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Army Family Team Building, Fort Benning, GANew Army FamilySurvival GuideFort Benning, GAArmy Family Team Building7117 Baltzell AvenueFort Benning, GA 31905706-545-27941
A Warm Welcome to the Army Family!!Congratulations on becoming a member of the Army Family. We hope this handbook will makeit easier for you to integrate into the larger Military Family. Life with the military will bring manychanges and challenges, but with a smile and a positive attitude, it can be the adventure of alifetime.This handbook covers general information concerning the military. After you arrive at yourfirst military duty location, you and your Soldier should acquaint yourselves with the area andthe post/base facilities. You are also encouraged to attend a newcomers’ briefing ororientation. Each post/base has its own way of welcoming newcomers.The facilities andservices that are available will vary depending on the size of the post/base.
Army Family Team Building, Fort Benning, GATable of ContentsWelcome5What Can You Expect from Us6What We Expect from You6BCT Training Explained8Basic Training for New Army Families11How to Access “Basic Training for New Army Families”13First Things First (DEERS & ID Card)24Army Community Service25American Red Cross29Child, Youth and School Services29Staff Judge Advocate30Medical Services30Dental Services31Veterinary Services32Chapels32Civilian Personnel Advisory Council32Education Center32Shopping Facilities33Recreation33Family Readiness Groups35Deployment35Military Customs, Traditions and Protocol37What to Wear?39Social Functions41Other Military Functions and Courtesies43Personal Affairs44When it’s Time to Move45Housing48Employment50Words of Wisdom513
Army Family Team Building, Fort Benning, GAUseful Websites53What does it mean? (Acronyms)55Military Times59Army Ranks60Command Structure62Military Phonetic Alphabet63Common Questions & Answers644
Army Family Team Building, Fort Benning, GAWelcomeCongratulations on becoming a member of the Army Family. We hope this handbook will make iteasier for you to integrate into the larger Military Family. Life with the military will bring manychanges and challenges, but with a smile and a positive attitude, it can be the adventure of alifetime. This handbook covers general information concerning the military. After you arrive atyour first military duty location, you and your Soldier should acquaint yourselves with the areaand the post/base facilities. You are also encouraged to attend a newcomers’ briefing ororientation. Each post/base has its own way of welcoming newcomers. The facilities and servicesthat are available will vary depending on the size of the installation.The Family Readiness Group also known as FRG, is a command-sponsored organization ofSoldiers, civilian employees, family members and volunteers belonging to a unit. Our FRG ismade up solely of volunteers. The purpose of the FRG is to assist unit commander in enhancingfamily readiness. Encourage self- sufficiency by providing information, referral assistance andmutual support. To provide a network of communications among family members, chain ofcommand and community resources. We like to think of the FRG as just being a good neighbor!Everyone is automatically a member of the FRG simply by being assigned to the unit. You do nothave to join and you should not wait to be asked to come to a meeting. Upon arrival to your firstduty station, ask about your FRG and volunteer to be involved. The FRG always needs goodvolunteers. Remember, not all FRG are the same, and each are only as good as what yourvolunteers put into them. So it’s up you to you as a volunteer to be a part of creating a positiveFRG environment.The purpose of this Guide is to give you a glimpse into your Soldier’s BCT experience and helpyou integrate into the Army so that you may become empowered, well- informed, and resilientArmy families.5
Army Family Team Building, Fort Benning, GAWhat Can You Expect from Us?1. You can expect to have the opportunity to learn about the Army. We have a program called BasicTraining for New Army Families. You can read more about this later.2. You can expect to get tons of information about the Army through the Family Survival Guide(FSG), Commanders Letter (CL) and on the FaceBook page.3. You can expect to receive the most current and up to date information that is available throughthe Company FaceBook page.What Can We Expect from You?We expect you to be responsible to learn the information that we have provide for you. Take sometime and read all of it and then re-read it as many times as you need to. We also suggest printingit as well. As stated before, our goal is for you to be become empowered, well- informed, andresilient Army Families. This cannot happen unless you take responsibility for yourself. We willnot do for you what you can and should do for yourself!We expect you to be flexible and understanding. There is a reason for everything we do even ifyou don’t understand or agree with it. As a family member you are oftentimes not entitled to havean explanation. We understand that is frustrating because we are in the same boat, butexperience has taught us that Army life is much easier if you learn to go with the flow!We expect you follow the rules of the Company FaceBook page. Although you, as a familymember, did not enlist in the Army, you do have to follow the rules the Army has set forth. This ispractice for the real Army is what you will encounter at your first duty station. Thus the reason weinsist on strict adherence to the rules of this page. It is important to note that your Soldier isheld responsible for your actions. So please act accordingly.6
