NETWORK (KVN) IN ITS OFFICIAL
COMMUNICATION ROLE, DURING THE AGGRESSIVE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NEW
PROGRAMS, AND ALL UNITS HAVE BEGUN INITIAL SCREENING OF FAMILY
READINESS VOLUNTEERS.
(3) FOC COMPLETION IS DEFINED AS:
(A) HQMC HAS LAUNCHED THE MARKETING AND COMMUNICATION
PLAN, OBTAINED FEEDBACK FROM INSTALLATIONS, UNITS, AND FAMILIES,
BRIEFED THE FRC AND MCCS BOD, REVISED REFERENCES (E) AND (F) AND THE
AUTOMATED INSPECTION REPORTING SYSTEM CHECKLIST, AND HAS ALLOCATED
AND IS TRACKING FUNDING.
(B) INSTALLATIONS HAVE HIRED AND TRAINED ALL MCCS AND
MCFTB STAFF, HAVE MULTI-MEDIA TRAINING CAPABILITY, AND ARE EXECUTING
AND TRACKING FUNDING.
(C) UNITS AT ALL LEVELS HAVE FULL-TIME FROS
HIRED/APPOINTED AND TRAINED, ARE EQUIPPED WITH FUNCTIONAL
TECHNOLOGY, HAVE FAMILY READINESS VOLUNTEERS APPOINTED AND TRAINED,
AND ARE EXECUTING AND TRACKING FUNDING. VOLUNTEER SUPPORT HAS FULLY
TRANSITIONED AS DESCRIBED ABOVE.
4. THE CONTENTS OF THIS MARADMIN WILL BE INCORPORATED INTO THE NEXT
REVISION OF REFERENCES (E) AND (F).
5. RESERVE APPLICABILITY. THIS MARADMIN IS APPLICABLE TO THE
MARINE CORPS TOTAL FORCE.
6. RELEASE AUTHORIZED BY LTGEN R. S. COLEMAN, DEPUTY COMMANDANT FOR
MANPOWER AND RESERVE AFFAIRS.//