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Military & Family Readiness
from Relocation Guide
s part of MWR, Military & Family Readiness/ Military and Family Readiness (MFR) equips people with the skills and support they need to face the challenges of military life (today as well as tomorrow). Their motto is “Selfhelp, Service, and Stability” and this defines the activities and services offered by MFR. All active-duty, U.S. Army Reservists and National Guard Service members on active duty exceeding 30 days, DA civilians, retirees and family members are eligible to use these services offered by MFR.
MFR is a worldwide organization composed of hard working and caring individuals. Some of these individuals are civilian personnel who direct MFR activities, while others are volunteers who support staff and assist with various community service projects. When you join the Military and Family Readiness Volunteer family, you become a valuable asset to soldiers, their families and the agency staff.
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The volunteer program provides an opportunity for you to gain experience in a professional atmosphere. We will assist you in finding a volunteer position that allows you to use your specific talents and interests.
Army Emergency Relief
2414 Stanley Road, Bldg 131 (210) 221-1612 Hours of Operation Monday-Friday: 730 a.m.- 12 p.m. 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. After duty hours contact the American Red Cross at (210) 224-5151
Army Emergency Relief is the Army’s own emergency financial assistance organization and is dedicated to “Helping the Army Take Care of Its Own.”
Armed Forces Action Plan
3060 Stanley Road, Bldg 2797 (210) 221-2336/2705 Hours of Operation Monday-Friday: 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
The Armed Forces Action Plan (AFAP) is a program designed to ensure that the wellbeing of soldiers and families in the Army keep pace with the changing times. AFAP gathers input from the people of the Army and Army leadership. AFAP is a way for Soldiers and families to say what is working and what is not, as well as to provide possible solutions for areas of concern.
Armed Forces Team Building
3060 Stanley Road, Bldg 2797 Phone: (210) 221-2336/2705 Hours of Operation Monday-Friday: 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
The Armed Forces Team Building (AFTB) program at Fort Sam Houston is fortunate to have an active volunteer staff of 12 master trainers and 11 instructors. Fort Sam is the home of the Army Medic, the Army Medical Department (AMEDDC&S) Center and School, San Antonio Military Medical Center (SAMMC), and the Fifth U.S. Army Headquarters. With a large number of medical soldiers and their families and an everrotating number of soldier students and their families, the AFTB program runs a little differently than at other installations.
AFTB encourages new spouses, family members, soldiers and DA civilians to find out about Army life. Family member classes are offered in levels I, II, and III on a quarterly basis. These classes are open to soldiers (active and reserve), civilian employees and their family members.
Army Volunteer Corps
3060 Stanley Road, Bldg 2797 Phone: (210) 221-0918/2705 Military and Family Readiness is the home to the Army Volunteer Corps, which is the center of volunteer recruitment, referral, recognition and advocacy efforts for Fort Sam. Volunteers are needed in a wide variety of positions throughout the installation. Through volunteer service, individuals can learn or enhance skills, get to know the community and meet new people, build their resumes, and more. Volunteers are asked to register through the Volunteer Management Information System, or VMIS, which can be accessed through ARMY OneSource. By doing this, volunteers can record and track their hours, which are then verified by their volunteer supervisor. This is a great tool for tracking your volunteerism. You can use the information on resumes, in job interviews, and as a part of nomination packages for volunteer awards.
Financial Readiness
3060 Stanley Road, Bldg 2797 Phone: (210) 221-2380/2705 Hours of Operation Monday-Friday: 7:15 a.m.-4:15 p.m.
Consumer Affairs and Financial Assistance (CAFA) offers basic education on financial matters. Individual financial counseling is also available by appointment. Courses include: checkbook management, credit management, debt reduction, investment thrift savings plans, and the introduction to personal financial management (mandatory for soldiers new to the Army).]
Employment Readiness
33060 Stanley Road, Bldg 2797 Phone: (210) 221-2705 Hours of Operation Monday-Friday: 7:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Closed 1st & 3rd Thursday from 1:00-4:30 p.m. The Employment Readiness Program helps patrons improve essential skills needed to secure employment in a competitive job market. Services include job counseling, local employer information, job bank, resume writing assistance, education information, Military Spouse Preference, and so much more!
Classes are offered in-person and online covering Your Pathways To Employment, Interviewing Skills, Resume Writing – general and federal formats – and LinkedIn 101. To ensure each client’s needs are continuously met the Employment Readiness Program is available for one-on-one appointments to assist in creating cover letters, updating resumes to fit job announcements, certification/re-licensure planning, and the translation of skills to meet your employment goals.
