Why Family Care Plans are important Published April 25, 2012 By Master Sgt. Stephen Winters 94th Force Support Squadron DOBBINS AIR RESERVE BASE, Ga. -- Probably one of the most challenging aspects of being a Citizen Airman is balancing what has been described as the proverbial "three legged stool". Reservists must work to balance their lives to provide equal attention to family, employer and country. Preserving the viability of the Reserve Triad is one of Air Force Reserve Command's top priorities. Our families are the corner-stone of our existence. Neglect in this area of our lives can cause tremendous problems with everything else we do and knock us off that "stool". One of the most important considerations of family readiness is to ensure that your family is taken care of during times of drills, annual training, mobilization and deployment. Since families come in all configurations and may include spouses, children, parents, grandparents, siblings or significant others, we must provide them with the necessary support to keep all of these relationships happy and healthy. A quality Family Care Plan not only provides for the needs of our family members when forward deployed, but under circumstances when we are "deployed in place" to cover home station missions or national emergencies. A Family Care Plan is very important for all families, and is especially critical for single parents and dual military parents and under circumstances when there may be an adult in the household incapable of self-care. A Family Care Plan should be developed whether you expect to be deployed or not; taking care of these considerations now will help you and your family be prepared for any period of separation.
