Mobilization & Deployment Readiness
(Patricia A. Guillory, Program Manager)

Mission:  Assist Soldiers and family members to maintain individual readiness during war and peace times.  

Services:  Provide guidance, resources and training for Family Readiness Group members and Rear Detachment Officers. Support deploying units by providing pre-deployment information and material to Soldiers and family members.  Oversee training and plans for the Fort Jackson’s Family Assistance Center (FAC).  Assist and support mobilizing and demobilizing Army Reserve and National Guard units. Provide assistance and services to repatriated families.

Training Offered:
Operation R.E.A.D.Y. training: (Resources Education about Deployment and You) Information: http://www.myarmylifetoo.com

Rear Detachment (RD) Training
Family Readiness Group (FRG Training)
Pre-deployment, Deployment, Post Deployment Briefings
Family Assistance Center Information
ACS Mobilization and Deployment Readiness Brief
Family Information Assistance Sheet
Soldier's Checklist
FRG Leader Registration Sheet
ACS Briefing Evaluation
Operation Ready Training Resources
Spouse Handbook
Virtual Family Readiness Group
Mobilization Brochure

Example FRG SOPs
     FRG - SOP Newsletter
       FRG - SOP Budget SOP
       FRG - SOP Informal Fund

Mobilization and Deployment Calendar
(Training  location will be advertised in the FJ Leader)

Mobilization & Deployment Websites:
 http://www.militaryonesource.com
 http://www.myarmylifetoo.com
 http://www.arfp.org/connections
 http://www.arfp.org
 http://www.spousenet.com/
 http://www.armyfamiliesonline.org
 

Family Readiness Group (FRG)
Leader Training (On-line)
All units, the Community and Family Support Center recently released the Family Readiness Group (FRG) online training.  Current or newly assigned FRG Leaders can access the training on www.MyArmyLifeToo.com through the Lifelong Learning/e-Learning Center.  This training provides participants the opportunity to enhance their knowledge, skills and abilities in areas vital to FRG Leader success.  All units must have their FRG Leader registered with Army Community Service (ACS).  This information is mission essential; it is a serious link in ACS Family Assistance Center emergency preparedness plan.  Communication between various agencies, Soldiers, and family members must be in place when a natural disaster (storm, hurricane) mass causality or deployment occur at Fort Jackson. For additional information please call ACS Mobilization and Deployment Program Manager at 751-5256/7489.

Please take advantage of the new DVD to help families during all phases of deployment.
Sesame Workshop and Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. with additional support from the New York office of Mental Health (NYSOMH) and Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC), have partnered to produce a new project, Talk, Listen, Connect: Helping Families During Military Deployment.  These bilingual kits will help military families and their young children cope with feelings, challenges, and concerns experienced during various phases of deployment: pre-deployment, deployment and homecoming.  The kit includes a DVD, featuring the beloved Muppets from Sesame Street and a parent/caregiver magazine and poster.
"Talk, Listen, Connect" will be available on August 1st. Hard copies of the DVD will be available to order by calling Military One Source at 1-800-730-3802 or online: www.militaryonesource.com .  Military organizations such as Child Development Centers and Family Readiness Groups are encouraged to order the DVD in bulk for their families.  The video and supporting materials can also be downloaded at www.sesameworkshop.org as of August 1st.

Please note that bulk orders may be requested for this DVD only.

Deployment Care packages &
Holiday Season Mailing Deadline Information

Military Postal Service Agency Holiday
Mailing Time Line

Parcel  Post                                           
Space Available Mail                           
Parcel Airlift Mail                                 
First Class Mail/letters & cards       
Priority Mail                                           

For additional information check out
http://www.deploymentlink.osd.mil/oct05/news_2005

Mailing to different countries check out
 http://hqdainet.army.mil/mpsa/afgan_mail.htm

http://hqdainet.army.mil/mpsa/kwait_mail.htm

http://hqdainet.army.milmpsa/iraq__mail.htm

Prohibited Items:  Illegal substances, Alcoholic beverages, explosives (including fireworks), offensive or obscene materials, including photos, drawings or any other material which may have the potential to offend members of the opposite sex, members of another race, background, nationality religion, or ethnicity.

