Service Member Support Division

Annual Family Program and OPSEC Briefing September 2020

Dear National Guard Family -

Units are required to provide an annual training brief to all family members on

quality of life issues, the different Service Member Support Division programs,

community resources, and an overview of OPSEC (Operations Security).

So, what is a family member? Who is a family member?

If we are asking about dependency, it is a spouse or child of a Service Member who

meets the military dependency criteria (military ID card holding dependents).

When it comes to the National Guard and most of the programs available through

the Service Member Support Division, “family” is expanded to encompass

everyone who has influence over the Service Member’s attitude toward military

service. This could be parents, siblings, fiancés or significant others, common law

spouses, extended family or even friends.

The Family Readiness Program educates and empowers both traditional dependents

and individuals who influence and support the military career of a Service Member

with information and resources. Readiness should be practiced all year around, not

just before a deployment.

Ready individuals and families are knowledgeable about the potential challenges

they may face; equipped with the skills to competently function in the face of such

challenges; aware of the supportive resources available to them; and make use of

the skills and supports in managing such challenges.

We all know that “knowledge is power”. It is a fact that when the families are

involved, educated and empowered, Service Members can concentrate on their

mission and the operational readiness of the unit is strengthened.

The next few pages will introduce you to some of the programs and resources

available to you as family members.

Inside this issue:

Individual Readiness Family Readiness

The state of being prepared to cope with the stressors

of daily living and manage the competing demands of

work life, personal life, and family life.

The state of being prepared to effectively navigate the

challenges of daily living experienced in the unique

context of military service.

Service Member and Family Readiness

Soldier & Family

Readiness

2

Family Readiness

(cont.)

3

Quality of Life and

Stressors

3

Directors of

Psychological Health

3

Child and Youth

Program

4

Military OneSource 4

Personal Financial

Counselors

4

Transition Assistance

Advisor

5

Chaplain - Strong

Bonds

5

National Resources 5

OPSEC 6

FACT

# of Soldiers in the

Wisconsin Army National

Guard: 7169

# of Points-of-Contact

designated by Soldiers:

7863

Soldier & Family Readiness Services

WHAT IS FAMILY READINESS?

The state of being prepared to effectively navigate the challenges of daily living experienced in the unique context of military service by using the network of agencies, programs, services and individuals, the collaboration among them that promotes the readiness and quality of life for Service members and their families. SUPPORT AND SERVICES

Provide support in the administration of Family Readiness Program services for unit Commanders

Provide assistance to commands within the geographical area of responsibility in support of the Family Readiness and Family Assistance

Assist military families with personal and family readiness

Support for service and family members during all stages of the deployment cycle

Crisis information and support

Management of the Family Readiness volunteer program

Education on Financial Literacy and Career Readiness Support for Military Families

Military Family Financial Aid (MFFA) Grant

ESSENTIAL SERVICES

Provides information resource referral and non-medical administrative case management across all essential services; including but not limited to: Crisis, Legal, Financial, TRICARE, ID Cards/DEERS, Community Information and Outreach Services, Employment/Financial Literacy, Emergency Family Assistance Center (EFAC) and Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP). Pictured (left to right): Renee Simpson, Kyle Bestul, Jayne Nakielski, Adam Gonzalez, Carina Sween, Karen Degner, Sarah Dillinger, Shannan Rosenthal, Coua Thao, Jesse Klement

If you need assistance and would like to connect with one of the Soldier & Family Readiness Specialists (S&FRS) please visit: http://www.wisconsinmilitary.org/fac or call 1-800-292-9464 ext 1 (24/7)

Like us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/WIFamilyPrograms

STAY IN THE LOOP

In order to ensure all Points-of-Contact are informed and empowered please take a

couple moments to verify your contact information.

Contact a Soldier & Family Readiness Specialists (S&FRS) at 1-800-292-9464 ext 1

or email: ng.wi.wiarng.mbx.j1-smsd@mail.mil

Soldiers are should visit MilConnect at https://milconnect.dmdc.osd.mil/milconnect/, ensure their personal contact

information is up to date and per WIARNG TASKING ORDER 20-028 their:

1. Duty organization reflects “National Guard” and

2. Duty sub-organization reflects “NG - Army National

Guard—(state)

Family Readiness

Life Stressors Impact Quality of Life

Why should YOU want to be a member of the unit’s Family Readiness Program? There are many advantages to being a member. Some examples are:

Gain information about the military and how it works.

