FR (OM) G...

F.R.G.

Yes, you read that right. Some people love them..some people hate them...some people wouldn't get involved is a large sum of money, fame and leave was riding on it! Being an FRG in a National Guard unit is definitely trying. I am the FRG President for my husband's Brigade & Units - albeit small (30 soldiers) - it's still pretty tough to get others involved. Unlike other units/brigades, our Soldier body is made up of E-5 and above only; so many of the spouses have done the FRG-thing for many years and have been bitten in the ass by a bad experience. Some spouses have already been there and done that and have no interest whatsoever in getting involved. Then there are a select few that do not support their spouse's military career at all and simply refuse to acknowledge it exist (he/she joined - not me). For me though, I wanted to get involved - just for the pure truth that our FRG leader sucked majorly and my husband was getting ready to deploy. She was ousted and I assumed the leadership role - selecting a couple of fantastic friends to help me pull this while thing off. Two year later...we are still hanging in there but getting tired and weary.

An FRG in a NG unit is a different (I think) from active Army. I could be wrong...I admit I could be wrong - so don't jump down my throat)..but we get together a couple of times throughout the year for events, pull together through deployment (again, we are a different brigade/MOS/unit - our soldiers deploy in small elite groups of 4), and I send out information I feel could be interesting. If it's something my husband would want or need to know - I send it out, otherwise I don't send out random shit that no one cares about. Usually I'm just emailing the soldier because their spouse doesn't want to be contacted and will not provide a contact email to the FRG. Sad...it really is.

So...why am I writing about FRG tonight...right now? Well, we have a fundraiser tomorrow at the armory (FRG Yard Sale), we've gotten lots of donations from out unit families but it's impossible to get anyone - other than my trusted leadership team (Secretary and Treasurer) to join the fun to help pull this off. Sometimes it really does take an Army to make something successful. We are burned out..done...and looking forward to this being our last fundraiser as part of the FRG leadership. We have a CoC in June and it will be the perfect time to pass the baton off to others. The sad thing is that there are no others stepping up to hand off to.

Right now, I am tired and cranky from spending most of my day with my Treasurer getting the Armory hall ready for the doors to open at 0700. I was embarrassed and honored that our Commander and FRG Liaison helped us set up for the last hour! They truly ROCK!

With a little luck we will make enough to pay for Family Day next month (you can bet your ass most all families will be there)...it would just be nice to have them help us earn the money.

Peace