Army Family Team Building, Fort Benning, GAAny rude or derogatory comments after a volunteer has deleted a question or answered aquestion will result in you being banned from the page immediately. We have a zero tolerancepolicy for this!Statements that you “would sure like to see pictures of ” and “Sure wish I could get callfrom .” and others like it will be DELETED. If it becomes a problem you will be banned fromthe page.Requests for photos, phone calls, direct messages to your soldier, or requests for us to relaymessages to your soldier will be DELETED. If it becomes a problem you will be banned from thepage.Any rude or derogatory comments anywhere on the page will result in you being immediatelybanned! The use of offensive language or racial slurs will result in you being immediately bannedfrom this page. We have a zero tolerance policy in regards to this as well.We reserve the right to add to these rules as we deem necessary.**Note: Please help us keep this site family friendly! There are lots of grandparents and childrenthat visit it to see their loved ones! Don’t be “that” person!ASKING QUESTIONSPlease keep your questions to the “need to know” kind, rather than the “would like to know” kind.Our volunteers are spouses that have very busy schedules so please respect their time by askingrelevant questions that ARE NOT ALREADY ANSWERED IN THIS GUIDE. Information that youhave already been given in this Guide and any question that has already been asked andanswered in previous questions on FaceBook will not be repeated. We suggest you read theentire Family Survival Guide, print it out, and refer back to it BEFORE you ask a question.7
Army Family Team Building, Fort Benning, GABCT TRAINING PHASES EXPLAINEDWeek 0: ReceptionSoldiers complete administrative actions required to become part of the Army. Simple tasks aredone, such as medical examinations, setting up pay, and initial issue of equipment is completed.This process typically takes between two and three days but can take over a week in somecases.Weeks 1-3: Red PhaseWelcome to BCT! Soldiers meet their Drill Sergeants and begin training. While often considereda difficult week for Soldiers due to the adjustments, it is actually pretty easy compared to laterweeks. Most classroom-type training occurs in this period where Soldiers learn about:Ballistics and Rifle Marksmanship FundamentalsPersonal financial managementLaw of Land WarfareUniform Code of Military Justice (Military Law)Dismounted Land Navigation (using a map and compass)Fundamentals of Physical ReadinessNutritionRappelling and navigating rope bridgesDrill and Ceremonies (marching)Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical (NBC) Defense (often referred to as the Gas Chamber)FieldcraftPatrollingWeeks 4-6: White PhaseThis phase is sometimes referred to the rifleman phase, qualification phase, shoot phase, andsome other names. Whatever the term, the training focus is the same.how to identify, track,target, and effectively engage targets with a rifle. In a word, Soldiers learn "Marksmanship". Thetraining is progressive and becomes more difficult as the training progresses:Fundamentals of Rifle Marksmanship are reinforcedZero a rifle (align the rifle sites to hit targets at different distances)8
Army Family Team Building, Fort Benning, GAEngage targets at various distancesEngage targets at various distances using three different positionsProne supported (laying down with a brace to hold the weapon steady)Prone unsupported (laying down using only your hands to hold the weapon steady)Kneeling unsupported (one knee on the ground, resting the weapon on the other knee)Night Infiltration Course (Low crawl several hundred meters while machine guns are being firedoverhead.)Live Grenade ThrowsEngage targets at various distances with limited timePrioritize and engage multiple simultaneous targets at various distances with limited timeEngage targets at various distances, with limited and variable amounts of time, with a changingnumber of simultaneous targets available at any particular time.passing this requirement is alsoknown as Rifle Qualification.Weeks 7-9: Blue PhaseThe culminating phase of BCT, Soldiers combine the skills they learned in earlier phases oftraining to complete advanced combat tasks.Advanced Rifle Marksmanship(close combat and use of aiming tools such as lasers)Patrol and attack as a squadManeuver and engage targets as part of a teamEmploy "crew-served" and more powerful weaponsM203 40mm Grenade LauncherMilitary Operations in Urban Terrain (MOUT - Fighting in a city)Convoy DefenseImprovised Explosive Device (IED) DefeatLong-distance Road Marching with combat loadForward Operating Base (FOB) operationsControl Point operationsCleaning and resetting all assigned equipment / Final Inspection9
