DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY COMMANDER

NAVY EXPEDITIONAR Y COMBAT COMMAND1575 GATOR BLVD, SUITE 150

VIRGINIA BEACH, VA 23459-3024

COMNECCINST 1754.1C N02F

COMNECC INSTRUCTION 1754.1C

From: NAVY EXPEDITIONARY COMBAT COMMAND SAILOR AND FAMILY READINESS PROGRAM

Ref: (a) OPNAVINST 1750.1G (b) OPNAVINST 1754.5B (c) OPNAVINST 1740.3C (d) DODI 1342.28 (e) CNRFC 1342.1A (f) COMNECCINST 1738.1 (g) COMNECCINST 5040.2A (h) OPNAVINST 3006.1

Encl (1) SFRP Assessment Program Compliance Metrics (2) Integrated Fleet Readiness Training Plan Template (3) CFRT Training Matrix (4) Family Readiness Officer’s Responsibilities

1. Purpose. This instruction establishes policy and assigns responsibility for the standardized implementation of the Navy Expeditionary Combat Command (NECC) Sailor and Family Readiness Program (SFRP) to ensure each command, regardless of deployment status or operational tempo, maintains optimum personal and family readiness thereby enhancing each command’s operational readiness.

2. Cancellation. COMNECCINST 1754.1B

3. Policy. All NECC commands will establish a SFRP to address Family Readiness matters per programs and processes identified in references (a) through (h). Expeditionary warfare units operate in environments and at operational tempos that Fleet-oriented Family Readiness programs do not always adequately address. All commands shall integrate Family Readiness into the command’s Fleet Response Training Plan (FRTP).

4. Background. Mission readiness is the sum of a command’s operational readiness, the individual Sailors personal readiness and the readiness of families throughout the FRTP cycle. Traditionally, commands have focused on operational and individual

COMNECCINST 1754.1C

readiness issues, but have fallen short in developing a holistic approach that includes Family Readiness throughout the FRTP. There is a direct relationship between military proficiency and Sailor and Family Readiness – with their families in a higher state of readiness, individual Sailors are better able to perform their assigned missions efficiently, effectively and safely. By-products of a high state of Sailor and Family Readiness are in improved quality of life and feeling of empowerment. While no one program can completely negate the sacrifices inherent and unavoidable in a NECC Sailor’s lifestyle, an active SFRP can leverage resources and significantly mitigate many of the negative aspects. This document delineates with the Type Command (TYCOM) and subordinate commands must do to develop effective programs.

5. Scope. The intent of this instruction is to define the NECC’s Family Readiness organization and standardize processes, training, and implementation of NECC’s SFRP throughout the force.

6. Action. This instruction applies to all Active and Reserve Component NECC organizations and personnel, including Individual Augmentee (IA) personnel under COMNECC administrative control.

7. Organization. There are two critical components of the NECC Sailor and Family Readiness organization. The first is the NECC staff and the second is the Echelon IV and below Command Family Readiness Teams (CFRT). The TYCOM staff is responsible for establishing and supporting policies and programs that enhance Family Readiness across the force. The CFRTs of Echelon IV commands and their subordinates are responsible for establishing and sustaining viable SFRPs to serve their Sailors and families. All Commanders/Commanding Officers (CO) are accountable and responsible for implementing a program that complies with references (a) through (h) in this instruction and that addresses unique concerns and needs of unit CFRTs.

a. Type Commander Staff

(1) Program Component. COMNECC will establish a Sailor and Family Readiness Council (SFRC) to oversee the development, support and implementation of Family Readiness policies and programs throughout the NECC force. As the NECC’s principal Family Readiness planning body, the SFRC will monitor progress and foster milestone accomplishment of the Family Readiness Long Range Plan. The SFRC will also develop the agenda for NECC’s Family Readiness Symposium. The chairperson of the SFRC is the NECC Force Family Readiness Director. SFRC membership shall consist of the Force

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Master Chief, Family readiness Officer, Force Chaplain, Force Medical Officer, Force Embedded Mental health Program Director, Force Judge Advocate, Force Inspector General, Comptroller, NECC Assistant Chief of Staff for Training (N7), Warfighter Resiliency Program Manager, Force Public Affairs Officer, and Force Command IA Coordinator. The SFRC may call upon subject matter experts not listed as permanent members, including representatives of subordinate echelon CFRTs as necessary to support performance of duties. The SFRC will meet as least quarterly. Council duties are to act as principal advisory board and review and support Family Readiness initiatives. Council responsibilities of specific SFRC members are listed below:

(a) Force Family Readiness Director (FRD) is the Chairperson of the SFRC and responsible for the development of each council meeting’s agenda. The FRD is responsible and accountable for developing an annual and long range (3-year) plan to develop Family Readiness programs throughout the force. Additionally, the FRD is responsible for the continuing development of a CFRT training curriculum. The FRD serves as the force representative for NECC family issues within community and military organizations at national, state, and local levels. The FRD is the lead inspector of Echelon IV Family Readiness programs and will report assessments primarily to the NECC Inspector General under the Command Assessment program, and secondarily to the SFRC.