Become informed about connections to resources

Get official news from your unit

Gain mutual emotional & physical support from each other (common bond)

Make new friends and HAVE FUN!!!

Quite often information which should be passed along to family members is lost among all the other paperwork. Being involved in the Family Readiness Program will help to keep you “in the loop”.

The Family Program is always looking for volunteers!!!

Would you like to take an active role in your soldiers unit? Do you have a couple of hours

to spare each month? We are always looking for family or community members who

would like to fill volunteer roles such as the Lead Family Readiness volunteer,

Communication Coordinator, or would just like to volunteer occasionally as time allows.

Please contact us at 1-800-292-9464 (option 1), email us at:

ng.wi.wiarng.mbx.j1-smsd@mail.mil or complete a quick questionnaire at

https://www.wisconsinmilitary.org/smsd-loves-volunteers/

Chronic stress (more than 21 days) has an adverse impact on our quality of life.

It hinders future stress responses and can lead to inefficient stress management.

Stress overload can lead to the body’s inability to distinguish between a daily hassle and a fight-or-flight response.

Chronic stress over time contributes to disease (Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, cardiovascular disease, widespread pain, interrupted sleep, fibromyalgia, diabetes, and even cancer).

The following are just a few stressors in our lives:

Physical health

Finances

Work

Spouse / partner

children

Our mission is to provide military families with

information, resources, and referral to local, state, and

federal community based programs that can assist you

with enhancing your quality of life and empower you to

manage the unique challenges of the military lifestyle.

Psychological Health Program

The Wisconsin Army National Guard Psychological

Health Program provides initial assessment and

direction to service members and family members, who

have transitional difficulties in either adjusting to

re-deployment or life challenges which may be

presenting barriers in quality of life.

Assistance is provided through initial problem solving

and identification of resources, that may provide longer

term support for the service member and their family.

Licensed behavioral health professionals provide

advocacy in helping or referring to support personnel in

navigating the service bureaucracy.

To connect with a member of the Psychological Health team please visit:

https://www.wisconsinmilitary.org/psychological-health-program/

or reach out to a Soldier & Family Readiness Specialist (S&FRS) at 1-800-292-9464 ext 1

Personal Financial Counselors (PFCs)

Child and Youth Program

The Military and Family Life Counseling Personal Financial Counselors (PFCs) are all board-certified financial

counselors. In as little as one solution-focused financial counseling session, your PFC can help service members,

couples, and families create a financial plan for:

Housing budgeting and spending

Saving and investing, including the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP)

Debt repayment and working with creditors

Deployment, transition, and retirement planning, and

Tax Planning

This counseling is provided at no cost and is confidential.

Consumer Advocacy Services includes information on a wide variety of consumer issues such as identity theft, payday loans, home equity loans and consumer fraud.

We aim to help you avoid financial pitfalls and empower you to make educated decisions about your personal finances.

Among other consumer related issues, your PFC can also provide assistance with:

Completing consumer complaint forms

Obtaining information on Consumer Rights

Providing appropriate referrals to military and civilian resources responsible for resolving complaints.

For more information and contact information visit: https://www.wisconsinmilitary.org/pfc/

Military OneSource provides comprehensive

information on every aspect of military life at no cost to

service members, and their families (ID card holding

dependents).

A community with a deep understanding of Military

Life - powered by people with extensive training and

experience in military culture.

It’s all about helping our entire community - service

members and military families - take advantage of all

the resources and services you have available, for the

most positive and fulfilling military experience.

Financial & Tax Consultation

Parenting and Childcare

Confidential non-medical counseling

Education

Spouse Education & Career Opportunities

Health and Wellness Coaching and much more

Connecting with

confidential help is

simple with Military

OneSource. You can connect 24/7 at 1-800-342-9647

https://www.militaryonesource.mil

Military OneSource

The Wisconsin National Guard Child and Youth

Program provides military youth with leadership,

character and resilience training opportunities through

youth summits, camps and other fun, youth focused

events.

Their programming teaches valuable life skills and

coping strategies for dealing with the challenges of

being a young person in a military family.