Army Family Team Building, Fort Benning, GAWeek 10: GraduationThe final week of BCT is all about you and your Family. After completing the final training eventsto include a week of field training and a 16km march under load back into the main part of thepost, Soldiers are given a day with their Families to catch up and share their experiences. On thefollowing day, Soldiers graduate and are sent to the next phase of their training that in almost allcases is Advanced Individual Training (AIT).10
Army Family Team Building, Fort Benning, GABasic Training for New Army FamiliesFort Benning is pleased to announce a program that will prepared for the Army Lifestyle andintroduce you to Family Readiness Groups (FRG), manage your expectations and empower youwith the skills that you will need to become resilient Army Families! Your willingness to participateis the only criteria. Everyone is welcome to join in!Basic Training for New Army Families is a disciplined course designed to transform civilianfamilies into informed, high functioning, resilient, empowered Military Families, much like BasicTraining for Soldiers transforms civilians onto Soldiers.Basic Training for New Army Families is staffed by FRG volunteers and guided by ArmyCommunity Service (ACS) and Army Family Team Building (AFTB) staff and has the potential tomeet the specific educational needs of BCT Families. It is our goal to each new Army Familieshow to use Programs and Services already available.During the next 10 weeks you will have the opportunity to take a series of online classes calledArmy Family Team Building (AFTB). Army Family Team Building is a training/awareness programdesigned to increase the self-sufficiency and self-reliance of military family members. Theclasses are available in both English and Spanish. These classes will provide you with just aboutall the information a new Army family should need. In essence, you can train at the same time asyour Soldier so that you will be better prepared for this new Army life. It is a great opportunity toshow support to your Soldier!There are a total of 24 online classes. The shortest class takes about 10 minutes with the longesttaking about 40 minutes. You will need to register for AFTB, but we will provide the directions withscreen shots so it will be easy to enroll.In exchange for the Family members completing BOTH AFTB Level I and Level II, the Companywill post a picture of the Soldier in Training. To receive the picture, the Family member emailscopies of their AFTB Level I & II certificates to the unit’s Family Readiness Group email addressprovided in their welcome letters. Along with copies of the Certificates of Completion, the Family11
Army Family Team Building, Fort Benning, GAmember MUST include the Soldiers name, soldiers unit (Platoon, Company/Troop &Battalion/Squadron) and class number. The lack of this information will delay the posting of thepicture.There will be a limit of one picture per Soldier. It is the Units' responsibility to take thepictures and post them on the Company FaceBook page.There may be when circumstances beyond our control will happen and photographing yoursoldier’s may not be possible, whether it be a last minute change in the training schedule or thevolunteer may have their own personal matter to deal with, so please be patient andunderstanding. A message will be posted in the event pictures are delayed.“Give a man a fish, feed him for a day! Teach himto fish, feed him for a lifetime!”12
Army Family Team Building, Fort Benning, GAHOW TO ACCESS .BASIC TRAININGFOR NEW ARMYFAMILIES***Please note: www.myarmyonesource.com is not compatible with Apple computers/tablets.The best browsers to use Windows Explorer or Mozilla Firefox.13
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Army Family Team Building, Fort Benning, GAThere are also applications that provides a digital version of the material that isprovided in the course. Certifications cannot be made through the applications.We encourage Family members to use this as a quick reference guide to all thingsArmy. It is also reference to the material taught in the course. This application alsocontains contact information for all U.S. Army AFTB programs, as well asdescriptions and information about the program.22
Army Family Team Building, Fort Benning, GANEW ARMY FAMILYSURIVAL GUIDERESOURCES23
