PDF Version of CRM Chapter 3 Draft FRS for NECC Family Readiness Symposium.

1. Chapter 3
Family Readiness Officer
1. Purpose. The purpose of this chapter is to define the roles and
responsibilities of the Family Readiness Officer (FRO) and, if
applicable, Deputy FRO.
2. Roles and Responsibilities. The FRO is the pivotal member of the
CFRT. The FRO shall be a uniformed service member in pay grade E-7 or
above assigned in writing as a collateral duty and directly reporting
to the CO. The FRO shall provide direct coordination of the CPFRP
between the CO, Sailors, and families to support the goals outlined in
this manual and the CO’s intent. The primary duty of the FRO is to
serve as a communication portal to the command Ombudsman, FRG Leader,
Sailors, and their families. If possible FRO responsibilities should
be assigned to an individual in a non-deploying billet. In the event
a FRO must deploy the CO will appoint, in writing, a Deputy FRO. The
FRO will never be assigned as a Command CACO to prevent a conflict of
responsibility during a casualty/crisis situation, refer to Chapter 6
for further guidance. The responsibilities of the FRO can be quite
demanding; CO’s should exercise caution and consider the impact to
overall command readiness before assigning the FRO to additional
duties not associated with the CPFRP. Assignment of multiple
collateral duties may negate the objective, neutral, and unfiltered
relationship the FRO must develop and foster with Sailors and
families. The FRO ensures resources are leveraged to educate,
prepare, and empower Sailors and their families as directed by the
CO's intent and vision. The FRO’s duties are:
a. The FRO shall remain aware of the family readiness needs of
the command, and educate themselves on all available family support
resources, services, agencies and organizations to promote family
readiness. Appendix B provides complete list of recommended FRO
training. At a minimum, the FRO shall attend the following NECC
Family Readiness Team trainings:
(1) NECC Family Readiness Symposium
(2) NECC CFRT Training
(3) NECC portal trainings
The FRO shall also attend the following Fleet and Family Services
Center trainings:
(1) Ombudsman Basic Training (OBT)
(2) Family Readiness Group Leadership training
Note: If OBT is not readily available, the FRO shall take the OBT

2. webinar training. If FRG training is not available the FRO shall
contact the local FFSC representative for an I&R briefing.
b. The FRO shall conduct personal and family readiness screening
interviews with each Sailor as part of the command’s official check-in
process. During the interview, the FRO shall distribute CPFRP
Orientation Packets. The contents of an orientation package will vary
among commands, but all should contain at a minimum:
(1) CO's Welcome and Policy Statement.
(2) CPFRP points of contact, website address and toll-free
numbers.
(3) Information on CPFRP official communication processes,
e.g., command/ombudsman/FRG website, NECC/command/ombudsman/FRG
Facebook page, command or Ombudsman newsletters, etc.
(4) A CPFRP Authorization Form, (Appendix c) commonly referred
to as “contact sheets” with instructions for completion.
(a) The FRO shall provide a copy of each completed CPFRP
Authorization Form to the Ombudsman.
(b) CPFRP Authorization Forms (Contact Sheets) may be
released to FRG Leaders if they have been designated as an official
volunteer and the Sailor provides consent on the form.
c. The FRO shall contact the spouse or designated family of a
newly reporting Sailor within 30 days of the individual reporting
aboard. In accordance with reference (f) command authorities may
contact family members with or without the sponsor’s consent when
relaying official information directly related to family readiness.
Upon Sailors reporting to a command spouse’s contact information shall
be given to the FRO. If a Sailor or their spouse refuse to provide
spouse information the Sailor will be counseled about the benefits of
the program by either the CO, COS/CSO/XO or CMC. Should a Sailor's
spouse choose not to participate, the Sailor will sign the CPFRP Opt-
Out Form, (Appendix d). The spouse will be asked to sign the form,
but if the request is refused, a Sailor senior in rank to the subject
Sailor will sign as a witness in addition to the FRO. The FRO will
continue to contact the Sailor and their spouse until the form is
signed by both parties. The FRO will continue to attempt to
communicate with a Sailor’s spouse even during a period of separation
or pending divorce unless the process for refusal to participate as
stated above is completed using the CPFRP Opt-Out Form.
d. The FRO may provide official communication with the spouse and
family members of Sailors. For the protection of the Sailor’s right
of privacy, Sailors must designate, by name and in writing, family
members authorized to receive command information. Under no
circumstances will contact information be changed, added to or deleted

3. or provided to anyone unless authorized in writing by the Sailor.
e. The FRO shall brief the prospective CO prior to turnover and
provide an assessment of the CPFRP. As the family readiness subject
matter expert, it is the responsibility of the FRO to ensure that the
CO’s directives regarding the command’s family readiness posture are
current. The CPFRP budget should be discussed with the CO to assist
the command in establishing funding priorities.
f. The FRO shall promote personal and family readiness programs.
To ensure effective marketing and promotion of all available programs,
the FRO must be familiar with the concepts and information provided
and be able to articulate the benefits of each.
g. The FRO shall attend NECC CFRT training within 30 days of
assignment. The FRO assigned to a reserve command shall attend NECC
CFRT training within 60 days of assignment. If assignment of a FRO
occurs in close proximity to a change of command the prospective CO
may waive the 30/60 day training requirement so the FRO and new CO may
attend the training together. Course completion will be documented
and reported to the NECC Family Readiness Director.
h. The FRO shall attend FRO Training within 30 days of assignment
and the R/C FRO’s shall attend FRO training within 60 days of
assignment.
i. The FRO shall coordinate appropriate and timely training for
the command’s Ombudsman and FRG Leader.
j. Individuals who have previously served as a FRO and completed
FRO training may be appointed as FRO at their gaining command when
transferring to a new duty station. If the new duty station is not in
the same geographic location then the FRO shall attend NECC CFRT
training and FFSC resource training. FROs shall also re-attend NECC
CFRT training with every new CO.
k. The FRO shall ensure the timely submission of authorized
volunteer reimbursement claims to the command Supply Department.
l. The FRO will coordinate Family Readiness training for Sailors
and their families.
m. The FRO will coordinate command leadership attendance at
graduations of Ombudsmen Basic Training and FRG Leader Course for
attendees from their command.
n. The FRO shall arrange for all appropriate CPFRP administrative
and logistical support to include but not limited to any necessary
transactions between the CPFRP and other installation military
organizations, such as the military post office, printing facilities,
and the disbursing office.

