ACS hosts successful Family Academy

Despite subzero windchills, slippery roads and the dreaded flu bug, nine people attended. According to Mike Kesling, the AFTB and Volunteer coordinator for ACS, the event was a success.

The attendee evaluations indicated a need exists for such a class and using the AFTB Phase One Modules is an appropriate vehicle. Feedback from the attendees will be used to improve the program, he said.

Kesling said the attendees represented a cross section of Fort McCoy's broad customer base.

One attendee represented the Wisconsin Army National Guard Family Program and its 42 Regional Family Support Groups. Another represented the 85th Division Family Program. The 6015th Garrison Support Unit was represented, as were the Army Reserve Readiness Training Center (ARRTC) and civilian employees of the Department of the Army.

"We're hoping the representatives spread the word about the program," Kesling said. "Our ultimate goal is to be able to offer the program to every unit and organization on the installation."

Kesling said AFTB instructors customize the courses to meet the needs of the Fort McCoy community.

For example, in the module dealing with chain of command, the instructor explained why the installation has three colonels - the installation commander, the commander of the 2nd Brigade, 85th Division (Training Support) and the ARRTC commandant - and how they fit into the Fort McCoy chain of command.

ARRTC Command Sgt. Maj. Cliff Fargason said he attended the training because he wanted to know what his soldiers need to know.

Knowing AFTB information is very valuable for new soldiers and their families coming to the installation, Fargason said.

A newly married spouse with no military experience also would find this information helps ease the transition from civilian to military life.

Civilian employees and their family members, as a whole, would find the information presented helpful to their understanding of the military, as well. Fargason said the information will increase understanding for both groups and help make for a better home life.

"A better home life makes for a better job life," Fargason said. "It was a great introduction into community life."

Laurene Jones, an AFTB trainer who works as a civilian employee at the Directorate of Business Services (DBS) - Information Management, instructed the Benefits and Entitlements module of AFTB Phase I.

"The people who were there said 'yes, our people need to know this information,'" Jones said.

One person who attended told Jones that she wished she had had the AFTB information when her son was involved in Desert Storm because it would have made it easier. AFTB is a support system for the entire family, Jones said.

Jones said civilians who travel in a temporary-duty status to other installations also would benefit from the AFTB information.

The courses are designed to be taught in a work-study group environment, but can be taken on a one-on-one basis. Participants can take an entire module of a program or they can take a specific course if they want to brush up in any one area. AFTB offers three modules - Levels I, II and III.

The instructors for the Family Academy included ACS staff and installation volunteers from DBS, Directorate of Training and Mobilization and the Directorate of Protective Services. Kesling said the experiences they brought and shared with the attendees represented more than 150 years of military-related time, whether it be as a military spouse, active enlisted service member, enlisted and officer retirees and Department of the Army professional subject matter experts.

ACS is actively recruiting personnel who can use their experience in the Army or association with the Army to teach AFTB courses, Kesling said.

For more information about AFTB, call Kesling at (608) 388-3540.