National Security

Purpose: The purpose of the National Security Committee is to promote a strong national defense. Standing Rule #7, Core National Standing Committees

The ALA National Security program maintains and promotes a strong national defense by strengthening and supporting military servicemembers and their families. 

• Support active-duty military families by working with an installation Family Readiness Group (FRG). Contact the Family Readiness Center on your nearby military installation for more information.

  • First, let’s demystify the lingo. FRG stands for “Family Readiness Group,” and it is the focal point of family readiness in the U.S. Navy

  • The U.S. Army FRG is now known as the Soldier and Family Readiness Group, or SFRG

  • In the U.S. Air Force, it's known as the Key Spouse Program

  • The U.S. Marine Corps has the Family Readiness Program

  • The Coast Guard has the Work-Life Program

• Collaborate with other like-minded organizations that also support servicemembers and their families:

  • ASYMCA
    Donate to or volunteer at local Armed Services YMCA food pantries which support servicemembers and their families.

  • Blue Star Families
    Blue Star Welcome Week — Supporters

  • USO
    Volunteer with your local USO.

  • Quilts of Valor Foundation
    Award a Quilt of Valor — quilts = comfort and healing

  • Taking Care of Our People (defense.gov)

Raise awareness of POW/MIAs and the work being performed by the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) in the search for missing personnel.

• https://www.defense.gov/Multimedia/Experience/POW-MIA/

• Host events in honor of National POW/MIA Recognition Day on the third Friday in September.

  • https://dpaa-mil.sites.crmforce.mil/dpaaFamWebPosters

• Post a POW/MIA flag at every meeting or event.

• If you or someone you know is related to a servicemember classified as Missing in Action, please consider donating mitochondrial DNA to assist identification processes. For more information, visit https://www.health.mil/Military-Health-Topics/Health-Readiness/AFMES?type=Articles.

Remember to support those families whose servicemembers made the ultimate sacrifice.

• Work with like-minded organizations to support the families of servicemembers who died during service to our country:

  • American Gold Star Mothers

  • American Gold Star Families

  • Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors

• Utilize Military OneSource resources to assist those you know in need.

Deadlines/Important Dates

• Year-end reports — May 15, 2024: Department chairmen reports due via email to division chairmen with a copy to national chairman.

• Department and Unit Award Nomination Form Completed and Submitted: June 1.

• Salute to Servicemembers Award Deadline: June 1.