Family Support fromtheeditor
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Family readiness groups off er geographically dispersed military families a centralized place to network, stay connected, and fi nd support at all stages of service.
Each August,Military Offi cer takes a look at America’s Guard and Reserve troops. In previous years, we’ve interviewed the com- mander of Marine Forces Reserve (“Flex- ible Force,” August 2010) or considered the National Guard’s innovations in disaster response (“Guarding Against Disaster,” August 2011). This time around, our feature articles focus on the strength behind the scenes: Guard and Reserve families. Family readiness groups (FRGs) marry an old idea — their roots lie with Martha Washington in the Revolutionary War era — with modern means of communication to create and maintain a vital connection among military families, commanders, and the community. “All in the Family,” page 54, examines the specifi c challenges fac- ing Guard and Reserve FRGs, which serve families spread over a wide geographic area, often without the support of a nearby military base. For those looking ahead to the end of their Guard or Reserve careers, “Navigating SBP,” page 58, lays out options to provide for your dependents. Your retired pay stops upon your death; the Survivor Benefi t Plan (SBP) off ers diff erent levels of protection for spouses and/or children who’ve made their own sacrifi ces over the years to sup- port their sponsors’ military service. SBP elections can be a source of confusion, but retired Navy reservist Cmdr. Katherine Tracy, a deputy director in MOAA’s Ben- efi ts Information and Financial Education Department, breaks them down for you.
12 MILITARY OFFICER AUGUST 2012 We round out this issue with a look at
how the military is making the most of off - the-shelf technology (“App-titude,” page 50) as well as a stereotype-busting feature on celebrities supporting the troops (“Sup- porting Role,” page 62). Minus the celebrity status, MOAA staff
also work hard to support the entire mili- tary community — and Col. Warren Lacy, USA-Ret., former editor in chief of Military Offi cer and director of MOAA’s Print and Digital Media Department, is no excep- tion. For 15 years, Lacy served the military community and MOAA members through Military Offi cer. I’d like to thank him for his leadership, for constantly leaning forward, and for keeping up with the many changes that came his way during his tenure. I am honored to step into the role of editor in chief of Military Offi cer and pledge to keep moving forward, enhanc- ing the way we communicate with you and exploring ways to better serve the entire MOAA membership through our communication products. The entire staff of Military Offi cer re- mains committed to keeping you informed of the challenges being faced by those who serve today, as well as those who served our great nation in the past. Our goal is to make sure you have the relevant information needed to be a part of One Powerful Voice®.
— Capt. Gordon J. Hume, USN-Ret.
PHOTO: MIKE OLLIVER
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