RELEASE NUMBER: 090212-01
DATE POSTED: FEBRUARY 12, 2009

Army Family Action Plan Conference Planned

FORT BRAGG, N.C. (USASOC News Service, Feb. 12, 2009) - Planning is underway for the 2009 USASOC Army Family Action Plan (AFAP) Conference which will convene April 28 to May 1, 2009.  The USASOC community will have an opportunity to express their concerns on a variety of issues to Army leadership and make recommendations that have the potential to change the Army’s standard of living.

“The Army Family includes everyone,” said Barbara Giddens, USASOC AFAP program manager. “Soldiers, Family members, retirees, surviving spouses and DA civilians;  All are invited to submit issues they believe will improve military services, programs and policies affecting quality of life.”

This AFAP conference will give the USASOC community a part in continuing the 25-year tradition of senior leadership listening and responding to the concerns of Soldiers, Families, retirees and DA civilians at the grassroots level.   Several issues originating at previous USASOC conferences have closed with favorable results.

“All of these issues started out as ideas submitted to a USASOC conference,” Giddens said. “For example, the Army family has benefited from increased funding to the eArmyU program and more refractive eye surgery centers.  Just last year, two resolutions included increasing military annual leave carryover from 60 to 75 days, and the authorization of  funding for Family Readiness Support Assistants (FRSAs) to battalion level.”

Other issues, Enhanced Survivor Family Dental Benefits, OPSEC Training for Family Members and Academic Tutoring for Active Duty School Age Children, are still being reviewed by senior leaders at the highest level.  These results are the power of AFAP in action.

“We need your issues,” she said. Forms can be downloaded from the AKO or USASOCportals.   They can also be picked-up and dropped into a box in the lobby of the USASOC Headquarters, Building 2929.   Conference issues will be received until March 10, 2009.

 “Get involved!” she said. “This is an awesome opportunity to be a part of a process that institutes changes in programs, policies and services Army-wide.  If you enjoy making a difference, then we need you to be a part of the AFAP Team.”

To volunteer, get more information on conference participation or issue submissions, contact your unit FRSA or the USASOC AFAP Program Manager, Barbara Giddens, at 910-432-4040 or giddensb@soc.mil.

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