I'm new to this site. What do I do?
[7/11/2007]
You will need to register for this site, which involves knowing what command your Soldier belongs to, its permanent location, and the last four of his social security number to be able to apply for access to his command site. You will need to select your Soldiers home station location from the "Find an FRG" map and then follow the prompts.
|
I can't find my unit.
[1/4/2010]
Not all units have created a site on the Army FRG system. If you cannot find your unit, you will want to talk to your FRG Leader to see if they have created a site and if so, what its name is.
|
How can my unit receive a vFRG site?
[1/4/2010]
To apply for a site, all you need to do is go to the Army FRG site and click on the "Request a Site" link. Fill in the form and submit it to start the process.
First, the Commander will need to confirm the site request. The system will send an email request for confirmation to the person listed as the Commander who has 60 days to respond or the request will be canceled due to lack of progress.
After the Commander confirms, the application goes to FMWRC for conformity to policy. Only Battalion level and higher units are guaranteed a site. Companies will need to justify why they need a site separate from their parent unit.
Once FMWRC approves the request, the person listed as the FRG Admin will receive an email invitation to come to the site and begin uploading content. We will need at least two items for each of the five content sections:
Download Center: Forms, newsletters, documents, etc.
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
Links: External websites such as Military OneSource, TRICARE, MyPay, etc.
News: Articles about your unit or events that are happening
Photo Gallery: Pictures
After you have all the content uploaded, you will submit the site for construction. You have 60 days from the date FMWRC approved the site to upload your content and submit it for construction or the request will be canceled due to lack of progress. We will build the site and release it back to you within three business days.
|
How do I change my registration information?
[1/4/2010]
To change your personal information you will need to log into the system. You can access your profile by clicking the "Update Profile" link. If you are at the Army FRG home page, it is at the bottom of the page. If you are at your site's page, it is at the top of the page.
Here, you can change your name, password, email address, phone number, etc.
|
How am I granted access as a system administrator?
[7/27/2006]
When a vFRG site is launched, the commander and/or commander's assigned representative is given system administrator rights. At this point forward, this system administrator can assign all access rights to registered users, including system administrator rights. vFRG Technical Help and vFRG Program Manager do not have the authority to grant administrative rights. It is the responsibility of the unit commander. Your unit will need to be contacted for more information on how to gain administrative access to your site.
|
Can I see another unit's vFRG site?
[7/27/2006]
The only way to view another unit's vFRG site is by requesting a subscription and being approved by their site administrator. For operational security purposes, this can not be avoided.
|
I subscribed a while ago and I still haven't been approved.
[1/4/2010]
Approval of subscriptions to your unit's site are controlled by the FRG Administrators for your site. You will need to contact them for more information.
Click on the Contact Us link and send your feedback to "Your Unit" for more information.
|
As a system administrator, how can I familiarize myself with the vFRG system?
[1/4/2010]
Here are some options to familiarize yourself with the system.
Have you participated in the live training available through the vFRG system? All site administrators are invited to participate in training. The live training (available through the "Calendar" function in the "Resources" tab on the Army FRG homepage) involves sitting at your computer with a trainer who walks you through the system and encourages feedback and questions. This would be a great avenue to ask to see examples of what can be done with the system.
Additionally, the offers automated training. From the Army FRG home page, go into the "Site Tools" tab and click on "Complete the System Administrator Online Training."
Lastly, there are the various administrator guides. From the Army FRG home page, to into the "Resources" tab and then into the "Download Center."
Once your unit site is set-up, you'll be able to utilize all of these opportunities to customize your site to your liking.
|
Why doesn’t this system utilize a ‘.mil’ address?
[8/6/2005]
The ‘.org’ will change to ‘.mil’ after the technical security and interface issues are engineered and accomplished.
|
How secure is the system? Can I be sure the information I add is safe?
