Army Reserve launches new Web site

By Margaret McKenzie
Army News Service

ALEXANDRIA, Va. (Army News Service, July 26, 2005) - The Army Reserve launched a new Web site recently to connect deployed Soldiers with their loved ones and deliver family support services.

The Army Reserve Family Programs portal at www.arfp.org is accessible from any computer with internet access. The site is linked by drop-down menus at www.MyArmyLifeToo.com, an official Web site for family members.

“The combined information and links are the most comprehensive resources ever assembled by the Army for families,” said Vicki Brown, Army Family Enrichment Division Family Programs chief at Army Community and Family Support Center in Alexandria, Va.

The Web site introduces Soldiers, families, friends, employers, and volunteers who support the Army Reserve to news about military life. Related links provide information about Army Reserve Family Programs, MilitaryOneSource, myPay, TRICARE, Army Knowledge Online, Army Family Team Building programs and other resources.

“There are several services available to Army Reserve family members when loved ones are deployed,” Brown said. “Getting accurate information is important to families and helps Soldiers concentrate on the mission.”

“Soldiers and their families have many questions when faced with deployment,” said C.R. Lee Ratliff, Army Reserve Family Programs Office director. “Families continue to have questions and needs after a Soldier is deployed.”

According to Ratliff, empowering families to access information and services through easy to use Web sites is an important element that allows Soldiers to focus on their mission.

Brown said the Army Reserve recognizes that families, friends and employers are a critical component of Soldier readiness.

“Using this portal to provide answers to questions, to connect to Soldiers and families and to ease some of the burdens of deployment and separations has become a key element in the Army’s strategy for improving troop readiness and retention,” she said.

“In today’s environment of multiple Web sites and information overload, we want families to know they can always trust those sites to keep them connected and informed,” Brown added.

The Web site, MyArmyLifeToo.com became accessible in February, and provides a single source of accurate, up-to-date articles and information on a variety of family related topics.

“My Army Life Too was designed to meet the needs of family members, particularly those new to the services, and links all family program services in [Army Community Services], the Army National Guard and Army Reserve Family Programs.” The site also houses the ACS monthly listserv for commanders, senior spouses and Family Readiness Group leaders as well as the CFSC commander’s bi-weekly senior spouse update. In addition, family members can receive free training in family member readiness, Brown said. Additional classes scheduled online through the e-learning center include volunteer management, financial readiness, Family Readiness Group Leader certification mentoring and more.

“We are always interested in feedback from our users,” Brown said. “Log on to both of the Web sites and let us know how we can continue to improve them and make them better.”