ASOCWebAFAP WHAT IS IT

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Army Family Action Plan
What is It \| Within USASOC \| Success Stories \| How it Works \| Facts
AFAP WHAT IS IT? The Army Family Action Plan (AFAP) is input from the people of the Army to Army leadership. It's a process that lets soldiers and families say what's working, and what isn't - AND what they think will fix it. It alerts commanders and Army leaders to areas of concern that need their attention, and it gives them the opportunity to quickly put plans into place to work toward resolving the issues. Gives commanders a gauge to validate concerns and measure satisfaction Enhances Army corporate image Helps retain the best and brightest Results in legislation, policies, programs and services that strengthen readiness and retention Safeguards well-being <back to top>
AFAP WITHIN USASOC The U.S. Army Special Operations Command (USASOC) conducts its annual AFAP forum in conjunction with its Family Readiness Conference. If you are a commander, you can support a strong AFAP program withi USASOC by identifying and sending the best cross representation from your unit. If you are a soldier, retiree, civilian, or family member - active, Guard, or Reserve, you can be part of local, MACOM, and HQDA AFAP programs. Express your concerns on the Issue Sheet provided. Volunteer to help with a conference, assist with the program. Become familiar with current USASOC AFAP issues - Become an ambassador for AFAP - tell people what's happening - get them energized to promote Army well-being through the AFAP process. (The Issue Update Book on the AFAP web site contains all of the issues). <back to top>
SOME AFAP SUCCESS STORIES Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance increased from $50,000 to $200,000. Basic Allowance for Housing increased by 11% -- part of a plan to eliminate out-of-pocket housing costs by 2005. A Military Savings Plan was authorized - anticipated implementation, Oct 01. AER provides grants in overseas locations to assist with financial aid for spouses to pursue undergrad, vo/tech, high school completion, and English-as-a-Second-Language studies. A DOD Reserve Component family member ID card was established. A vehicle can be stored at government expense when a soldier is reassigned to an area where shipment isn't authorized. Family Separation Allowance was increased from $75 to $100 per month. TLE was authorized for first-term enlisted personnel and is being pursued for first-term officers. Family Support Groups were institutionalized. Programs like Army Family Team Building (AFTB) and Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers (BOSS) were born. Informational and interactive websites have been established to address retirement information and planning, employment opportunities and application, and enlisted soldier assignments. <back to top>
A FEW FACTS AFAP was the brainchild of Army spouses. Each AFAP success story originated as an idea that someone decided to pursue. The Army is the only branch of DOD that has such a program. Almost 500 issues have entered the AFAP in its 17-year history. Many AFAP improvements impact quality of life for all services. AFAP is year-round - issues are continually being monitored and worked toward resolution...at local levels, MACOMs, and HQDA. <back to top>
HOW DOES AFAP WORK? Installations and local levels hold AFAP forums - active and Reserve soldiers, retirees, surviving spouses, DA civilians, family members, and tenant organizations identify issues they believe are important to maintain a good standard of living. Local commanders see to it that the issues are worked toward resolution -- about 90% of AFAP issues are retained and worked at local level, resulting in ongoing community improvements. Some issues are applicable beyond the local level - these are sent to MACOM AFAP conferences and to HQDA, where delegates from across the Army determine which will go into the AFAP. The issues that are selected for the AFAP are worked toward resolution by Army staff and DoD agencies. General Officer Steering Committee (GOSC), reviews the progress of AFAP issues on a semiannual basis. The AFAP GOSC is the final deciding authority on the status of all issues (determining if an issue is completed [resolved]), unattainable, or needs to remain active until the issue's stated objectives have been met. A board of key DoD and Army staff general officer and senior executive service representatives lend the "teeth" to the AFAP process. This board, the AFAP General Officer Steering Committee (GOSC), reviews the progress of AFAP issues on a semiannual basis. The AFAP GOSC is the final deciding authority on the status of all issues (determining if an issue is completed [resolved]), unattainable, or needs to remain active until the issue's stated objectives have been met. <back to top>
For more information, contact your USASOC AFAP Program Manager at (800) 525-6846 ext. 22093 AFAP Homepage

Army Family Action Plan

What is It | Within USASOC | Success Stories | How it Works | Facts

AFAP WHAT IS IT?

