The Army Community Service is a Soldier and Family support center that is usually centrally located within the post. It provides Army Families information, guidance, assistance, or problem solving in personal or Family matters that are beyond the Family's own resources. Most services provided by ACS are free of charge to ID cardholders. Some of the programs run by ACS include:

The Army knows how important Family members are to Soldier readiness and is committed to helping you lead a fulfilling life while your spouse is in the military.

Soldiers learn very quickly about the Army through their Recruiter's information, their initial training, and their daily experience. Basically, they learn the Army culture and their role within the Army. But what about their spouses and Family members?

The Army wants to enhance the connection of Army spouses and recognize their contributions to the Army community as well. MyArmyLifeToo.com is the entry point for providing services to Army spouses, helping connect spouses to the Army, and developing them as community leaders.

A Family Readiness Group is an organization of Family members, volunteers, Soldiers, and civilian employees belonging to an Army command. They provide support, assistance and a network of information among its members, the unit, and community agencies. Unit FRGs consist of all assigned and attached Soldiers, their spouses, and children. Although you automatically become a member of the FRG when your Soldier becomes of member of the unit, participation in the FRG is voluntary. Extended Families, fiancées, boyfriends or girlfriends, retirees, DA civilians, and even interested community members are often included as well.

For spouses and Family members, being active in the FRG will help give a sense of belonging to the unit and the Army community—the Army Family. It will also provide you a way to develop friendships, share important information, find needed Army resources, and share moral support during any unit deployments.

Mobilization refers to Reserve Component units that are placed on active duty to support the active Army. Deployment refers to the movement of a unit away from its home station. Operation READY, which stands for Resources for Education About Deployment and You. It supports the Families of these Soldiers by providing training on implementing, developing, and re-energizing FRGs. Such training also includes other mobilization and deployment topics such as reunion and reintegration, children and deployment, and a Soldier and Family "Deployment Survival Guide."

It is during the preparation for deployment, during the deployment itself, and in the homecoming that FRGs best show their full value.

As part of the command organization, the chain of command, including the "stay-behind"headquarters or "rear detachment", ensures that the best information on what Soldiers are doing is available to the FRG, which has its own network for contacting people. The FRGs help every Family to keep up-to-date on what is going on, and in addition to sharing information, the group chooses goals and activities centered on supporting Soldiers and Families. It's a great way to learn about your Soldier's unit and his or her coworkers, to obtain accurate and up-to-date unit information, to meet with other spouses, and to enjoy planned social activities.

In many organizations, the FRG meets regularly, and some commands distribute newsletters to keep everyone informed. Each FRG is unique to its unit and mission and is most commonly associated with preparing Soldiers and Family members for deployment or mobilization.

The Family Advocacy Program is dedicated to the prevention, prompt reporting, intervention, and treatment of spouse and child abuse. Programs under FAP assist commanders, Soldiers, and their Families. These services include crisis intervention, educational training for prevention of spouse and child abuse, workshops focusing on prevention of domestic violence, parent information and referral assistance, and classes designed for different age groups to teach positive approaches to parenting. It also includes access to trained victim advocates who provide support, information, and referral to resources to victims of Family violence and sexual assault.

The Army knows the importance of hearing what Soldiers and Families think is important and what they think can be improved about their experience in the military. The Army Family Action Plan offers commanders "real-time" information on Soldier and Family concerns. Usually conducted once each year, AFAP brings together Soldiers, Family members, retirees, and civilian employees to discuss issues important to their lives. Issues include such topics as health care, Family housing, schools, pay, benefits, and many others. The commander takes action on those that are within his or her ability to change.

The AFAP process doesn't always end with your local community. Issues with wider impact are sent to a higher level where the same process is repeated, and eventually they may go to the Army or to the Department of Defense. Policies or even laws can be changed. Some examples of issues that resulted in change are the creation of groups to support Family readiness, employment assistance for spouses, education benefits, and many child care improvements.

Changing from your local community to the Army community is a big and important step. The Army Family Team Building program can help.

This educational program helps "translate" military talk, writing, and abbreviations; develop realistic expectations, and learn about benefits and services available to you. Gaining this confidence can go a long way toward helping you achieve your goals.

Another great thing that AFTB can do is help you learn what all those buttons and badges and stripes on the Army uniform are and what a company or battalion is.

The Army Volunteer Corps Coordinator is looking for people like you to assist with programs for children, provide support and social activities for Family members, and to serve in hospitals, churches, and recreation programs. The AVCC is a good opportunity to learn new skills, make contacts, and make new friends. The possibilities are too numerous to list, but this is a place to put your special talent, gifts, and skills to work. You might write stories, design posters, teach classes, share computer skills, or work with any number of other things that will give you a chance to learn about and contribute to your community.

Volunteering also gives you a chance to try something new or sharpen skills you already have. This is a great way to help yourself while you help others. Visit your local ACS office, and contact the AVCC to find the volunteer position that is right for you.

The Army Emergency Relief program provides emergency financial assistance to active duty Soldiers and their Family members. Financial assistance is generally for emergency food or travel but can also be available for essential automobile repairs, insurance, rent, utility bills, funerals, and medical and dental bills. Monetary educational assistance and scholarships may also be provided to spouses and dependent children of Army personnel. AER assistance is not "free money." It is usually a loan that must be repaid.

The Employment Readiness Program provides information and referral services in the areas of employment, education, training, and transition opportunities to give Family members the competitive edge needed to gain employment. Services include career and employment counseling, an employer resource file—for positions on and off post—and assistance with resume and job application preparation and computer-related skills.

The Army has established a partnership with several large corporations that have agreed to provide employment opportunities to Army spouses. To learn more about this program, visit your ACS and speak to the ERP program manager.