Exceptional Family Member Program
3060 Stanley Road, Bldg 2797 Phone: (210) 221-2705 Hours of Operation Monday-Friday: 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Enrollment in the Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) is mandatory for active-duty personnel who have family members with exceptional medical, psychological, developmental, or educational needs. The aim of the program is to assist in assigning active duty members to an area where their exceptional family member’s special needs can be addressed. The Installation Exceptional Family Member Program offers: community resource information, assistance with Exception to Policy for priority housing, assists families with enrollment into EFMP, client advocacy, early intervention referrals, relocation assistance, service coordination for Individualized Education Plans, respite care services, health education workshops, child activities and a community special needs resource team.
Family Life Program
3060 Stanley Road, Bldg 2797 Phone: (210) 221-0349/ 2705 Hours of Operation Monday-Friday: 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
The Family Life Program (FLP) offers a variety of services to assist service members and families in their knowledge, skills, and abilities to anticipate and meet the challenges throughout the various stages of the family life cycle. Supporting the Readiness mission of JBSA, the FLP also assists in many ways to provide extra support during separations. Today’s military family (which includes active duty military members, Guard, Reserve, DoD civilians, retirees, and family members of active duty) are supported by a team of professionals working together to support the mission of all the United States Military Services. Family life resilience and self-enhancement skills are addressed through this education based program. Emphasis is placed on providing the skills and knowledge you need to help cope with challenges and make sound life choices.
Mobilization & Deployment
3060 Stanley Road, Bldg 2797 Phone: (210) 221-2705 (Army, Air Force) Hours of Operation Monday-Friday: 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Deployment is never easy and it often takes a toll on both the Soldier and the family. The Mobilization & Deployment Program and stability and support operations provide support services during disaster events and all phases of deployment to eligible family members at, or as near to, their hometown or home installation as possible. The Family and Soldier Readiness System addresses the state of preparedness of the Army Family through proactive
education and support programs that promote resiliency and enhance wellbeing. The MFR Mobilization & Deployment Program ensures that all Soldiers and Civilians returning from deployment or redeploying from other operations are provided support in personal reconstruction, family reunion, and personal readiness.
Soldier and Family Readiness is inextricably linked to Mission Readiness. Because of the high value the Army places on both military and personal readiness, programs like Operation READY (Resources for Educating About Deployment and You) have been initiated. The Fort Sam Houston Mobilization and Deployment Office maintains a library of Operation READY materials, as well as offering workshops and briefings on all of the Operation READY training modules. All Operation READY materials can be found in the Mobilizations and Deployment Office in the Military Family Readiness Center or can be viewed or downloaded from the ARMY MFR website www.fortsammwr.com.operations provide support services during disaster events and all phases of deployment to eligible family members at, or as near to, their hometown or home installation as possible. The Family and Soldier Readiness System addresses the state of preparedness of the Army Family through proactive education and support programs that promote resiliency and enhance wellbeing. The MFR Mobilization & Deployment Program ensures that all Soldiers and Civilians returning from deployment or redeploying from other operations are provided support in personal reconstruction, family reunion, and personal readiness.
Soldier and Family Readiness is inextricably linked to Mission Readiness. Because of the high value the Army places on both military and personal readiness, programs like Operation READY (Resources for Educating About Deployment and You) have been initiated. The Fort Sam Houston Mobilization and Deployment Office maintains a library of Operation READY materials, as well as offering workshops and briefings on all of the Operation READY training modules. All Operation READY materials can be found in the Mobilizations and Deployment Office in the Military Family Readiness Center or can be viewed or downloaded from the ARMY MFR website www.fortsammwr.com. 3060 Stanley Road, Bldg 2797 Phone: (210) 221-9698
The Relocation Readiness Program is a congressionally mandated program designed to eliminate or diminish the personal and family stress that military families experience with a permanent change of station by providing assistance, counseling, education and training throughout all phases of the relocation process. This program is the first point of contact for relocation information and assistance. You can get up-to-date information about your new base and community before you move. Learn how to prepare for your move and get help in planning your moving cost, check out the job market and learn new skills to reduce the stress of moving. The following programs and events can be found through the Relocation Assistance Program:
Spouse Information Fair
This program helps integrate Military Spouses quickly and efficiently into the community. The Fair provides information and face to face contact giving the spouse an opportunity to ask questions with a real person concerning the services that are offered here on Fort Sam Houston. The Spouse Information Fair takes place on the second Thursday of each month 9:00 AM until 12:00PM. Children are allowed and the layout is stroller friendly.
