Second Navy Family Gram Focuses on Deployment Resources for Families

From Chief of Naval Personnel Public Affairs

April 6, 2010 - WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The Navy released its second monthly Family Gram April 1 describing resources available to assist families of deployed Sailors, demonstrating Navy's continuing commitment to fostering a family support structure which proactively prepares families for Navy life.

"The Navy is committed to providing our families the same high-quality support they provide our Sailors," said Rear Adm. Michael Browne, director of Navy's personal readiness and community support branch. "One way we are meeting that goal is by providing our families with the tools necessary to successfully manage life during deployments and other prolonged separations."

While the Navy has always offered support to families, its programs and services have evolved in recent years to meet the needs of today's deployment cycle to include Sailors serving around the globe as individual augmentees (IAs).

NAVADMIN 120/10 describes and provides information to access about a dozen resources from traditional support structures such as command leadership and ombudsmen to more progressive resources such as the IA Web site and the Family Handbook.

Ombudsmen are an all-volunteer force and serve as the first line of support for Navy families, according to the message. The program has offered an official two-way communication tool among families, Sailors and their commands for 40 years and is often led at each command by a Navy spouse selected by the commanding officer and trained for the position.

The IA Family Handbook provides practical information concerning support services, finances and family coping suggestions, according to the Family Gram. For more personalized needs, each command also offers a command individual augmentee coordinator (CAIC) who mentors, advocates and provides professional sources of information for IA Sailors and their families.