Resources For Our Troops and Their Families

West Virginia soldiers are a diverse group of fathers, mothers, sons and daughters. They come from our coalfields, our farms, our towns and our cities. They are young men and women fresh out of high school and older professionals whose hearts told them to re-enlist. I have met many of them, and their families, and am humbled in the presence of each and every one.

To each of you who have served or are currently serving your country, please know that your service is appreciated. We think of you every day, we think of you every evening, when we sit down at the dinner table to a bountiful meal, and we think of you every night when we tuck our children or grandchildren in bed, knowing they will sleep safe and soundly, in large part because of you.

West Virginia has a strong and proud tradition of military service.  These brave men and women are our heroes.  Our prayers are always with them for their safety and success.

                                                                     Sincerely,

                                                                     Rep. Nick J. Rahall, II.

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 Army     Navy     Air Force     Marines    

Coast Guard   National Guard     Reserves 

Army

Army Community and Family Support Center   The Army Community & Family Support Center serves as the headquarters for Army MWR (Morale, Welfare & Recreation).

Army Family Action Plan. The AFAP program seeks input regarding critical issues that affect the well being of soldiers, Army families, retirees, and DA civilians. All components are included-active duty, Army National Guard, and Army Reserves. AFAP issues are solicited directly from Army constituents through annual conferences convened at installations, major Army commands, and HQDA. The results from AFAP conferences are reported to leaders who ensure the issues are worked toward resolution.

Army Family Liaison Office    The AFLO serves as the Ombudsman for all Army soldiers, civilians and families of active Army, the Guard, Reserves and Retirees.

Army Family Team Building    Army Family Team Building is a volunteer-led organization which provides training and knowledge to spouses and family members to support the total Army effort. AFTB's mission is to educate and train all of America's Army in knowledge, skills, and behaviors designed to prepare our Army families to move successfully into the future.

Navy

Fleet and Family Support Division   The Fleet and Family Support Division provides support to Sailors, families and communities by providing policy guidance, field support, resources, and information services to people in need, their business partners, the Chain of Command and their field activities. They accomplish this through planning, oversight, advocacy, and research.

LIFELines   The LIFELines Service Network provides online resources in areas such as deployment readiness, family support, transition assistance and MWR.

Morale, Welfare, and Recreation Headquarters  The Navy MWR administers a variety of recreation, social and community support activities on U.S. Navy facilities worldwide. Their mission is to provide quality support and recreational services that contribute to the retention, readiness and mental, physical, and emotional well-being of sailors and their families.

Navy Family Ombudsman Program   This site is dedicated to support the volunteers who comprise the Naval professional Ombudsman team. This includes Ombudsmen, Ombudsman Assembly members and Naval Services Family Line staff.

Navy Services FamilyLine   Naval Services FamilyLine is a volunteer, non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for every sea service family. This is achieved by answering questions from spouses about the military lifestyle, referring spouses to organizations which may be able to assist them, publishing and distributing free booklets and brochures which contain very helpful information, and developing successful educational programs for the sea service spouse.

Ombudsman Journal   This is the official journal of the Navy Ombudsman Program. The Ombudsman Program is a highly trained volunteer force who is able to offer support and guidance to Command families and to act as an official liaison between the Command and its families.

Surface Spouses   The Navy Surface Spouses provide a comprehensive resource for sailors and their families enabling them to access information about the Navy communities in which they reside or to which they may be relocating.

Air Force

Air Force Crossroads   Crossroads is the official community website of the U.S. Airforce. This site provides information on numerous topics including Air Force installations, family separation and readiness, medical and dental, and relocation.

USAF Combat Support and Community Services   Air Force Services exists to provide combat support to commanders directly in support of the Air Force mission. They also provide community service programs that enhance the quality of life for Air Force members and their families. These programs indirectly support the mission by improving morale, productivity, and retention. They offer a full range of military and community support programs at most major Air Force installations.

Marines

Marine Corps Community Services   MCCS exists to serve Marines and their families wherever they are stationed. MCCS programs and services provide for basic life needs, such as food and clothing; social and recreational needs; and even prevention and intervention programs to combat societal ills that inhibit positive development and growth.

Marine Corps Family Team Building   This service provides educational resources, services and a roadmap to the Marine Corps lifestyle to foster the personal growth and enhance the readiness of Marine Corps families.

Coast Guard

Coast Guard Ombudsman   The Coast Guard Ombudsman is a Coast Guard spouse who serves as a member of the Command, and functions as a liaison between families and the Commanding Officer.

National Guard

Army National Guard Family Readiness Program   The mission of this program is to: help bond Guard families together and promote a sense of camaraderie; relay vital information from the Director and the Family Readiness Program in order to lessen the feeling of isolation and convey the Director's concerns for the well being of Guard families; aid Guard families in better understanding the mission of the ARNG; keep Guard families informed about activities sponsored by the Director and /or the Family Readiness Program; and provide an avenue for Guard families to share some of the common rewards, or tensions and frustrations of military life.

National Guard Bureau Family Support   In the aftermath of the Cold War, members of the Guard and Reserve are being called to active duty to an unprecedented extent. In recent years we have repeatedly called reservists to duty involuntarily for missions in Bosnia, Kosovo, and Southwest Asia. Contingency operations like these have placed enormous strains on our service members and their families. This site provides information on the steps the NGB is taking to enhance family support and readiness.

National Guard & Reserve Family Readiness Strategic Plan   Prepared by the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs and the Office of Family Policy (within the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Personnel Support, Families and Education) this plan seeks to ensure that reservists and their families are prepared to cope with the strains associated with long or repeated deployments and are adequately served by military family care systems, networks and organizations.

The National Guard Family Program Community   The National Guard Family Program Community helps military personnel and their families prepare for deployment. This site offers useful information on topics such as education, employment, benefits, financial and legal issues.

Reserves

Guide to Reserve Family Member Benefits  This guide provides an overview of military benefits and how to access them. It identifies eligibility requirements associated with some entitlements and provides guidance for obtaining assistance on specific questions and problems.

Army Reserve Family Program   This program provides information on family program support offices, reserve family member benefits, family readiness handbooks, and reserve family news.

Navy Reserve Ombudsman Online   The Reserve Ombudsman provides a volunteer force who is able to offer support and guidance to families.

National Guard & Reserve Family Readiness Strategic Plan     Prepared by the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs and the Office of Family Policy (within the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Personnel Support, Families and Education) this plan seeks to ensure that reservists and their families are prepared to cope with the strains associated with long or repeated deployments and are adequately served by military family care systems, networks and organizations.

Air Force Reserve Family Readiness   Families of deployed reservists will be assisted and supported by the Family Readiness office. The types of deployment assistance services the family can expect include: family support groups, reunion information, and volunteer opportunities.

Marine Corps Reserve Community Services   Marine Corps Community Services (MCCS) is the byproduct of merging the Corps old Morale, Welfare, and Recreation and Human Resources programs and tailoring them to better meet today's needs in personal and family readiness. MCCS is designed around five essential, required capabilities: Marine Corps Family Team Building, Personal Services, Semper Fit, Business Operations, and General Support. Marine Forces Reserve, due to the Forces unique challenges, will focus on the first three.

Coast Guard Reserve Member, Family, and Employer Support   This page has been designed to aid the Coast Guard Reservist, their families, and employers to better understand the benefits and nature of reserve service.

Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs   This site is dedicated to today's Reserve force. It provides information about the policies, programs, and initiatives that OSD/Reserve Affairs manages for the National Guard and Reserve Components of the United States Armed Forces. This includes family support/readiness issues.