[1/4/2010]
The three web systems supporting the U.S. Army Family Morale Welfare and Recreation Command (including the ACS Staff, Army OneSource, and Virtual Family Readiness Group web systems), have been through extensive government mandated security and threat vulnerability implementation and testing to protect the users and information. FMWRC received an Authority to Operate (ATO) for all of these web systems in compliance with the Department of Defense (DoD) Information Assurance Certification and Accreditation Process (DIACAP) in FY09. Periodic vulnerability assessments will be conducted by the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) to ensure protective controls are maintained during the lifecycle of these systems.
|
What are the specific hardware requirements?
[1/4/2010]
The Army FRG system was designed to be run using Internet Explorer 6 or 7 on Microsoft Windows.
While some aspects of the site can be utilized on other browsers or platforms, compatibilty issues can arise if you are using another browser such as Firefox, Netscape, Safari, Chrome, Opera, etc. or if you are on another platform such as the Mac or Linux.
We are working to expand the compatibility of the site to other browsers.
|
Is the vFRG system utilizing the AKO portal?
[12/1/2009]
No, the Army FRG system does not utilize the AKO portal. Authentcation is done during subscription by identifying your Sponsor and comparison of that information to a database maintained by the administrators for your unit's site.
|
Who hosts the server? What are the administrator requirements? Will the server be CONUS or OCONUS based?
[1/4/2010]
The servers are CONUS-based and reside in San Diego, CA at a Verio hosting facility.
The three web systems supporting the U.S. Army Family Morale Welfare and Recreation Command (including the ACS Staff, Army OneSource, and Virtual Family Readiness Group web systems), have been through extensive government mandated security and threat vulnerability implementation and testing to protect the users and information. FMWRC received an Authority to Operate (ATO) for all of these web systems in compliance with the Department of Defense (DoD) Information Assurance Certification and Accreditation Process (DIACAP) in FY09. Periodic vulnerability assessments will be conducted by the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) to ensure protective controls are maintained during the lifecycle of these systems.
DefenseWeb performs all system administration tasks, including systems and network administration, database administration and web site administration.
DefenseWeb delegates aspects of the application (software) administration to the Army.
The vFRG system data and website content will be managed by unit family readiness personnel (i.e. any combination of the unit commander or XO, FRG leader, rear detachment, FRG advisor, family readiness liaison, FRG support assistant, S-1, etc.) as determined by the unit commander.
|
What software platform is being utilized? What code/language is utilized? Is this in compliance with HQDA, NETCOMS's standards?
[1/4/2010]
The vFRG Platinum system is written in C# and is based on the Microsoft .NET platform. The web site is hosted on machines running Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Web Edition. Database functionality is provided by Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Standard Edition SP3a. System, network and application security policies are being designed in accordance with Army regulations, as enforced by the DIACAP SSSA process.
|
How is the site secured to meet DOD, Army, NETCOM, and MACOM public information protection guidance?
[1/4/2010]
System, network and application security policies are being designed in accordance with Army regulations, as enforced by the DIACAP SSSA process.
|
What is the continuity of operations plan?
[8/6/2005]
DefenseWeb has continuity of operations plan for all information systems built and hosted, which includes the following:
DefenseWeb's co-location facility (Verio) provides the following:
· Redundant uninterruptible power supplies
· Multiple redundant back-up generators
· Raised floors
· HVAC with separate cooling zones
· Humidity control
· Water detection
· Humidity control
· Early warning fire detection system
· FM-200 gas-based fire suppression system
· Double pre-action dry pipe sprinkler system
· 24/7 monitoring by remote Verio staff
DefenseWeb's systems administration staff performs the following:
· Performing regular backups and moving backups to an offsite location
· 24/7 application monitoring system with escalating response hierarchy
· Testing and deployment of patches and security fixes for base operating systems and supporting applications
|
Will only authenticated AKO users be able to access the system?
[1/4/2010]
Any Sponsor and their Family Members can gain access to their unit's site. AKO authentication is not required.
|
Some MACOM Website Administration policies require an internal review by the unit's designated internal PAO and OPSEC POCs before a commander (or his designated representative) approves/disapproves information to be posted on a website. How will vFRG be able to support that?
