VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. – The Navy Expeditionary Combat Command (NECC) Family Readiness Team conducted a training course at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story Oct. 10.
The training provided up-to-date information and direction for command leaders and volunteers who offer support to Sailors and their family members.
Family readiness promotes education and resources to ensure Sailors and their families are prepared for deployment and minimize hardships in their absence. Topics discussed during the training focused on the integration of communication plans, tools, directives and resources these personnel can utilize in assisting military families when facing challenges.
“The Command Family Readiness Team training is designed to provide NECC subordinate commands with the latest updates to the NECC Sailor and Family Readiness Program instruction, review responses to crisis and trauma situations, discuss the importance of caring for caregivers, and review aspects of Operational Stress Control (OSC) for families,” said Capt. Lori Laraway, OSC Program Manager for NECC.
The six-hour training course is offered to both active duty and reserve components of NECC forces to establish a foundation of family readiness in all areas the force operates.
Members attending the course included senior leaders from 14 NECC commands, Family Readiness Officers (FROs), Ombudsmen, and Family Readiness Group (FRGs) volunteers.
“It’s like Family Readiness 101,” said May Jacobs, Force Family Readiness Director. “It gives you a basic foundation, and from there we build training curriculum based on the different communities and what their needs are.”
The information provided can be utilized to assist all types of military families and service members.
“It benefits all of our sailors -- from flag officers down to the E-1 level, active duty and reserve, single and married,” said Jacobs. “We have a very diverse group of military personnel and we are trying to address all their needs.”
The training course provided skills and tools to help prepare and equip sailors and their families to meet the challenges of a military lifestyle.
“We’re trying to stay ahead of any potential issues families may face by preparing them and making them resilient,” said Jacobs. “Our families pack up and move, starting over frequently, and we’re trying to make those transitions easier.”
NECC is a command element and force provider for integrated maritime expeditionary missions, serving as a single functional command for the Navy's expeditionary forces.
For more information and resources on Family Readiness, visit www.necc.navy.mil and click on the “Sailor and Family Readiness” tab.