Army Family Team Building, Fort Benning, GAFirst Things FirstThe most important and very first thing you should do is ensure your Soldier has youenrolled in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System, or DEERS. This is thesystem the military uses to ensure only authorized persons receive treatment at itsfacilities. Your Soldier must enroll you at a uniformed services personnel office. You canfind the nearest uniformed services personnel office by following this link:http://www.dmdc.osd.mil/rsl. In order to be enrolled you will be asked to provideimportant documents for all dependents and children, such as: marriage license, birthcertificates, and social security cards.As a new military spouse, you will need a military Identification Card (ID card). Yourmilitary ID card is necessary in order to gain access to the valuable services yourSoldier’s service entitles you to. Your ID card is your access to your medical benefits.Should you be referred to civilian agencies, the ID card is your proof of insurance.The ID card will enable you to use The Exchange (sometimes referred to as the PX), theCommissary, and to receive medical care. ID cards are issued to all Family memberswho are 10 years or older. Due to its importance, you should always carry your ID cardwith you and guard it carefully. If the ID card is lost, the loss must be reported to theMilitary Police as soon as possible. To obtain your ID card, you will need the original orcertified copy of both your marriage and birth certificates. You will also need youroriginal Social Security card and a government issued photo ID. The Service MemberMUST accompany the Family member in order to authorize the issuance of the militaryID card.Also, we will list out many of the services and benefits provided to military dependentsthroughout this pamphlet. However, a great source for information and an excellent toolto be able to access is the Army One Source webpage. This web page can direct you toa solution for just about any issue that you may come across. You can access Army OneSource at the following link: http://www.myarmyonesource.com/default.aspx24
Army Family Team Building, Fort Benning, GASERVICES & RESOURCESArmy Community ServiceArmy Community Service (ACS) is a Soldier and Family support center that is usuallycentrally located on the post. Larger posts may even have satellite locations positionedcloser to military Family housing. ACS provides Army Families with information, guidance,assistance, or problem solving in personal or Family matters that are beyond the Family’sown resources. Many ACS facilities offer fax and photocopy services as well. All servicesprovided by ACS are free of charge to ID cardholders. Some of the programs run by ACSinclude, but are not limited to: Army Emergency Relief Program (AER) provides financial assistance in the form of 0%interest loans and grants to active duty and retired Army personnel and their Families intimes of distress. AER services are also available to activated Guard and ReserveSoldiers and their Families, as well as, Survivors. Army Family Action Plan (AFAP) is an Army-wide initiative to identify issues of concern toimprove the overall Quality of Life for Soldiers and their Families. This process is used toidentify the most critical well-being issues facing the Army today and provide suggestionsabout how things can be improved. Senior Army leadership places a great deal of emphasison issues raised through the AFAP process and work to ensure that, wherever possible,they are resolved. Army Family Team Building (AFTB) provides three levels of training: “Army 101” typeclasses for the new Army Family member, as well as, personal and professionaldevelopment. Classes may be delivered in a classroom setting or accessed online.Topics covered include: acronyms, rank structure, time and stress management,Department of Defense structure and Family Readiness Groups (FRGs) to name a few.All new military spouses are encouraged to take these classes in order to gain a betterunderstanding of the military lifestyle. Soldiers are encouraged to take the classes aswell. Army Volunteer Corps (AVC) provides placement opportunities for volunteers based on25
Army Family Team Building, Fort Benning, GAinterest and agency needs. AVC assists organizations with volunteer recruitment, trainingand guidance for volunteer recognition. Volunteering is a great way to make friends,discover more about your new area and to gain valuable work experience. Althoughvolunteer jobs do not offer pay, they do offer a wealth of skills, training, experience andnetworking opportunities. Employment Readiness Program (ERP) assists Active duty military, DA civilianemployees, spouses, retirees, surviving spouses, and Family members with identifyingimmediate and long range career goals while teaching the client howto write a successful resume. ERP can provide training and assistance with writing bothFederal and a civilian resumes, two completely different types of documents. Classes onnetworking, professional dress and mock interviews are also offered. Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) is a mandatory enrollment program forSoldiers and their Family members that are identified with special needs. The EFMP workswith other military and civilian agencies to provide comprehensive and coordinatedcommunity support, housing, educational, medical, personnel, and respite care services toFamilies with special needs members. For those military Families with identified specialneeds members, the EFMP can be an invaluable tool. Family Advocacy Program (FAP) supports Army Soldier readiness by enhancing Familyself-sufficiency, community cohesion, safety, and personal preparedness. The goal of FAPis to prevent Family violence by providing a variety of services designed to strengthenArmy Families. Family Advocacy may offer educational classes and other learningexperiences on topics such as Stress and Anger Management or Coping Skills to name afew. Financial Readiness Program (FRP) strives to create informed consumers by offeringconsumer education classes and individual budgeting counseling. FRP focuses onimproving a military Family's financial status and consumer knowledge. FRP can assist withsetting up a budget, reducing/eliminating credit card debt and balancing bank statementsamong other services.26
Army Family Team Building, Fort Benning, GA Information, Referral & Follow Up Program (I&R) provides information about ArmyCommunity Service (ACS) programs as well as numerous installation and communityresources. I&R offers information counseling to determine customer needs and then refersthem to the appropriate ACS program or other resources. I&R may follow-up after thereferral to ensure that the client received the assistance, information or quality services theyexpected. I&R also prepares and maintains a comprehensive Information and Resourcedatabank to assist with your integration into your new community. I&R should be your firststop upon arriving at your new duty station. Mobilization & Deployment Readiness Program (Mob/Dep) helps to better prepareSoldiers and Families for pending deployment. Deployment can be a highly emotionaland stressful event. Mob/Dep helps educates the Soldier and Family member on whatto expect and the best ways to prepare for all three stages of the deploymentcycle.Pre-deployment, Deployment, and Reintegration. Mob/Dep educates, trains andprepares FRGs to be combat multipliers is support of the commander and unit. New Parent Support Program (NPSP) was developed to help military Families with youngchildren to adapt to parenthood and to thrive as healthy Families no matter where theirservice may take them. The first three years of life are critical in a child's physical,emotional, and intellectual development. Military life presents some unique parentingchallenges that civilian Families may not face, such as frequent deployments, long dutyhours, moves to unfamiliar locations, and separation from extended Families and friends.This program is a “must” for all new parents. Outreach Services provides programs to foster a sense of belonging to the militarycommunity, to promote positive attitudes toward military life and enhance retention andreadiness. This is done by linking Family support programs to Soldiers and Familymembers and encouraging utilization of on and off post services. The result will be toreduce isolation, stress and frustration frequently experienced by young military Families.27
Army Family Team Building, Fort Benning, GA Relocation Readiness Program (RRP) provides information and resources for today'smobile Army Family. RRP provides information, guidance and assistance to Soldiers andtheir Families during, before and after moves. Welcome Packets, classes for foreign bornspouses, assistance during emergencies, and theLending Closet are a few of the services offered. New Soldiers and FamilyMembers are encouraged to attend classes offering instruction on how to prepare formoves to include instruction on how to pack up your household goods, how to prepareyour children for frequent moves and how to keep up with your student’s educationalrecords and transcripts. Soldier and Family Assistance Center (SFAC) assists Soldiers andCommanders in identifying and resolving emerging health related, personal,And social issues affecting wounded Soldiers, civilians, and their Families, as well assupports the Warriors in Transition (WT) community through the development, coordination,and provision of varied services designed to address complex physical, personal, Family,social, and economic needs. Survivor Outreach Services (SOS) is an Army program developed to serve SurvivingFamilies of the Fallen. SOS provides long-term support, resources and emotionalconnections by maintaining a continual relationship between Survivors and the Army. SOSis available to all Survivors: spouses, children, parents, siblings and friends who are