Is the vFRG system secure?
[8/11/2009]
Yes. 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 security and threat vulnerability 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 Technology Security Certification and Accreditation Process (DITSCAP). The full three year ATO was granted in FY05 and is scheduled for another review and conversion to the Defense Information Assurance Certification Accreditation Process (DIACAP) in FY08. |
How does a Soldier subscribe to an FRG?
[2/29/2008]
Note, in order for a Soldier to subscribe to an FRG, he or she must be in the Soldier Database for that FRG first. If you receive a "Soldier Not Found" error, that means that you are not listed in the database, there is an error in your information, or the unit has not yet uploaded a complete database. Any of these issues must be addressed by the unit's site administrators. To contact the site administrators for your unit, click "Contact Us" on the Army FRG homepage and then on "Your Unit."
Once the Soldier is in the Soldier Database:
- If the Soldier has not registered for the Army FRG site already, go to Army FRG.
- Click on "Find an FRG" in the left navigation bar.
- Select the CONUS or OCONUS location of the FRG's home.
- Select the FRG from the list of units listed for that location. You can narrow the search if the list is long.
- In the dropdown of the next page, set the "I am subscribing as a" drop down to "Soldier."
- Enter the last 4 digits of the SSN, first name, and last name. Note, the name must appear exactly as it was entered into the Soldier Database.
- Fill in the account information for the Army FRG web site.
If the Soldier already has an Army FRG account, simply log into the Army FRG web site and continue on at the "Find an FRG" step above. The system will not ask the Soldier to establish a new account. Instead, the Soldier will be asked to either start creating a Sponsor list for family members or to just go directly to the FRG in question. |
How does a Family Member subscribe to an FRG?
[6/5/2009]
Note, in order for a Family Member to subscribe to an FRG, the Soldier of Interest must be in the Soldier Database for that FRG first. In order for the subscription to be automatically approved, the Soldier must have entered the Family Member into the invitation list. Otherwise, the subscription will be put in a Pending state awaiting approval by the FRG Administrator.
Once the Soldier is in the Soldier Database and the Family Member is in the Sponsor list:
- If the Family Member has not registered for the Army FRG site already, go to Army FRG.
- Click on "Find an FRG" in the left navigation bar.
- Select the CONUS or OCONUS location of the FRG's home.
- Select the FRG from the list of units listed for that location. You can narrow the search if the list is long.
- In the dropdown of the next page, set the "I am subscribing as a" drop down to "Family Member."
- Enter the Family Member's first and last names and then the Soldier of Interest's first and last names and the last 4 digits of the Soldier's SSN. Note, the Family Member's name must appear exactly as it was entered in the invitation list for automatic approval. Too, the Soldier's name must appear exactly as it was entered into the Soldier Database.
- Fill in the account information for the Army FRG web site.
If the Family Member already has an Army FRG account, simply log into the Army FRG web site and continue on at the "Find an FRG" step above. The system will not ask the Family Member to establish a new account. Instead, the Family Member will be taken to the FRG in question. |
Who serves as the unit Site Administrators?
[8/6/2005]
The site administrators are chosen by the unit. They should be active participants in the unit and will be approved by the unit commander. The selected site administrators should have basic computer knowledge, dedication to the unit, and a sense of accountability to the Soldiers and families of the unit. It is recommended that more than one site administrator be chosen for each unit to share the duties.
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What is the Soldier database used for and who will have access to this information?
[3/16/2007]
The Soldier database is the list of Soldiers that the FRG Administrator for the site should have. Only the FRG Admins will have access to the tool that allows upload of that information to the site. The file that will be uploaded is an Excel spreadsheet with the Soldiers' first and last names, last four of the SSN, and the UIC of the FRG.
When the Soldier then registers and subscribes to the site, the system will match up the subscription information with the Soldier database and automatically approve the Soldier. Note that this means the Soldier must subscribe with the precise name as it appears in the Soldier database. For example, if the database has "Steven," the Soldier cannot subscribe as "Steve" and have the automatic process work. |
What responsibilities do the Site Administrators have?
[8/16/2006]
Site Administrators are chosen by the unit commander. The commander will decide what specific responsibilities the Site Administrators will have. Generally speaking, Site Administrators will be responsible for actions such as: adding content to the unit website, monitoring discussions and forums, and approving users for the unit's webpage. |
I have a question about the Soldier database template. Do we have to fill this out with everyone in the unit, including the ones who have already registered?
[3/16/2007]
Instead of trying to determine which Soldiers are and are not already in the system, we recommend that you upload your entire unit roster to the system. This will not adversely affect anyone already registered, but will ensure that your list is complete. Additionally, this will allow Soldiers who are already registered to sponsor others, should that need arise in the future. |
Do I really have to enter all of our Soldiers into the Soldier database? Our unit is quite large and that will be difficult for us.
[9/30/2008]
We do understand that for some FRGs, the Soldier database will be quite large. However, this roster already exists in each unit and can easily be converted to the Soldier DB template. The only way for users to subscribe is to identify themselves with a Soldier in the Soldier Database.