[8/6/2005]
The vFRG system, and its underlying content management system, has been created to allow content control (approve, deny, delay, etc.) at the user-level (role-based access control) and via work-flow. At the user level, you can specify which users have the ability to approve and release content (i.e., what role a user serves in the system). At the work-flow level, and by using user-based access-control, you can specify which roles must review the content before it goes live (e.g., only an FRG leader can post content in their vFRG and a RDC must approve all content posting before it goes live). The system is flexible and we can configure it to match the policy that the unit commander sets.
|
How do I subscribe to my unit's site as a Sponsor?
[1/20/2010]
To subscribe to an FRG as a Sponsor, go to the Army vFRG site. If you already have a username and password for the site, log in and then click on "Find an FRG" at the top of the screen on the right. If you don't have an account, just click on "Find an FRG": You'll be asked to create a username and password later.
When you click on "Find an FRG," you'll be shown the CONUS and OCONUS maps. Click on the state or country for your unit and then on the name of the FRG you are going to subscribe to. You'll be given a form to fill out. Change it to "Sponsor" and put in your name, email, phone, and last four of your SSN.
Depending upon your situation, one of two things can happen:
1) If your Sponsor information matches exactly, then your subscription will be automatically approved. If you do not have an account, you’ll then be asked to create a username and password and fill out your profile.
2) If your Sponsor information does not match exactly, you'll get an error message and will need to retry. Be sure to check the spelling of the name and the accuracy of the last four. If the system has you listed as "Steven," then you cannot subscribe using "Steve," for example.
The FRG Administrator of the site is responsible for keeping the Sponsor Database up to date. If you get the error that your Sponsor cannot be found and you are sure the information is correct, you will want to contact your FRG Administrator to verify that your correct information is in the Sponsor Database. To do so, go to the Army vFRG site (http://www.armyfrg.org) and click on Contact Us. Once there, click on Your Unit, find the unit you wish to contact, and send feedback there.
Download this guide for a pictorial walkthrough.
|
How do I subscribe to my unit's site as a Family Member?
[1/20/2010]
To subscribe to an FRG as a Family Member, go to the Army vFRG site. If you already have a username and password for the site, log in and then click on "Find an FRG" at the top of the screen on the right. If you don't have an account, just click on "Find an FRG": You'll be asked to create a username and password later.
When you click on "Find an FRG," you'll be shown the CONUS and OCONUS maps. Click on the state or country for your unit and then on the name of the FRG you are going to subscribe to. You'll be given a form to fill out. Leave it as "Family Member" and put in your name, email, and phone and the name and last four of your Sponsor of Interest.
Depending upon your situation, one of three things can happen:
1) If your Sponsor information matches exactly and you are on your Sponsor's invitation list, then your subscription will be automatically approved. If you do not have an account, you'll then be asked to create a username and password and fill out your profile.
2) If your Sponsor information matches exactly but you are not on your Sponsor's invitation list, then your subscription will be put in a pending state awaiting manual approval by the FRG Administrator. If you do not have an account, you'll then be asked to create a username and password and fill out your profile.
3) If your Sponsor information does not match exactly, you'll get an error message and will need to retry. Be sure to check the spelling of the name and the accuracy of the last four. If the system has your Sponsor listed as "Steven," then you cannot subscribe using "Steve," for example.
The FRG Administrator of the site is responsible for keeping the Sponsor Database up to date. If you get the error that your Sponsor cannot be found and you are sure the information is correct, you will want to contact your FRG Administrator to verify that the correct information is in the Sponsor Database. To do so, go to the Army vFRG site (http://www.armyfrg.org) and click on Contact Us. Once there, click on Your Unit, find the unit you wish to contact, and send feedback there.
Download this guide for a pictorial walkthrough.
|
I looked at the new site skin. What will happen to the information currently on our website under those categories and what will happen to our home page?
[3/16/2007]
All information currently entered for your vFRG site will remain. It will just render to match the new skin.
|
