Family readiness is a combat multiplier, equally as important as individual equipment and combat readiness.  It is the responsibility of the individual Marine and their family to successfully balance life, career and mission events, through active and reserve service, and is supported by the enduring partnership between the unit's Family Readiness Command Team and Marine Corps Community Services (MCCS).

The goal of personal and family readiness programs is to provide resource information and training in addition to support services to enhance a Commander’s Family Readiness Command Teams, Service Members, and their families.  A Marine must ensure their personal and family affairs are in order so that they will remain fully focused on the mission, whether in garrison or in combat. 

A ready and resilient Marine and family:      

1. Are prepared for family separations and life events.

2. Understand the additional responsibilities that will fall on the family when the Marine departs.

3. Is knowledgeable of and able to utilize information about benefits, entitlements, programs and services provided through the Department of Defense, Marine Corps and the community.

4. Is knowledgeable of command structure and resources available to assist and contribute to the personal and family readiness goals.

OPSEC for Volunteers 

Operational Security (OPSEC) is a required annual training for all appointed volunteers – Command Team Advisors and Family Readiness Assistants. During this training, volunteers will learn about the latest OPSEC issues, including a special focus on social media.

Please contact your unit Readiness Coordinator (RC) to register for all Family Readiness Program training.

L.I.N.K.S. is a mentoring program for Marine family members taught by Marine spouses. The classes provide insight into the military lifestyle, giving family members a place to network with other military families, learn about the resources available to them and tangible ways to thrive in the military community. There are also L.I.N.K.S. sessions for kids, teens, spouses, Marines and Japanese spouses. Sessions are offered on all three housing camps (Camp Foster, Courtney and Kinser).

Meaning of L.I.N.K.S.

Let's look at what the name L.I.N.K.S. means:

Session topics: 

- The Corps: Introduction to the Marine Corps organization, mission, culture, history, and traditions.

- The Maze: Information regarding the many services and resources available to Marines and their families.

- Pay Day: A basic education of Marine Corps pay and allowances. L.I.N.K.S. also provides tips on effective money management and the financial services on base that can assist our families with debt repair, savings plans, and investing.

- Crossroads: Strategies, tips, and services to help for successful moves to new Marine Corps duty stations.

- Separation and Deployment: Education on how to cope with deployments and other types of military separations.

- Investing in Your Community: Volunteer opportunities and the benefits of becoming involved in each new community.

- Getting Along (presented by the Chaplain): How to maintain positive relationships with your family and your community.

- Staying Marine (presented by the Career Planner): Marine Corps career paths- the benefits, options, and incentives for staying in the Corps. We also educate military spouses on how to create and/or maintain a portable career while married to his or her service member.

L.I.N.K.S. for kids offers the following topics: 

The Corps
Are You Plugged In?
My Hero is Away
Smooth Moves
Friends Rule
Community Connection

L.I.N.K.S. for teens offers the following topics:      

The Corps
Map It Out
Show Me the Money
The Real Deal
MYOM (Marine Youth on the Move)
Getting Along
Community Connection

*Each workshop will be tailored and applicable to the audience. The sessions are hands-on and interactive, with a mixture of videos, group discussion, games and more.

Volunteer Opportunities

L.I.N.K.S. is supported by a group of wonderful and positive of volunteers to include Marines, spouses, and teens. Work on and develop skill sets for future employment. Meet new people and build relationships. Share experiences and encourage others. If you are interested, please contact the L.I.N.K.S. Trainer.

L.I.N.KS. Positions include:

• Mentor
• Food Angel
• Hospitality/Greeter
• Workshop Assistance
• Historian
• Photographer
• and much more!!!

Why should you attend a L.I.N.K.S. workshop?

• To understand the Marine Corps mission and how it affects Marines and family they were born into, sworn into, and/or married into.
• To acquire the knowledge and develop the skills to successfully meet the challenges of the Marine Corps lifestyle.
• To make new friends and thrive as an empowered member of the Marine Corps family.

LifeSkills Training and Education offers various workshops in such areas as conflict management, 4 Lenses temperament discovery, and many other workshops.  In addition to these workshops, the following series of training are also offered as opportunities for personal growth and education. 

