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Mobilization, Deployment & Stability Support Operations

Overview

The Mobilization, Deployment, and Stability Support Operations (MDSSO) helps support community readiness during deployments and emergencies. We help make sure installation programs align with unit deployment cycles, provide pre- and post-deployment support, and help unit Commanders with their Family Readiness plans and deployment support services for Service Members and their Families. We’re responsible for operating an Emergency Family Assistance Center in the case of an all-hazards event, and supporting Service Members and Families during Non-Combatant Evacuation Operations (NEO) and Repatriation. We also act as a case manager for all requests for assistance through the Army Disaster Personnel Accountability and Assessment System (ADPAAS).

Some of our resources include:

  • Pre- and Post-Deployment Support: Helps prepare Soldiers and Families for deployments and reintegration by providing trainings and resources throughout the deployment cycle in a variety of settings.
  • Soldier & Family Readiness Groups: Designed to make sure Families have information they need and develop a military support group while their Soldier is deployed. Virtual Soldier & Family Readiness Groups also provide secure environments in which the Commander can communicate directly with Soldiers and Families 24 hours a day, no matter where they are. 
  • Emergency Family Assistance: Your link to continuous support and assistance as well as authoritative and accurate information in a sensitive, timely, and effective manner.
  • Army Disaster Personnel Accountability and Assessment System (ADPAAS): Ensures all Army personnel and their dependents are accounted for during emergency situations.
  • NEO/Repatriation: We help the State Department help those who have been displaced after national emergencies and disasters.

For more information on Mobilization, Deployment, and Stability Support Operations support in your community, contact your local Army Community Service office and ask for the Mobilization and Deployment program manager or specialist.

Other helpful links:

  • Operation READY: “READY” stands for “Resources for Educating About Deployment and You.” It’s a training and information resource developed from lessons learned in the Persian Gulf War and used in Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) / Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF). The training covers learning about the types of military separation, planning and preparing personal documents, and completing family financial arrangements.
  • Comprehensive Soldier and Family Fitness (CSF2): Provides hands-on training and self-development tools so that members of the Army Family are better able to cope with adversity, perform better in stressful situations, and thrive in life.
  • Taking Care of Business: This video shares information that helps deploying Soldiers make necessary arrangements to ensure that loved ones will be taken care of if the worst happens. It explains which forms and documents to complete before deploying to ensure that final wishes are observed.
Casualty Response (CARE) Team

The Casualty Response (CARE) Team is a group of volunteers who provide practical assistance and emotional support to a Family on a short-term basis so the Family can continue to function while dealing with a traumatic event. The actual support provided depends on Family needs and command guidance, but can include: call support, home care assistance, childcare support, meal support, transportation, assistance to visiting family and other family support.

If you know someone who is possibly in need of a CARE Team: contact the Unit Commander or in the Commander’s absence, Rear Detachment Commander.

To schedule CARE Team Training for your unit: have your Battalion/Brigade Command Family Readiness Representative (CFRR) contact us at (808) 787-4227.

U.S. Army Care Team Handbook: Provides guidance for Care Team Volunteer to understand the Care Team's role and to learn how to support Families effectively.

Soldier & Family Readiness Groups (SFRGs)

A Soldier & Family Readiness Group is a command sponsored organization of family members, volunteers, Soldiers, and civilian employees belonging to a unit, that together provide an avenue of mutual support and assistance and a network of communications among the Soldiers, Family members, the chain of command, and community resources.

Click here for the SFRG FY2023 Training Schedule.

SFRG Classes

SFRG Smartbook:  For Hawaii Use Only  

Command Teams are designed to assist command teams with their responsibilities and roles by creating a Family Readiness Plan, distinguishing between Appropriated and SFRG informal funds.

Command Family Readiness Representatives (CFRR):  Formerly known as Soldier & Family Readiness  Liaison (SFRL) help to identify, define and understand SFRG operational components. Provide resources for volunteers and the membership, methods of communicating with SFRG membership, and how to execute their role within the SFRG.

SFRG Leader provides information on the Soldier & Family Readiness Group and how to effectively run the organization and deal with the challenges the SFRG may encounter throughout the cycles of deployment.

SFRG Funds Custodian is designed for SFRG Leaders, Funds Custodians, and Command representatives to gain a clear understanding of the various funds available and the types of purchases that can be made with each fund. It also clearly defines the roles and responsibilities of the Funds Custodian and Alternate.

