Nine Reasons to Attend Your Unit's Next Family Readiness Group (FRG) Meeting

If you've been around the Army for any length of time, you've heard of the FRG. FRG, like it's some kind of entity with its own mind. FRG stands for Family Readiness Group. It used to be called the Family Support Group, until the Army decided it wasn't politically correct and that we spouses didn't need all this supportin'...so, the name was changed to go along with the times. Did you already realize there are some benefits to attending the meetings? You may think it's hogwash, or you don't need it, but guess what...every single one of us can come away with something we need (or our husband's need) at that FRG next meeting.

Feel free to align yourself with any one or number of these reasons:

• When you are in need of help when hubby is gone, they will know who you are. "They" being the soldiers and those in charge left behind. They will be more inclined to jump and help if they remember you were the cute one with the big smile at the last meeting.

• You will get to know other wives who are literally in the same boat you are. Yes, misery does love company, but with that being said, you have a new opportunity to make friends, share ideas and talk with others going through the same things you are.
  

• You'll get to meet who's in charge. This is especially important when your husband is gone. Most leaders left behind will give you a slew of phone numbers, including their personal numbers, and there's nothing like calling the head honcho if you are not getting results (don't overuse it, but it's good to know this is an option).

• You will learn at least one resource you did not know about before. Even though I consider all this stuff "old hat", do you know I still learn about a new program, phone number or event when I go to one of these things. That's worth it enough for me right there.

• You attending will reflect positively on your husband and his superiors will remember that. I say this especially at the meetings before deployment. Get involved and your husband's boss will know you are committed to him and his work. In comparing your husband with the next guy, his boss will automatically think highly of your husband versus the other guy whose wife is nowhere to be found.

• You will support your husband in more ways than you think. Let's face it, the guys face ENORMOUS pressure to encourage their wives to come to these things. If you don't go, your husband may think you don't care or think he can't count on you. People also talk. Everyone knows he's married and the general thinking is that if the other half doesn't show up, then their marriage must not be up to snuff. Just check the block. Perceptions can mean a lot in the military (whether we like it or not, that is military life, life under a magnifying glass).
  

• You'll get a night out by yourself. I know you love your husband, BUT there are times when we need our own time, and this is the ticket and perfect excuse. When the guys aren't deployed, go to the meetings then too. He can watch the kids. It's good for him and the kids and good for you to get away and get a breather.

• You'll build character. I remember back when I was young with zero life experiences. That does something to your resolve, comfort and courage in social situations. The more you "get out there" and become a part of life and these social situations, the better you can handle yourself as you go through life. You may one day end up being the Command Sergeant Major's wife or even the General's wife, and the more experiences you get under your belt, the better.

• You'll know what the heck and who your husband is talking about. Yep, guys sit around and bullsh*t, especially in the military. When he calls from overseas and starts talking about "so and so's wife" or whatever silly thing this guy did at work or running around, you'll know who he is talking about and can better laugh at the context if it's something funny. They even do this when they are not deployed! In the Army, there is a lot of "hurry up and wait" and what do they do in that downtime? They chat and share stories...just like we do.

Have you been to an FRG meeting lately? How did it go?