> AFAP . 650 Monroe Ave . 878-3119
What is AFAP?
The AFAP (Army Family Action Plan) is a grassroots level process that identifies issues of concern for the GLOBAL Army. The AFAP is a program that gives everyone in the Army the opportunity to influence his/her own quality of life and standard of living.
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 a local level, resulting in ongoing community improvements.
Some issues are applicable beyond the local level. These are sent up to mid-level AFAP conferences and to Army Family Programs headquarters, 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.
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 semi-annual basis.
The General Officer Steering Committee (GOSC) reviews the progress of AFAP issues on a semi-annual basis. The AFAP GOSC is the final deciding authority on the status of all issues (determining if an issue is resolved, unattainable, or needs to remain active until the issue's stated objectives have been met).
How is AFAP Accomplished?
Fort Eustis hosts an AFAP conference annually that brings together representatives of the TOTAL ARMY. These representatives, serving as conference delegates, evaluate issues that affect our quality of life at Fort Eustis and throughout the Army.
What qualifies as an AFAP issue?
Issues that affect everyone at Fort Eustis or the Global Army are good AFAP issues. The focus should be on improving facilities, changing policy or regulation, and just making things work better for everyone. Issues may be on pay and allowance, readiness, retention and training, single Soldier issues, PCS moves, medical, dental, schools, childcare, AAFES, MWR activities, and volunteers.
What is not an AFAP issue?
Issues should focus on improving the quality of life for everyone, not just one person's "Pet Rock". If you are having problems with a facility or particular organization, then please report to the commander or manager of that facility. You may also go online, http://ICE.DISA.mil to make a customer comment about any military installation and their services.
Is my issue an AFAP issue?
Check your issue against the AFAP Issue Checklist. Does your issue:
- Relate to a well-being concern within the Department of Defense (DoD), the Department of Army (DA), or Fort Eustis?
- Present a realistic solution or a creative alternative?
- Have broad impact?
- Appear attainable after considering current political and resource environments?
- Within the purview of Fort Eustis, Department of Army, or Department of Defense to influence?
Are there other ways for me to give feedback about programs and services?
Yes! There are two ways through which you can provide input about services on Fort Eustis: ICE and AFAP
1. Interactive Customer Evaluation (ICE): ICE is a web-based system that enables you to easily submit online comment cards to a participating program/service manager from any computer located anywhere in the world. You can submit the card anonymously, but if you want the service provider to respond to your comment(s), you need to provide information necessary for them to contact you either by email or phone. Because your comments are sent directly to the service provider, you can obtain a response within three business days. To use the ICE system to submit an issue, please relocate to the Fort Eustis ICE page, under Other Service > ICE.
2. AFAP: Through AFAP, you have the opportunity to improve life throughout the Army, as well as your standard of living on Fort Eustis. If you have an idea or suggestion about Army-wide or Fort Eustis community life, services, or programs that could be improved, please complete an AFAP issue sheet and submit it to the Soldier and Family Readiness buidling or you can sumbit your issue online, located under Soldier and Family > Army Family Action Plan > Submit an AFAP Issue.
How do I know which way is best for my particular issue?
ICE will give you a faster answer to concerns and give program managers a chance to work on problems. If you have used the ICE system and/or you feel that your issue meets the criteria listed above, then AFAP is where you need to be.
What are some examples of AFAP issues?
In the history of AFAP, 98 changes have been made into legislation, 141 policies or regulations have been revised, and 162 programs and services have been improved at the Department of Army level.
- TRICARE for Life
- Military Savings Plan
- 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
- Chiropractic Care for active duty
- DOD Reserve Component family member ID card
- A vehicle can be stored at government expense when a Soldier is reassigned to an area where shipment isn't authorized
- Living Expense was authorized for first-term enlisted personnel and is being pursued for first-term officers
- Family Readiness Groups (FRG) were institutionalized
- Programs like Army Family Team Building (AFTB) and Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers (BOSS)
- Dislocation Allowance (DLA) for first PCS (All)
- Informational and interactive Web sites have been established to address retirement information and planning, employment opportunities and application, and enlisted soldier assignments
Visit the DA AFAP website for more information on AFAP issues: www.militaryonesource.com
Three ways to be a part of the AFAP process at Fort Eustis
1. Be a delegate. As a delegate you not only represent your community, you represent the Army. Delegates are placed into work groups to discuss issues that are submitted to the conference. You prioritize the top three issues and then with the help of your facilitation team write the issue so that it can be presented to the Army leadership here at Fort Eustis at the report-out the last day of the conference. To become a delegate download the DELEGATE REGISTRATION FORM and submit it to Soldier and Family Readiness (ACS) at 650 Monroe Ave or register online, located under Soldier and Family > Army Family Action Plan > Delegate Registration Form.
2. Submit issues. We realize not everyone can't be a delegate because of prior commitments, so the next best thing is to submit your issues. One persons issue CAN make a difference. Tell AFAP what your concerns are and what you think should be done to address those concerns. To submit an issue download the AFAP ISSUES SUBMISSION SHEET and submit it to Soldier and Family Readiness (ACS) Building 650 Monroe Ave or submit online, located under Soldier and Family > Army Family Action Plan > Submit an AFAP Issue.
3. Volunteer to work the conference. The AFAP Conference is run by volunteers who care about the community and want to make life better not only here at Fort Eustis, but across the Army. All resume enhancing training is provided. To become a volunteer download the VOLUNTEER REGISTRATION FORM and submit it to Soldier and Family Readiness (ACS) at 650 Monroe Ave or register online, located under Soldier and Family > Army Family Action Plan > FRTI Registration Form.
STAY IN THE KNOW:
Army Family Action Plan (AFAP) General Officer Steering Committee (GOSC)Meeting Summary:
General Peter W. Chiarelli, Vice Chief of Staff, Army (VCSA) chaired the 4 August 2011 AFAP GOSC meeting which reviewed 35 AFAP issues. The GOSC closed 5 issues as completed, 8 as unattainable and retained 22 as
active issues. Attendees at the meeting included senior officials from the Department of Defense (DoD), Department of the Army (DA), Army Staff, Commands, General Officer Senior Commander Course, military
support organizations, and local senior spouse.
THE NEXT AFAP CONFERENCE WILL BE HELD IN JANUARY. DATES COMING SOON.