SFRG Key Contact is designed to provide training in Key Contact duties, communicating with Family members, dispelling rumors, and handling crisis calls. It also shows Key Contacts how they fit into a successful SFRG. 

SFRG Foundations Assessment. Follow steps below to receive your SFRG Foundations certificate of completion.

Step 1. Complete assessment and save as pdf, jpg, screenshot, etc.

Step 2. Email assessment to usarmy.schofield.id-pacific.mbx.acs-mdsso@army.mil

Step 3. Please allow 3-5 business days to receive your SFRG Foundations certificate. To expedite your certificate delivery, please call an MD&SSO Specialist at (808) 787-4227 for assistance.

 

Emergency Family Assistance Center (EFAC)

The purpose of an EFAC is to provide a coordinated humanitarian response to catastrophic events affecting the military community. Upon activation, the EFAC will provide support services and emergency assistance to Soldiers, Family Members, and DA Civilians during the Response and Recovery Phases. The EFAC will promote short-term recovery, long-term recovery, and the return to a stable environment and mission-ready status following major incidents.

NEO/Repatriation

We assist the State Department to help those who have been displaced after international and national emergencies and disasters.

For more information, contact your local Army Community Service and ask for the MDSSO program.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an SFRG?

A Soldier/Family Readiness Group is a command sponsored organization of family members, volunteers, Soldiers and civilian employees belonging to a unit. Together provide an avenue of mutual support, assistance, and a network of communications among the family members, the chain of command, and community resources.

What is the Unit Commander's role in the SFRG?

The Army Command Policy 600-20 and AR 608-1 provides specific guidance for the commander.  

What is the role of SFRG Leader?

Any spouse in the unit who is willing and able to lead the efforts of the SFRG can serve as SFRG leader. The commander may select the leader, or the leader may be elected by the SFRG membership. After the SFRG leader is selected he or she needs to complete SFRG training provided by ACS.

The SFRG Leader:

  • Supports the commander’s family readiness goals
  • Provides overall leadership of the SFRG
  • Recruits other volunteers to fill SFRG positions
  • Serves as a member of the battalion-level steering committee
  • Identifies needs or unique problems of unit families
  • Acts as unit SFRG spokesperson for communicating SFRG members’ concerns and ideas to the unit commander and, if needed, the battalion-level SFRG Senior Advisor
  • After the SFRG leader is selected and approved by the Commander, he or she needs to complete SFRG training provided by ACS

What is the Role of the Command Family Readiness Representative (CFRR)?

The CFRR provides a link between the Chain of Command, SFRG members, and community resources.

CFRRs assist the command by:

  • Key integrator between command and Soldiers/Families
  • Help Commands maintain active SFRGs.
  • Maintain current email/communication rosters.
  • Establish and execute communication plans/strategies IAW Commander’s objectives.
  • Inform Commanders of known Soldier and Family issues.
  • Coordinate and communicate resilience events. (Post sponsored or unit sponsored).
  • Help SFRGs establish chains of concerns to pass information from the CFRR to SFRG members. Serve as the link between Soldiers, Civilians, Family members, and Command team. 
  • Support Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers (BOSS) activities and disseminate information about upcoming activities. 
     

How do I register and log my hours as a volunteer?

Visit the Army Volunteer Corp page.

Available Resources

 

ACS "I Need Assistance With" Directory

SFRG SmartbookFor Hawaii Use Only

Army Family Team Building: Training for military Families on the Army, leadership and personal development.

Army OneSource: This resourceful website provides information about deployment, reunion, finances, Family, children's workbooks and SFRG.  The download center allows you to research and download information that is important for you.

Fundraising Tools: Find regulations, procedures, forms and POC to start fundraising in the USAG-HI installation.

Military OneSource: Articles on everything from deployments to childrearing to healthcare issues and more. In addition, there are 24 hour consultants who can research questions and refer to appropriate agencies for specific problems.

U.S. Army Care Team Handbook: Provides guidance for Care Team Volunteer to understand the Care Team's role and to learn how to support Families effectively.

HI-TAMC, Food Handlers Course: Food Handler's training promotes food sanitation, best practices and awareness. Directions to receive a certificate is provided at the end of the training. If you have any questions or concerns with the training please contact TAMC Environmental Health Section NCOIC of EH - SGT Fuentez, Priscilla at
priscilla.d.fuentez.mil@mail.mil / 808-433-6694.

Deployment Cycle Resource Guide: For service members and Families to be familiar with support agencies during all phases of deployments.

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