Suggested Items for Deployed Soldiers Care package
Toilet paper
Toothbrush/toothpaste/mouthwash/dental floss/breath strips
Soap with case/shower gel/anti-bacterial hand soap/hand sanitizer
Nail files (emery boards)/nail clippers/tweezers
Q-tips/cotton balls
Toothpicks/matches
Baby powder
Shampoo/conditioner/hair gel/hair spray (pump)
Lotion/Avon skin-so-soft
Eye drops (moisturizing) /saline mist nose spray
Travel size Kleenex
Deodorant
Combs/brushes
Contact lens cleaner
Disposable razors/shaving cream/aftershave lotion Baby wipes/Clorox wipes
Writing paper/envelopes/black ink pens/mechanical pencils
Lip balm/chap stick/sunscreen (bottle & roll on kind)/Bug Off & bug repellent spray
Bath towel/wash cloth (dark colors)
Bandanas (desert & woodland cami)/swimming goggles
Mini fans
Batteries (all sizes especially AA)
Sewing kit/Sunglasses/small flashlight 
Blankets/Standard bed pillow/pillowcase/single sheet sets
AT&T Prepaid Global Calling Cards
Ziploc Bags

 
Women:



Feminine Hygiene Products /Hair bands/hair clips /Nail polish /Body sprays /Perfume
Sending Shampoo, and other items that will spill
Place anything that could spill (shampoo, cologne) inside a Zip Lock bag, just in case it decides to open up on the trip there.
Food Ideas
Sending Cookies
Pack them in a tin box (if you have one) so they do not get broken. Or pack them so they are able to fit into a Pringles can. Also pack them with a piece of bread so they stay moist and fresh.


Instant Oatmeal/individual box cereal
Jello snack packs/Hunts Snack Puddings
Pre-sweetened Kool-aid/Pre-sweetened Lemonade Mix
Powder Gatorade/Crystal Lite Powder Drink Mix
Kraft Handi snacks
LifeSavers/Certs/Tic Tacs/Chewing Gum/Lollipops/Tootsie Rolls/Hard Candy
Snack cakes/Rice Crispy Treats/cookies
Cups of Soup/Noodles
Milk & Cereal Bars/Granola Bars/Power Bars
Peanut butter & crackers
Pop Tarts/Pop Tart sticks
Marshmallows
Frito Scoops/Pringles/Doritos (snack size packs)
Snack Crackers
Individual snack size chips
Trail mix/Chex Mix
Tuna snack kits/canned chicken/Sardines
Slim Jims/Beef Jerky/summer sausage/M&Ms/Skittles/Chiclets
Dried Fruit/individual applesauce/canned fruit with pop tops
Canned & instant soup
Nuts/Raisins (individual bags/boxes)
Individual packaged pies

**No Pork Products/by products can be sent!**
**No fresh meat, fresh fruits or vegetables**

Writing & Fun Materials

Dice
Disposable Camera
DVDs & VHS Movies
Music CDs
Electronic Hand Held Games
Frisbees
Puzzle Books/Mad Libs/Joke Books/Comic Books
Newspapers/Magazines/paperback books
Jump rope/stress ball
Travel Board Games/Mini Etch-a-sketch
Playing Cards
Crossword Puzzle Books
Blank Greeting Cards (for soldiers to send home)
Stationary/journals/return address labels (or SASE)
Radio headsets
Drawing pads/construction paper

         

Military Survival Kit

Lifesavers - to remind you that that's what you are
Single serving of drink mix - "Instant drink" add water and shake, for when you are on maneuvers
A Match - To light your fire when you're feeling burned out
Smarties - To help you on those days when you don't feel smart
Mounds Bar - to remind you of the mounds of love & support you have from friends & family and members of Operation Military Pride
Tape- To fix things that will not work
Confetti- To remind you to have fun
A Starburst - To give you a burst of energy on days when you don't have any
Pack of Gum - to help your unit stick together
Cotton Ball - to cushion the rough roads
A Rubber Band - To stretch yourself beyond the limits
A String - To tie things together when everything falls apart
Penny - we all need a little luck
A Marble- For when you lose yours
Battery -  To give you that extra charge to keep you going... and going.
Piece of Rope - When you reach the end of yours, this will keep you going a bit longer
Sample pack of Excedrin - Thank you, I know this job can be a headache
Paperclip - to hold it all together
A heresy hug- to let you know there's always someone on your side
Mint - because you are worth a mint
Phone cards-reminder to call home
Candle - to light up the darkness
Tootsie Roll - to help you roll with the punches
Laughy Taffy- to remind you to laugh
Jolly Rancher - to remind you how sweet things can be
Map of USA-- so you will never be far from home.
Yellow Ribbon-So you will know you will always be supported till you
come home
A Bag- To help you keep it all together