MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. – Family Readiness Officers with 1st Marine Logistics Group participated in the inaugural I Marine Expeditionary Force FRO Professional Development Seminar here, March 11.
The seminar was initiated by Lt. Gen. Thomas Waldhauser, commanding general, I MEF, to provide FROs with additional training in areas they assist families with on a regular basis.
Family Readiness officers are the link between the commanding officer and the families of the Marines and sailors in their unit. They provide accurate information and resources to services members and spouses to assist them in making the best decisions for their family.
“Our job as FROs is to make sure the Marines, sailors and their family members have the right tools to make sure they are
1st Marine Expeditionary Force’s Family Readiness Officers listen to a speaker at the inaugural I MEF FRO Professional Development Seminar at Camp Pendleton, Calif., March 11. The seminar was initiated by Lt. Gen. Thomas Waldhauser, commanding general, I MEF, to help FROs find ways to improve their role in the Family Rediness Program.
in a good position for the future,” said Eric Bradford, the FRO for 1st MLG.
During the seminar the FROs discussed what they think they needed to accomplish their mission of assisting families. The focal point of the discussion was leadership. They discussed leadership styles, tools and the development of new leaders.
“I think a big part of leadership is being confident,” said Waldhauser.
Aside from learning about leadership, the FROs also received training on social networking sites and human relations to assist in interacting and informing families.
“It’s great to have all of the FROs with MEF under one roof at one time,” said Karren Gough, the FRO for I MEF. “This gives us the opportunity to go over and discuss some issues of what we can do as FROs to make it easier for the families.”