COMMUNICATION SERIES

Interpersonal Communication

This workshop is preventive in nature, to increase competence in using more effective communication skills, and to promote healthy relationships through communication. It helps Marines and families learn how to communicate with one another in an effective manner.

Conflict Management

This workshop addresses interpersonal conflict and is designed to help Marines and their families become more aware of conflict; empowering them to make healthy choices by managing their responses to conflict, both at home and in the work place.

Social Networking Safety

This workshop addresses the dangers and risks, as well as positive outcomes, associated with social networking. It provides Marines and their families with information on how to protect themselves and family members, and ways to stay safe while on the internet, and on social networking sites.

IMPACT SERIES 

Safe & Sound at Home

This workshop provides important safety precautions for Marine Corps families, and instills spouse/family members with the ability and confidence to be responsible for their personal safety and the safety of their families while their Marines are deployed.

Casualty Notification Process

Scared of "The Call"? The Casualty Process De-Mystified - This workshop will help minimize stress and confusion by providing a brief overview on the casualty process, the role of the Casualty Assistance Calls Officer (CACO), and information on benefits, support services and organizations. It will help you understand the definition of a "casualty" as it relates to the Marine Corps, and discusses the casualty notification process for all casualties. 

RELATIONSHIP SERIES 

Developing Healthy Blended Families

This workshop is designed to help Marines and family members gain a better understanding of the common and practical issues facing blended families. Topics discussed include stages of blended family development, and tips for nurturing and enriching the family relationship.

Building Lasting Relationships

The challenges of a military lifestyle can place many demands on Marines and their families. This workshop provides practical information and tools to enhance healthy relationships. 

WELLNESS SERIES

Basic Stress Management

This workshop is designed to help Marines and their families minimize stress by providing them with basic education on the concepts and management skills needed to successfully navigate both the everyday stress and extraordinary stress of a Marine Corps lifestyle.

Basic Anger Management

This workshop is a basic overview of anger management. It provides education on the dynamics of anger and offers a variety of acceptable coping strategies to handle angry feelings and behaviors.

Family Care Plan

This workshop will educate Marines and their families on the basics of a Family Care Plan. It will outline the significance of a Family Care Plan, and the importance of always having it updated.

Aging Parents & Elder Care

This workshop will help Marines and their families in dealing with the complexities of assisting elderly adults. It helps Marines and their families make informed decisions concerning elder care, as well as strategies for coping with day-to-day challenges involved with caring for your elderly loved one.

Emergency Preparedness

This workshop contains information regarding actions that Marines and families should take to be informed and prepared in the event of natural and manmade hazards. This workshop outlines the importance of our Marines and families to always be prepared for all types of emergencies!

LINKS TO PREMARITAL INFORMATION SEMINAR INFORMATION

Premarital Seminar

Procedural Guide for Marriage, Benefits and Entitlements

Local City Office Location

Local Translation Office  

Procedure for Marrying Foreign Nationals  in Okinawa

Procedure for Marines and Sailors Marrying in Okinawa

Procedure for Marrying Japanese in Okinawa

Procedure for Marrying US Citizens in Okinawa

How to fill out Kon In Todoke

Premarital Workshop Schedule

1700.1 Inst Marriage of Active Duty Personnel to Foreign Nationals

1700-1 Affidavid of Support

1700-2 Application to Marry-Validation of Marriage

COMNAVFORJAPANINSTR 1752.1T - Marriages within U.S. Naval Forces Japan Area of Responsibility

PREVENTION AND RELATIONSHIP ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM (PREP)  

PREP is a relationship enhancement program that teaches couples how to effectively communicate, work together as a team to solve problems, manage conflict without damaging closeness, and preserve and enhance commitment and friendship.  It is designed for premarital and married couples, whether distressed or not.  PREP is not therapy; it is an educational and practical application opportunity to learn what works in a relationship.

- Teaches effectively communicate between couples
- Work as a team to solve problems
- Manage conflict
- Preserve & Enhance Commitment and Friendship

These one day workshops use the PREP curriculum in conjunction with other evidence based resources to open doors of communication between partners, enhancing relationship quality in a contained environment. This ensures each partner experiences the 3 PREP keys to success: safety for connection, doing one's own part, and making decisions in the relationship instead of going with the flow. 

Additional Information for PREP Registration: 

- Attending couples do not need to be married and only one party needs SOFA status.