(b) Force master Chief (FORCM) serves as a primary advisor to the Commander on all programs or matters that relate to the enlisted force. FORCM will provide the SFRC with insight into current issues confronting Sailors and families, including morale, health, and welfare initiatives.

(c) Family Readiness Officer (FRO) serves as a primary advisor to the Commander and provides perspective on issues that should be addressed in order to support Family Readiness programs. As a mentor to ombudsmen and Family Readiness Officer/Homeport Liaison (FRO/HPL) throughout the force the FRO provides the SFRC with unique perspective on family issues.

(d) Force Chaplain advises the SFRC on all matters relating to religion, core values, ethics, command religious programs, quality of life, and the overall morale of the force and their families. Positive and negative trends noted will be communicated to the SFRC.

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(e) Force Medical Officer advises the SFRC on all healthcare matters as they apply to NECC Sailors and families.

(f) Embedded Mental Health Program Director advises the SFRC on all mental health issues and available mental health resources.

(g) Force Judge Advocate acts as the principal legal advisor to the SFRC in all matters, to include, but not limited to, ensuring all initiatives comply with: Federal statutes; Joint Ethics Regulations; Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) Office of the Chief of Naval Operations (OPNAV) requirements; and fiscal law.

(h) Force Inspector General (IG) shall advise the SFRC on trends identified from IG-related activities that impact Sailor and Family Readiness and advocate Quality of Service for Sailors and their families.

(i) Comptroller (N01F) serves as an advisor to ensure requested requirements are within statutory regulations of the appropriation provided and /or if another appropriation may need to be research.

(j) ACOS for Training (N7) provides the SFRC with subject matter expertise on FRTP executing within the force. N7 knowledge will allow the SFRC to link training opportunities for operational forces to Family Readiness training requirements.

(k) Warfighter Resiliency Program Manager provides the SFRC with advice on all matters relating to Resiliency and supports the FRD in the development of CFRT Training Curriculum.

(l) Force Public Affairs Officer advises the SFRC on internal information, public/external information, community relations, and marketing of Family Readiness programs and initiatives.

(m) Force Command IA Coordinator (CIAC) supports the SFRC by bringing issues and policy decisions affecting IA Sailors and families forward for consideration or action.

(2) SFRP Assessment Program. NECC will establish a comprehensive assessment program with compliance metrics to evaluate Echelon IV command SFRPs and the support that those commands offer to their subordinate (Echelon V and VI) commands per reference (g). SFRP assessments will be conducted in conjunction

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with NECC IG-led Command Assessments, but may be performed more often if circumstances warrant. Enclosure (1) provides compliance metrics for the SFRP Assessment Program.

(3) Sailor and Family Readiness Survey (SFRS). Echelon IV compliance with this directive will be measured at least annually, and when directed by COMNECC. NECC will conduct a SFRS on Echelon IV commands to evaluate the effectiveness of their SFRP and their oversight of their subordinate commands’ SFRP. Each month a new Echelon IV command will be sent the survey to conduct with their command and subordinate commands. This allows for individual Echelon IV commands to receive feedback and evaluate their SFRP.

(4) Appoint a Family Readiness Officer (FRO) to perform the duties as outlined in enclosure (4) (Some commands may refer to FRO as the Homeport Liaison (HPL) Officer).

(5) Develop and execute a Family Indoctrination Program for newly reporting Sailors and family members.

(6) Ensure Chaplains make available prevention and Relationship Enhancement Program (PREP) and Chaplain’s Religious Enrichment Development Operations (CREDO) retreats to their commands, regionally or by command, in a proactive manner as part of the SFRP.

8. Supporting Programs and Organizations

a. Fleet and Family Support Centers (FFSC). All NECC commands should coordinate with their local FFSC to provide Sailors and family members access to all available services for small group support, counseling, education, referral and follow-up. If the CFRT determines the FFSC support is inadequate to support command needs, commands may contact the NECC FRD to address the shortfall.

b. Navy Region Reserve Component Commands (NR RCC). NR ROC manages Yellow Ribbon events for the Navy Reserve forces per reference (e) to include the Deployment Readiness Training (DRT) and the Returning Warrior Workshops (RWW). The Navy Reserve Psychological Health Outreach Program (PHOP) is co-located with the RCC staff. The PHOP does not provide direct treatment or counseling to reserve Sailors or their families, but provides resource management service.