The Army Family Action Plan (AFAP) is input from the people of the Army to Army leadership. It's a process that lets soldiers and families say what's working, and what isn't - AND what they think will fix it. It alerts commanders and Army leaders to areas of concern that need their attention, and it gives them the opportunity to quickly put plans into place to work toward resolving the issues.

Gives commanders a gauge to validate concerns and measure satisfaction
Enhances Army corporate image
Helps retain the best and brightest
Results in legislation, policies, programs and services that strengthen readiness and retention
Safeguards well-being

AFAP WITHIN USASOC

The U.S. Army Special Operations Command (USASOC) conducts its annual AFAP forum in conjunction with its Family Readiness Conference.
If you are a commander, you can support a strong AFAP program withi USASOC by identifying and sending the best cross representation from your unit.
If you are a soldier, retiree, civilian, or family member - active, Guard, or Reserve, you can be part of local, MACOM, and HQDA AFAP programs.
Express your concerns on the Issue Sheet provided.
Volunteer to help with a conference, assist with the program.
Become familiar with current USASOC AFAP issues - Become an ambassador for AFAP - tell people what's happening - get them energized to promote Army well-being through the AFAP process. (The Issue Update Book on the AFAP web site contains all of the issues).

SOME AFAP SUCCESS STORIES

Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance increased from $50,000 to $200,000.
Basic Allowance for Housing increased by 11% -- part of a plan to eliminate out-of-pocket housing costs by 2005.
A Military Savings Plan was authorized - anticipated implementation, Oct 01.
AER provides grants in overseas locations to assist with financial aid for spouses to pursue undergrad, vo/tech, high school completion, and English-as-a-Second-Language studies.
A DOD Reserve Component family member ID card was established.
A vehicle can be stored at government expense when a soldier is reassigned to an area where shipment isn't authorized.
Family Separation Allowance was increased from $75 to $100 per month.
TLE was authorized for first-term enlisted personnel and is being pursued for first-term officers.
Family Support Groups were institutionalized.
Programs like Army Family Team Building (AFTB) and Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers (BOSS) were born.
Informational and interactive websites have been established to address retirement information and planning, employment opportunities and application, and enlisted soldier assignments.

A FEW FACTS

AFAP was the brainchild of Army spouses.
Each AFAP success story originated as an idea that someone decided to pursue.
The Army is the only branch of DOD that has such a program.
Almost 500 issues have entered the AFAP in its 17-year history.
Many AFAP improvements impact quality of life for all services.
AFAP is year-round - issues are continually being monitored and worked toward resolution...at local levels, MACOMs, and HQDA.

HOW DOES AFAP WORK?

Installations and local levels hold AFAP forums - active and Reserve soldiers, retirees, surviving spouses, DA civilians, family members, and tenant organizations identify issues they believe are important to maintain a good standard of living.
Local commanders see to it that the issues are worked toward resolution -- about 90% of AFAP issues are retained and worked at local level, resulting in ongoing community improvements.
Some issues are applicable beyond the local level - these are sent to MACOM AFAP conferences and to HQDA, where delegates from across the Army determine which will go into the AFAP. The issues that are selected for the AFAP are worked toward resolution by Army staff and DoD agencies.
General Officer Steering Committee (GOSC), reviews the progress of AFAP issues on a semiannual basis. The AFAP GOSC is the final deciding authority on the status of all issues (determining if an issue is completed [resolved]), unattainable, or needs to remain active until the issue's stated objectives have been met.
A board of key DoD and Army staff general officer and senior executive service representatives lend the "teeth" to the AFAP process. This board, the AFAP General Officer Steering Committee (GOSC), reviews the progress of AFAP issues on a semiannual basis. The AFAP GOSC is the final deciding authority on the status of all issues (determining if an issue is completed [resolved]), unattainable, or needs to remain active until the issue's stated objectives have been met.

For more information, contact your USASOC AFAP Program Manager at (800) 525-6846 ext. 22093

AFAP Homepage