San Antonio Field Office of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service
Got questions about immigration? Need assistance with the forms? We can help! We are offering a monthly orientation to assist Soldiers and Family members. An Immigration and Naturalization Service representative will answer question about Immigration and Citizenship.
Plan My Move
This is an automated system that provides Soldiers and Family members with extensive updated information about Army, Air Force, Marine, and Navy installations worldwide prior to departure. The information consists of housing, child care, medical facilities, etc. and can be found online at www.militaryhomefront. dod.mil. Instructions: Go to “Troops & Families” then go to “moving” and click on “Installation Overview.” Once you select the installation, click on “Print Booklet.” If you are unable to print, the office can either print the information for you or download the information to a CD.
Newcomers’ Briefing
This program is designed to integrate new service members into the community. It provides information about vital services that are offered here on Joint Base San Antonio Fort Sam Houston. The Newcomers Briefing takes place at 8:00 AM at Building 2797 Stanley Road. It is mandatory for all new arrivals to Fort Sam Houston. The Army and Navy personnel will take place on the first Friday of each month and the Army and Air Force will attend on the third Friday of each Month.
Trails and Tales of Fort Sam Houston Tour
You’ll experience ghost haunts to high tech centers as we drive by and visit historic post sites. For DoD card holders only. For additional information, call (210) 221-2418.
Lending Closet
Hours: 8 a.m.-3 p.m.
The Closet provides temporary loans of household items to incoming and departing Permanent party personnel (first priority), Students (second priority) and TDY, Retirees and Civilians (third priority) assigned to the area. List of items: High Chairs, Cribs, Strollers, Pots and Pan, Dishes, Silverware, Coffeepots, Baking Dishes, Iron, Ironing Boards, Toaster, Futon, Vacuum Cleaner, Table and Chairs. There is a 30-day time limit on borrowed items.
Sponsorship Training
Sponsorship Training is conducted quarterly for designated sponsors at Army Community Service or at the unit upon request. The sponsor receives a guide with step-by-step instructions on how to assist their assigned service member and family.
Overseas Orientations
Overseas orientations are offered monthly and targeted according to destination such as Korea, Germany, Japan, Hawaii, Italy and Belgium. Topics include entitlements, reimbursements, household goods shipments, recognizing and dealing with the emotional stress of relocation, Command
and Non-command Sponsored tours, Employment, and Education. If you want to learn the culture, language and special concerns of the area.
Warrior & Family Support Center (WFSC)
3628 Rawley E. Chamber Rd. Fort Sam Houston, TX 78234 Phone: (210) 916-8219
The Warrior & Family Support Center (WFSC) offers a comfortable environment for injured soldiers and their families to relax and socialize during the soldier’s medical rehabilitation. As the Global War on Terrorism (GWOT) continues, injured Soldiers, Marines, Sailors, and Airmen are transported to major medical facilities located on military installations.
BAMC physicians recognize the need for family members to be directly involved in the rehabilitation of their service members. A vital part of a patient’s recovery is to have a familiar environment where they can feel comfortable.
The facility itself includes a central reception area, computer and meeting area with internet access, and a recreation/entertainment area. The WFSC also serves as a resource center for information and referral services.
NON-MWR Community Services
Health Care - Beneficiary Counseling Assistance Coordinators Health Benefits/Tricare
3851 Roger Brooke Drive Fort Sam Houston, TX 78234 Phone: (210) 916-1876
San Antonio Military Medical Center
Building 3600 Fort Sam Houston, TX 78234 Phone: (210) 916-4141
Dental Clinics - Budget Dental Clinic
2981 Garden Avenue, Building 1268 Fort Sam Houston, TX 78234 Phone: (210) 808-3735
Rhodes Dental Clinic
1967 Stanley Road, Building 2375 Fort Sam Houston, TX 78234 Phone: (210) 295-4095
Veterinary Treatment Facility (VTF)
The Fort Sam Houston Veterinary Treatment Facility (VTF) is located in Building 2635 on Harney Road behind the Harlequin Dinner Theater. They are open for over the counter sales and appointment scheduling from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Friday. The clinic is closed on or about the last working day of every month for inventory. Sick calls and vaccination services are conducted by appointment and available Monday through Friday.
Vaccinations and routine preventive medicine procedures are performed on healthy pets by veterinary technicians. If your pet needs to be seen for something other than routine vaccinations or procedures, please make sure your appointment is with a veterinarian rather than a technician.