grievingthe loss of a Soldier regardless of how they died. SOS coordinates with Military, NonGovernmental Organizations and the local community to create a support network. AllArmy, Army National Guard and Army Reserve component Survivors are eligible toparticipate. Victim’s Advocacy Program provides immediate response for victims of domesticviolence and/or sexual assault. Information and referral on services available on and offpost are provided to victims and survivors. If you or someone you know is or hasexperienced domestic violence or sexual assault, contact your local ACS or MilitaryOneSource at 1-800-342-9647 for assistance. Additional information regarding the ArmySexual Harassment and Response Policy (SHARP) can be found at the followingwebsite: http://www.preventsexualassault.army.mil/28
Army Family Team Building, Fort Benning, GAIt is important to note that the Army SHARP program extends to all spouses anddependents as well as the Soldier. There are several ways to report sexual harassmentor assault through the SHARP program (restricted and unrestricted, primarily), andinformation on all can be found at the website.For immediate support regarding sexual assault or sexual harassment call 1-877- 9955247 or text a location or zip code to 55-247 (within CONUS) or 202-470-5546 (OCONUS)or online chat with a counselor at www.SafeHelpline.org 24 hours a day.American Red Cross (ARC)The ARC provides rapid communication and reporting of personal and Family emergencies,financial assistance for emergency leave and disaster assistance. Many volunteeropportunities are available through the ARC. Red Cross volunteers work in libraries, schoolsand hospital clinics as nurses, social workers and instructors. Red Cross courses are availableto both service members and Family members.Child, Youth and School Services (CYSS)Child Development Services consist of a network of programs which provide quality care forchildren of military personnel and eligible DOD civilian personnel. The programs are designedto provide a safe, healthy and stimulating environment while providing developmental activities.Full time and hourly care may be offered depending on the facilities and staffing of your newlocation. CYSS also coordinates and manages all of the on-post children’s recreational sports.Fort Benning currently offers soccer, baseball, basketball, football, cheerleading, wrestling andmore. Once you find out your Soldiers duty station, follow the link on the Post’s main website tothe CYSS page to see what sports will be available for your children! CYSS also offers fun andeducational classes for children ranging from drivers education and dance to cooking andmusic! The most important thing to do to prepare your children to be eligible for these great29
Army Family Team Building, Fort Benning, GAbenefits is to register them. You can get more information on registering your children to aparticular garrison at the following link to the Army CYSS main taff Judge Advocate General (SJA)This office offers free legal assistance to ID card holders on topics such as powers of attorney,wills, trusts, estates, taxes, adoptions and name changes. The SJA office also has a CriminalLaw Division which deals with military justice and a Claims Division. One thing that you and yourspouse should seriously consider is setting up a power of attorney. Powers of attorney can beestablished for a myriad of things, ranging from giving one spouse the ability to register avehicle in the others name all the way to purchasing a house in their name. The power ofattorney gives legal authority for one spouse to conduct legitimate business on the other’sbehalf. The post legal office will be able to provide you more detailed information regardingeach state’s view of powers of attorney and what they are required for.Medical ServicesThe Military Health System provides medical care via Military Treatment Facilities (MTF)located on military bases and in regional TRICARE Networks of civilian providers.Every MTF offers information and assistance through the Patient Advocate and theBeneficiary Counseling and Assistance Coordinator (BCAC). The Patient Advocate helps thebeneficiary resolve problems or issues that arise at the MTF. The BCAC answers questionsabout the TRICARE medical benefit and assists with problems that arise when civilianhealthcare is used. Both provide accurate information on how to access military or civilianhealth care.Upon receiving a military ID card, spouses are automatically entitled to TRICARE Standard withmedical coverage retroactive to the marriage date entered in DEERS. This fee-for-service plan30
Army Family Team Building, Fort Benning, GA
with the skills that you will need to become resilient Army Families! Your willingness to participate is the only criteria. Everyone is welcome to join in! Basic Training for New Army Families is a disciplined course designed to transform civilian families into informed, high functioning