Military Youth Summits

Deployment Cycle Support and Programming

Youth Camps

Community based events

Resource and Referral to Military Families

Support to schools and educators

Child and Youth events are open to military youth

between the ages of 7 - 17.

For more details visit: https://wisconsinmilitary.org/cyp/

Like the program on Facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/WINGYouthProgram/

Confidential National Resources

Transition Assistance Advisor

The core mission of the Strong Bonds program, a chaplain-led program, is to increase individual service members, and family members readiness through relationship education and skills training.

Strong Bonds is conducted in an offsite retreat format to maximize the training effect. The retreat or “get away” provides a fun, safe, and secure environment in which to address the impact of relations,

deployments, and military lifestyle stressors.

For a list of events and registration information visit:

https://www.wisconsinmilitary.org/chaplain/

State Chaplains Office - Strong Bonds

Questions about your services members veterans benefits?

Transition Assistance Advisors (TAA) serve as the subject matter expert on all matters related

to veterans benefits, programs and services.

The primary objective is to serve as the statewide point of contact and coordinator to assist service members and

their families identify and receive veterans benefits or help with any other challenges they may encounter as a

result of the military service.

The Wisconsin TAA is dedicated to ensuring service members and their families are provided with quality care

delivered in a consistently superior manner, for every eligible benefit, program and service.

To connect with your TAA visit: https://wisconsinmilitary.org/taa/

Family Workshops Married Workshops

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Military Families Couples Communication I & II

Family Wellness Active Relationships

Active Relationships Fearless Marriage

Individual Workshops Single & Married Workshops

P.I.C.K. - Premarital Interpersonal Choices and Knowledge The Five Love Languages

Got Your Back

Operational Security (OPSEC)

Be vigilant - Who is listening?

Only share information on need a know basis

Use safe social media

Puzzle Pieces

These bits of information may seem insignificant. However, to a trained adversary, they are small pieces of a puzzle that highlight what we’re doing and planning. Remember, the elements of security and surprise are vital to the accomplishment of our goals and our collective personnel protection.

Where and how you discuss this information is just as important as with whom you discuss it. Adversary agents tasked with collecting information frequently visit some of the same stores, clubs, rec areas, or places

of worship as you do.

Determined individuals can easily collect data from cellphones, wireless home monitoring systems, and even monitors, using inexpensive receivers.

If anyone, especially a foreign national, persistently seeks information, notify your military sponsor immediately.

What is OPSEC?

OPSEC is keeping potential adversaries from discovering our critical information. As the name suggests, it protects our operations - planned, in

progress, and those completed.

Success depends on secrecy and surprise, so the military can accomplish the mission faster and with less risk. Our adversaries want our information, and

they don’t concentrate on only soldiers to get it. They also want you, the family member.

You Are a Vital Player

As a family member of our military community, you are a vital player in our success, and we couldn't do our

job without your support. You may not know it, but you also play a crucial role in ensuring your loved ones

safety. You can protect your family and friends by protecting what you know of the military's operations

(drill schedule, deployments, troop movements, shortfalls in equipment and manning, security

measures). That’s OPSEC.

Protecting Critical Information

Even though information may not be secret, it can be what we call “critical information”. Critical

information deals with specific facts about military intentions, capabilities, operations or activities. If an adversary knew this details information, our mission

accomplishment and personnel safety could be jeopardized. It must be protected to ensure an

adversary doesn't gain a significant advantage. By being a member of the military family, you will often

know some bits of critical information.

Examples of Critical Information

Detailed information about the mission of assigned unit

Details on location and times of unit deployments including drill weekends and Annual Training

Personnel transactions tat occur in large numbers (i.e. pay information, power of attorney, wills)

References to trends in unit morale or personnel and equipment problems

How to Limit Your Vulnerability on Social Media

Never accept a friend request from someone you do not know, even if they know a friend of yours

Don’t share information that you don’t want to become public

Be cautious when listing your job, military organization, education and contact information

Providing too much information in your profile can leave you exposed to people who want to steal your identity or steal sensitive operational information

Do not post personally identifiable information

If you aren't comfortable placing the same information on a sign in your front yard - don’t put it online

Refrain from checking-in and indicate that you are not home

Check your privacy settings