By uploading that list to the Army FRG site, this process can be automated. Rather than having to look up each Soldier on a piecemeal basis, the system will automatically match the Soldier's subscription information to the Soldier database and when there is a match, automatically approve the subscription. Similarly, the Soldier can then write up his or her list of family members and add those to the "Sponsor Others" list.
When those family members subscribe to the FRG, they will be compared against the Sponsor Others list and when there is a match, be automatically approved.
The FRG Admin will always receive notice of when someone has requested a subscription to the FRG, including automatic approvals. If there is no match with the Soldier database, the FRG Admin will then be able to manually add a Soldier and approve the request through the Subscription List.
Too, the database can be uploaded in steps. If you have a large list and need to compile it by hand, you can do part of it now, upload just that part, and then upload the rest of it later.
Please note that the information for the database is quite minimal needing only the Soldier's first name, last name, last four, and UIC for the unit (that last will be the same for everyone.)
The development of the Soldier database was to help automate the process of approving subscriptions to your FRG. In order to do that, the system needs to know who your Soldiers are. |
Are we going to have to upload the data form the "Soldier DB Template" to the vFRG system ourselves or do you just need us to send the finished file?
[3/16/2007]
You will complete your Soldier database according to the template. Then, you'll go into your vFRG and then into the Control Panel for that FRG. There, you will see the "Sponsor" control panel. In the Sponsor control panel, there is a link, "Soldier Upload." Click on that to upload the Excel spreadsheet you've created. |
Do I have to move all of my Soldier names to the template or can I upload my own Excel spreadsheet?
[3/16/2007]
You may use the template or your own spreadsheet as long as the columns are exactly the same. If using your own, please ensure that the columns are labeled:
Column A – First Name
Column B – Last Name
Column C – SSNLastFour
Column D – UIC |
What is a UIC?
[3/16/2007]
UIC stands for “Unit Identification Code.” The UIC is a six-character, alphanumeric code that uniquely identifies each Active, Reserve, and National Guard unit of the Armed Forces. |
I need to know how to get the UIC information for the vFRG site where I serve as a Site Administrator. Can you tell me where I get this information?
[3/16/2007]
The unit commander, rear detachment commander, or unit staff will be able to provide this information for you. |
Our unit is currently in the transformation process. Our geographical location will be the same, but the UIC will change. Should I update the information now or wait for the change?
[3/26/2007]
The information for the FRG can be updated at any time. The new system's method of helping a user find the FRG to subscribe to will include the geographic information and the UIC information to provide multiple ways of finding the FRG rather than just the name. If the status of your FRG changes, you can update the information for your FRG and the system will adjust accordingly. |
Do you want the unit's UIC on the Soldier database template or the separate company UIC that each individual Soldier is in? I just want to make sure I put in the correct information.
[3/16/2007]
The UIC used should be the UIC of the vFRG site developed. If it is a Battalion site, then you would use the UIC for the Battalion (which most of the time ends with a "AA"); if it is a waiver-approved company site, then you would use the company's UIC. |
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. |
Must the Soldier database template be accomplished for family members to gain access? I thought the Soldier's information was verified from the DEERS database?
[3/26/2007]
They vFRG system began a new registration process on 15 March 2007. Since that time, the Soldier database has been the primary method for approving new users to the system. Users who enter Soldier information that is included on the Soldier Database will be automatically approved for the site. If the Soldier is not in the database, an email will be sent to the vFRG Site Admin, who can manually add the Soldier and approve the request.
The "DEERS” feature on the vFRG system was not used to update Soldier’s information. It was simply a tool for vFRG Admins to use when determining accessibility of content on their vFRG site. |
If our unit is currently deployed to Iraq, do we annotate IRAQ (OCONUS) or do we annotate our home installation, Fort Hood, TX (CONUS)?
[3/16/2007]
The “Find an FRG” list will be based on your home installation. In this case, you would annotate Fort Hood, TX. |
What if a user does not have the Soldier’s Social Security Number?
[9/30/2008]
There is no way to subscribe to a site without having the Sponsor's last four digits of the SSN as this is how the system validates your connection to the unit. You will need to contact your Sponsor for this information. |
How do I configure my unit site's contact us module?
[3/21/2007]
In order to answer comments from your unit's users, you need to configure your Contact Us module. To do this:
-Log into the system.
-Choose your unit site in the drop down just below the banner, and click the "Go" button.
-Click the "Control Panel" link at the top right corner of the page.
-Click the "Contact Us" link in the Administration Modules section.
-Click the "Add Recipient" link at the top of the screen.
-On the Add Recipient screen, fill in the information to recieve the emails. The FRG Administrator's Name goes in the Name text box, a description of who is answering the questions (i.e. Unit Questions) goes in the description text box, and the FRG Administrator's email goes in the the "TO:" Recipients text box.
-Click the "Add Recipient" button at the bottom of the screen to save all of your information.
Once this is configured, the email address you specified in the "To:" Recipients text box will recieve emails every time a user clicks the "Contact Us" link on the user side of your unit site. This will help better assist your family members and unit site users. |