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9. Implementation. The policies and standards as outlined in this instruction shall be in effect until revised, superseded, or terminated.

P. L. MCELROY By direction

Distribution: (COMNECCINST 5216.1)Lists I, II and III

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SFRP ASSESSMENT PROGRAM COMPLIANCE METRICS

Per reference (g), the following compliance metrics will be used during the SFRP assessment.

COMPLIANCE METRICSSailor and Family Readiness Program

Provide a copy of command level instruction or policy (if applicable)Provide documentation on compliance of SFRP with subordinate commandsProvide copy of Command Family Readiness Team appointment lettersProvide certificate from Ombudsman Basic TrainingProvide CFRT training certificatesProvide record of Ombudsman budget supportProvide record of CFRT meetingsProvide copy of Integrated Fleet Response Training PlanIdentify means used by command to support OmbudsmanProvide list of FFSC training events that CFRT members attendProvide list of NECC training events that CFRT members attend

Enclosure (1)

INTEGRATED READINESSMaintenance

Sailor FamiliesSchools (Personal Development Training) Ombudsman and FRG recruitingCharacter & Leadership Training Family OrientationReintegration Training Workshop OPSECEthics Education Reintegration Training WorkshopSuicide Awareness NFAAS OverviewArt of Money Management Art of Money Management

BasicCommand Event for Sailors and their Families (Command sponsored)

Legal Services Legal ServicesTax Information CARE Team TrainingStress Management Stress ManagementOperation Prepare Operation PrepareBuilding Healthy Relationships Building Healthy Relations

IntegratedPredeployment Readiness for Sailors and their Families (Command sponsored)

Psychological First Aid Psychological First AidEmotional Cycles of Deployment Emotional Cycles of DeploymentNOVOSC Lead Crisis ManagementDeckplate Leader OSC Credit ManagementPersonal Communications Personal Communications

Sustainment (Deployment)Warrior Transition Program Family Events (every other month during deployment)Decompression Deployment SupportTransition briefs Family Transition ProgramEducation & Referral Return & ReunionNavy Reintegration Education & Referral

Sustainment (Reintegration)Homecoming event for Sailors and their Families

Operation Stress Control Operational Stress Control for Families

Enclosure (2)

CFRT TRAINING MATRIX

NECCCFRT Training

ACTIVECFRT members

Within 60 days

of reporting to command

RESERVECFRT members

Within 120 days

of reporting to Reserve unit

The intent of the NECC CFRT Training Course Lesson Plan is to provide newly reported Command Family Readiness Team members with familiarizations of the top 30 instructions/resources available to NECC Sailors and family members. Each instruction/resource has a summary and website for CFRT member to review. At the completion of the review, there is a certificate for command leadership to sign. A copy should be maintained in the binder for the SFRP assessment program. There is not a time limit set for review of each instruction/resource. Individual’s job scope will determine how familiar one will need to be with each resource.

It is highly encouraged to have the command FRO attend both the Ombudsman training and FRG training (if commands have a FRG). The two programs are very different and attendance at these training will make the FRO’s job easier.

Enclosure (3)

FAMILY READINESS OFFICER’S RESPONSIBILITIES

The FRO is a uniformed service member assigned FRO duties as a collateral duty. The FRO’s duties include:

1. Served as a command liaison to the command Ombudsman, FRG Leader, Sailors, and their families.

2. Provide direct coordination of the SFRP between the CFRT, Sailors, and families.

3. Participate in Command INDOC to ensure Sailors are aware of the SFRP and all available Family Readiness resources.

4. Meet with every Sailor during check-in and check-out processes. The FRO should be listed on the check-in and check-out sheet. During check-in interview, the FRO/HPL should distribute SFRP information and get spouse contact information.

5. Ensure the command Ombudsman receives a regularly updated command roster to include inbound personnel and families.

6. Contact the spouse of designed family of a newly reporting Sailor within 30 days of the individual reporting aboard and provide information on Family Orientation.

7. Provide assessment of the SFRP to prospective COs.

8. Promote Sailor and Family Readiness programs.

9. Coordinate command leadership attendance at graduations of Ombudsman Basic Training.

10. Ensure the timely submission of authorized volunteer reimbursement claims.

11. Coordinate Family Readiness training for Sailors and their families as part of the FRTP.

12. Arrange all appropriate SFRP administrative and logistical support.

Enclosure (4)