UCSB Military Science

Guide to Army Basics

Medical/Dental information - This will take you to TRICARE Benefit Information so you can learn about eligibility; plans; and medical, dental, vision and prescription coverage.
Pay information - This will take you to Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) website which deals with pay and other financial information.
Legal Services - This will take you to the Judge Advocate General's (JAG) Corps website which can help you with legal issues.
Housing information - This will help you with housing information for when you are in a new duty location.
Savings and Thrift Savings Plans -The TSP is a retirement savings plan for civilians who are employed by the United States Government and members of the uniformed services. This will help you in dealing with saving for retirement.
Army Family Programs - This will take you to many different programs that you can get involved with including the Army Family Action Plan and Army Family Team Building.
National Guard Family Services - This will help you if you or your family member are in the National Gaurd. It includes many different programs that are for the National Gaurd.
Army Reserve Family Services - This will help you if you or your family member are in the Army Reserves. Like the National Gaurd Family Services it includes many programs and information that can help you.
Grocery shopping information - This will take you to information about Commisaries which are basically shopping locations that are specially priced and available only to military families.
Clothing shopping information - This will take you to information about specially priced items that are availble only to military families.

Child and Youth Services - recognizes the challenges of our Soldiers and their Families. By offering quality programs for children and youth, CYS supports the Army Family Covenant by reducing the conflict between mission readiness and parental responsibility.

Getting Involved

Army Volunteer Corps - Throughout history, volunteers have played an integral role in the life of Soldiers and their Families. In the early years of our country volunteers mended uniforms, cared for the sick and wounded, and comforted Families of fallen Soldiers. Today our volunteers are found throughout the military community. Soldiers, civilians, retirees, spouses and youth are providing service in schools, in hospitals, on sports fields, and in many other organizations and offices. Through their dedicated service, volunteers transform military installations into communities. How can you join the Army’s great volunteer corps and begin impacting your community?
Army Family Action Plan (AFAP) - The Army Family Action Plan provides a way for Soldiers and Family members to let Army leadership know what works, what doesn't - and what they think will fix it.
Army Family Team Building (AFTB) - AFTB is a volunteer-led organization with a central tenet: provide training and knowledge to spouses and family members to support the total Army effort. Strong families are the pillar of support behind strong Soldiers. It is AFTB's mission to educate and train all of the Army in knowledge, skills, and behaviors designed to prepare our Army families to move successfully into the future.

Home and Family Life - Home and family life is an important part of life and the Army places a high priority on helping to achieve a balanced home and family life. Keeping families strong and supportive is essential to a healthy, strong and successful Army.

Exceptional Family Member Program - The Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) is a mandatory enrollment program that works with other military and civilian agencies to provide comprehensive and coordinated community support, housing, and educational, medical, and personnel services to families with special needs.
Family Advocacy - Family Advocacy is dedicated to spousal and child abuse prevention, education, prompt reporting, investigation, intervention and treatment. We provide a variety of services to soldiers and families to enhance their relationship skills and improve their quality of life.

Making a Move - This will help you and your family in moving to and from a duty location.

Relocation Readiness - Preparing to relocated? In the middle of moving? Getting settled in a new location? This site contains useful information to help answer the many questions you may have about relocating to make your transition as smooth as possible.

Lifelong Learning - Everyone should continue their personal growth through continuing education.

Online Training Management System - This takes you to the e - Learning Center where you can view course progress and launch training courses.
MWR Academy - U.S. Army Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) administers a varied program of recreational, social, and community support activities on U.S. Army installations worldwide. Our programs provide military personnel (active-duty, reserve, and retired), Department of the Army (DA) civilians, and their families with sports and physical fitness activities, child development and youth programs, and a variety of food and beverage services. Our mission is to provide quality support and recreational services that contribute to the retention and readiness, and mental, physical, and emotional well-being of our soldiers.
Internet Skills Training - This offers help in learning how to use the Internet.

Managing Deployments - Deployment is never easy and it often takes a toll on both the Soldier and the family. There are many resources and tools available to make it easier. We have provided up-to-date articles and tools available for you to get in touch with other family members going through the same challenges.

Family Readiness Group - The Family Readiness Group (FRG) is an officially command-sponsored organization of family members, volunteers, and Soldiers belonging to a unit, that together provide an avenue of mutual support and assistance, and a network of communications among the family members, the chain of command, and community resources. FRGs help create a climate of mutual support within the unit and community. Basic FRG goals include supporting the military mission through provision of support, outreach, and information to family members. FRGs play an integral part in the Family and Soldier Readiness System (FSRS).
Operation READY - Operation READY is a training and information resource which was developed after the Persian Gulf War from lessons learned in deployment. It includes many different videos on how to prepare, go through with and return from deployment.
Visit Army Virtual FRG - ArmyFRG is your direct connection to Command information for your unit. Register today for your unit's Virtual FRG site and get connected to all of the pertinent information and resources you need to stay informed and connected.

Money Matters - The Army is here to help provide you with information on matters dealing with money. From financial calculators to tax preparation, these tools can help you on your way to financial success.

Retirement Services Office - Army Retirement Services, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff, G-1, Headquarters, Department of the Army (HQDA), provides information on benefits and entitlements to active duty Soldiers and Families preparing for retirement and to Retired Soldiers and Families through Army installation Retirement Services Officers (RSO).
Financial Readiness Training - This e - learning course will help you prepare financially.
Financial Planning for Retirement - This e - learning course will help you prepare for retirement.

Virtual Soldier and Family Assistance Center - SFAC services will be tailored and responsive to the needs of the WT and their Families. Most services will be present in the SFAC location in order to maximize the convenience to the WTs and their Families. Other services requiring less than a full-time presence will be brought forward to the SFAC at designated times. Still other services will be provided through priority off-site appointments coordinated by the SFAC staff. SFAC sites will provide a warm, relaxed environment where Soldiers and their Families can gather to foster physical, spiritual and mental healing.

Work and Careers - Need help in writing a resume, interviewing for a job, networking, negotiating a salary? Are you wondering how to market your skills and abilities? Explore this section to learn job search techniques, resume writing tips and more.

Employment Readiness - The Army knows that employment is one of the most significant issues for military families. The goal of ACS Employment Readiness is to assist families with the challenges associated with the job search - particularly as they are impacted by our mobile lifestyle.

Family News - This link takes you to the Family News letter.

Senior Spouse Bi-Weekly Update - The Commander, Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation Command is committed to "keeping the channels of communication open" with families and community leaders. The Senior Spouse Bi-weekly update provides highlights of initiatives and ongoing activities within MWR and Family Programs. These bi-weekly updates can be very beneficial to better equip our senior spouses in advisory and mentoring positions throughout the Army.

Conference Center - The conference center for MyArmyLifetoo.

Surveys - Different surveys to take.