4. o. In addition to assigned Sailors the FRO is responsible for the
family readiness of individuals assigned TAD to the command and shall
maintain a record for anyone augmenting the command. Maintain a
record for Sailors TAD to the command (ie. Reservists and support
personnel).
p. The FRO shall not use email distribution lists to announce
non-CPFRP events or solicit non-CPFRP related materials or donations.
The FRO shall include a signature block on all emails with at least
the following information:
(1) Name, rank/grade.
(2) Position/title (Family Readiness Officer, MSRON 4).
(3) Address and phone numbers, duty and cell, if applicable.
(4) Email address.
(5) The FRO may include a favorite quotation or saying.
(6) Disclaimer: Information is distributed in this email as
information of common interest for military members and their
families/contacts. Use of their information does not advertise nor
imply endorsement of any commercial activity or product by the
Department of Defense, U.S. Navy or this command.
r. CACO Notification. The FRO shall NOT participate in CACO
notification
s. Survivor Support. The FRO shall coordinate survivor support
efforts through the CACO. Further guidance is addressed in Chapter 6.
3. Deputy FRO. COs may designate a Deputy FRO to work directly for
the FRO and assist in the performance of duties. Deputy FROs will be
a member of the command and should be in the pay grade of E6 or
higher. The Deputy FRO position is a collateral duty. If the FRO is
absent from the command for a prolonged period, their duties and
responsibilities may be passed to the Deputy FRO. If assigned to a
geographically dispersed command, Deputy FROs may be assigned to
perform the same roles and have the same responsibilities as the FRO,
in locations distant from the CO. In these instances, the Deputy
works directly for the CO and the relationship between the FRO and
Deputy FRO will be one of communication and not direction.
4. Administrative Support. Commands should provide administrative
support to the FRO. In the absence of the FRO anyone providing
administrative support shall not fulfill any role or responsibility of
the FRO or Deputy FRO.
5. Higher Echelon FROs. Higher Echelon FROs are an assistance
resource for subordinate command FROs. They provide advice,

5. mentorship, support and guidance through continual communication and
liaison. The Higher Echelon FRO will be called upon to assist
subordinate command FROs in situations of heightened crisis or where
subordinate FRO billets are vacant for very brief periods. Higher
Echelon FROs will also provide support to subordinate commands during
periods of heightened deployment or training requirements. The Higher
Echelon FROs assist in the development, implementation, and evaluation
of subordinate CPFRP. They conduct periodic assessments of
subordinate commands’ personal and family readiness programs and
provide appropriate recommendations for improvements. Higher Echelon
FROs are responsible for disseminating local/applicable information to
FROs supporting subordinate CO’s within the same community who do not
have a Higher Echelon FRO on their installation. This information
includes but is not limited to advertisement about local events,
general military training, or any other information that is
disseminated to subordinate unit FROs. Higher Echelon FROs are also
responsible for keeping the CO apprised of the state of their
subordinate command personal and family readiness programs as it
pertains to staffing and compliance with NECC policy.
6. Support Services. Support services are defined as those services
required to support the FRO and the CPFRP mission. Most support
services are provided by NECC as they are administrative in nature;
however, some support services are clearly for the benefit of the
command. For example:
a. Nametags and Business Cards. The military uses ranks and
uniforms to identify personnel. In an organization, like a Family
Readiness Group, where all participants may not be familiar with all
of the roles within a CFRT, nametags and business cards may be helpful
identifiers. The decision for CFRT members to wear nametags is a
command prerogative. Certain circumstances that may warrant a nametag
would be an evening FRG meeting, or a symposium in which civilian
attire is worn. As such the command shall support such a requirement
financially and administratively. The decision to issue the FRO
business cards is also a command prerogative. As such the command
shall support such a request financially and administratively.
b. Cell Phone/Blackberry. It is imperative that the FRO be
available to the CO, Sailors and families outside normal duty hours.
Commanding Officers should consider this requirement when prioritizing
distribution of command-issued cell phones or Blackberrys. In the
event a command-issued cell is not available the command must develop
a plan to support communication requirements. If a command-issued
cell is available for purposes of continuity, a phone number may be
created for the billet to pass forward as the FRO position changes
hands.
c. Meeting Space. The command will provide a designated space
for the FRG to meet privately with Sailors or family members.
d. FRO Conduct. FROs must exemplify the highest standards of

6. personal conduct and integrity. They are subject to the same
standards of conduct and ethics regulations of the CPO Mess and
Wardroom and will conduct their duties and responsibilities in a
professional and competent manner. See reference (h) for additional
and detailed ethics information.
e. Performance Issues. COs must clearly address performance
expectations with their FRO within 30 days of assumption of command or
appointing a new FRO. Reserve COs must clearly address performance
expectations with the FRO within 60 days of assumption of command or
appointing a new FRO. Establishing open lines of communication and
performance expectations will allow the FRO the best opportunity to
succeed. Two-way communication is key.