- In general, couples who submit a fully-completed form will be selected to attend based on the order their registration is received. All other couples will be added to the waiting list chronologically. If you are put on the waiting list, we will notify you ASAP if your spot opens up, so that you can plan accordingly or sign up for the next available month.

- Army, Air Force personnel & civilian DoD/DoDDS employees & family members are eligible to attend our workshops on a space-available basis.

- This workshop is free.  However, we cannot provide childcare, so please ensure that all necessary childcare arrangements are made prior to the workshop date.

- Please contact MCFTB to register.

The goal of Readiness & Deployment Support is to prepare families for the unique challenges of deployment, in addition to maintaining a constant state of readiness independent of deployment. Each Marine Corps installation and Marine Forces Reserve are staffed with Readiness and Deployment Support Trainers, who coordinate and deliver pre, mid, and post-deployment briefs and support at the unit level for Marines, children, and extended family members.

READINESS & DEPLOYMENT SUPPORT

The goal of Readiness & Deployment Support is to prepare families for the unique challenges of deployment, in addition to maintaining a constant state of readiness independent of deployment.

Each Marine Corps installation and Marine Forces Reserve are staffed with Readiness and Deployment Support Trainers, who coordinate and deliver pre, mid, and post-deployment briefs and support at the unit level for Marines, children, and extended family members.

Pre-Deployment

Topics discussed in the Pre-Deployments trainings include resources available to Marines and families, legal planning, single parents, Combat Operational Stress Continuum, personal preparation and preparing loved ones.

Pre-Deployment for Marines & Families

This training highlights key areas of personal and family preparation of single Marines, married Marines, and their respective families; either activity duty or reservists in preparation for deployment.  Suggestions for preparation of important documents, emergency communication, and sources of assistance are also provided.

Pre-Deployment for Parents & Kids

This training uses an optional guest speaker, puppet show, and activities for children age 5 and older to prepare for the upcoming deployment.  The adult component highlights ways that parents can support their children during a deployment and to recognize common reactions children may exhibit due to deployment.

Mid-Deployment

Topics discussed in the Mid-Deployment workshops provide information on how to thrive during a deployment, promoting self care, and helping children cope with deployments.

Mid-Deployment – Deployment Success

This workshop is designed to promote deployment success for the spouse or significant other at home during a deployment.  It includes suggestions for fun things to do, goal setting and resources.  This is a great opportunity to assess your deployment success thus far!

Mid-Deployment- Kids & Deployment

This workshop is designed to promote deployment success for kids, including reactions to deployment, ways parents can help, and resources available.

Mid-Deployment – Self Care

This workshop is designed to promote deployment self-care for the spouse or significant other at home during deployment.  It includes information about stress management, staying connected with your Marine, dealing with emotional ups and downs, and resources available.

Return and Reunion

Topics discussed in the Return and Reunion workshops provide information on what to expect on the “Big Day”, helping you deal with changes that may have occurred while your Marine was deployed, and ideas on how parents can best support their children during the reintegration process.

Return and Reunion - Spouses and Significant Others

This workshop provides ideas on how to reintegrate with your Marine, what to expect on the “Big Day” when he/she returns, and helping you with changes that may have occurred during the deployment.

Return and Reunion – Parents and Kids

This workshop provides age-appropriate activities for children age 5 and older to prepare for the upcoming return, reunion, and reintegration with their Marine parent.  The adult component combines ways parents can support their child during return, reunion, and reintegration.

Return and Reunion – Parents and Extended Family

This workshop answers questions about what to expect at homecoming, provides suggestions on celebrating homecoming with your Marine, and addressing any concerns you may have regarding your Marine.

Post Deployment

Topics discussed in the Post-Deployment workshop includes ideas on how to renegotiate responsibilities now that your Marine has returned, communication strategies, understanding each other’s need for personal space and time, and resources available to help in the reintegration process.

Reintegration – Strong Marine Couples

This workshop provides a fun forum for couples to assess their recent deployment experience in an effort to further strengthen their relationship. This training addresses the effect of reintegration on a relationship, assessing the level of relationship satisfaction, and provides communication tools and resources for couples to use to strengthen their relationship.

R U Ready?

Checklist

Other Important Considerations

Deployment Spending Plan