2024 Fort Liberty Family of the Year Nominations window is now open from September 9 through October 25!

Do you know an amazing Fort Liberty Family that goes above and beyond and deserves recognition? 

Here’s your opportunity to highlight all they do and what makes them so special.

Nominees and winners will be saluted during the official ceremony on December 5!

Nomination packets must be submitted before the close of business on October 25, 2024 in person during regular business hours at Army Community Service (Soldier Support Center, 3rd floor).  Download Nomination Packet (.pdf)

For more information or if you have questions, call +1 (910)396-2458 or +1 (910)907-3393.

The Army Community Service (ACS) Volunteer Program offers valuable opportunities to gain experience and directly impact change within Army Community Service programs. Our ACS Volunteers are eligible to receive 10 hours per week in free childcare. For CYS registration information, please visit CYS Parent and Outreach Services.

Available volunteer opportunities for ACS and other installation activities may be found by visiting Army Family Web Portal. All volunteers must be registered in the Volunteer Management Information System (VMIS), accessible through the Army Family Web Portal website.

For further information on how you may become an “essential piece” of the ACS Volunteer Program, please contact us or download the ACS Volunteer Program brochure (.pdf).

Volunteers are required to be registered in the central database, as well as reporting hours each month.

Fort Liberty units/organizations are now on line with the new Department of Army Volunteer Management Information System (VMIS) at the Army Family Web Portal. You may search for volunteer opportunities, log your hours, and document training and awards all on one site.  The information travels with you when you PCS or ETS, and provides you with a complete volunteer history whether you’re just tracking your volunteer activities, or using the information to search for employment. Available volunteer opportunities can be found by accessing Army Family Web Portal.  

• VMIS How to Guide (.pdf)

• VMIS User Guide (.pdf)

Volunteer Manager Training Schedule

Training is offered throughout the year for those individuals in units, installation activities, and registered private organizations who manage volunteers. The various training opportunities provide knowledge/skills to enable you to manage your volunteers within the Army Volunteer Management Information System, write effective award nominations, understand the administrative and legal issues involved with managing Army Volunteers, etc. All training opportunities are open to Family Readiness Support Assistants (FRSA), Family Readiness Liaisons (FRL), Family Readiness Group (FRG) leadership, as well as agency/private organization volunteer coordinators.  Training is also open to commanders (to include rear detachment), senior spouses, etc. – anyone who wants to learn the ins and outs of managing Army volunteers.

VMIS Registration Incentives

New incentives (.pdf) available just for registering and logging hours!

Registration is important to your unit/organization chain of command, and the installation. It provides valuable information on the number of volunteers, the types of work volunteers are performing, and the amount of time worked. This information provides the command with the big picture as to how our volunteers are supporting our Soldiers, their Families, and the mission. 

As part of the Braggin' Bucks Program, when you register in VMIS and log your hours each month, your hours can be “cashed” in for various items such as totes, portfolios, tumblers, etc. Hours must be entered during the current open period, and logged appropriately by day and not by period. Only hours logged for Fort Liberty units/organizations since October 2009 count toward the program.

Each volunteer registered in VMIS and logging hours can also earn a lapel pin for every 250 hours documented.  The basic lapel pin is earned with the initial 250 hours, and then wings are added for each additional 250 hours.  Wings are available in increments of 250 hours through 2,500 hours. Pins are available in for pickup the AVC office at any time after you reach each individual goal.  Hours must be certified by your OPOC prior to claiming your pin.

Can’t get into the office to pick up your pin? Email us (at the link at the top of the page) with your name, organization, and mailing address. As long as the information is properly input into VMIS, we can verify it and drop your pin in the mail within a few days!

Iron Mike Awards Ceremony Photos

Photos taken at the Iron Mike Awards Ceremonies will be posted on the Army Volunteer Corps Facebook Page.

Types of Volunteers

Installation volunteers fall into three categories:  statutory, private organization, and gratuitous service. 

• Statutory volunteers are those volunteers authorized by federal statute (10 USC 1588) to provide services in certain Department of Defense activities such as MWR, family programs, museums, chaplain, child care, etc.  Statutory volunteers, when acting within the scope of their position description, are provided certain benefits by law such as worker’s compensation.
• Private organization volunteers are part of non-federal entities authorized to operate on the installation.  These organizations contribute to the overall installation mission, but their volunteers are not considered statutory.  All liability for incidents/accidents or injury to the volunteer are the responsibility of the private organization.
• Gratuitous service volunteers provide services to organizations not covered under the federal statute, and do so with no expectation of compensation or benefit coverage.

Applicable Volunteer Policies and Regulations

• Installation Volunteer Recognition & Awards Program (FB Regulation 608-1, Apr 2009) (.pdf)
• Army Community Service Center (AR 608-1, Chapter 5, March 2013) (.pdf)
• US Code, Title 10, 1588, Authority to Accept Certain Voluntary Services (.pdf)

Required Volunteer Registration Forms

Per AR 608-1, all statutory volunteers must register, complete a volunteer agreement, and have a position description PRIOR to starting work. In addition, the regulation requires volunteers to document all hours worked.  Registration in the VMIS at Army One Source eliminates the need for the following forms: 

• Don’t Need DA 4162, Volunteer Service Record (generated when registered in VMIS)
• Don’t Need DA 4713, Volunteer Daily Time Record (generated when registered in VMIS)
• Need DD Form 2793, Mar 2018 (.pdf)*
  This form is position specific and must be signed by the volunteer and the unit/organization accepting official prior to starting work. A separate DD Form 2793 must be completed/signed for each statutory activity in which the volunteer works. The original must be maintained in the unit/organization files, and a copy uploaded to VMIS in the Volunteer VSR under the Files Tab. The DD Form 2793 is not applicable to private organization or gratuitous service volunteers.
  
  *This version (Mar 2018) replaces the May 2009 version. New forms do not have to be completed unless the volunteer position in the organization has changed.

Award Information & Nomination Form

• Volunteer Awards Checklist (.pdf)
• DA Form 1256, Incentive Award Nomination & Approval (.pdf)
• Iron Mike Award Nomination Form (.pdf)

The Army Family Action Plan (AFAP) is your platform to voice quality-of-life issues, feedback, ideas, and suggestions. It’s the best way to let Army leadership know about what works, what doesn’t, and how you think problems can be resolved. We give Active and Reserve Component Soldiers, Army Civilians, Retirees, Survivors, and Family members a primary tool to help identify issues and concerns and shape your standards of living. Fort Liberty no longer has a formal AFAP program however, utilizes other forums to generate and address local issues, and forward higher level issues as appropriate.

You can submit issues at your garrison’s Army Community Service office or to a unit Family Programs liaison. Army OneSource also facilitates AFAP issues online and makes sure your concerns get the attention they deserve. The information you submit gives Army leadership insight and helps foster a satisfied, informed, and resilient Army Community.

AFAP makes a meaningful difference. Since AFAP was created in 1983, over 698 issues have been submitted, resulting in 128 legislative changes, 186 Department of Defense or Army policy changes, and 210 improved programs or services.

Here’s a sample of AFAP results:  

• Dedicated Special Needs Space in Child, Youth, and School Services (CYSS)
• Distribution of Montgomery GI Bill benefits to dependents  
• Annual Leave carryover increase from 60 to 75 days 
• Extended educational benefits for Spouses
• Dental and visual insurance coverage for Federal Employees
• Medical Coverage for Activated Reserve Component Families
• Military pay table (targeted pay raises) 
• Military Thrift Savings Plan 
• TRICARE for Life for eligible Retirees
• Funding for Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers (B.O.S.S.)
• Active Duty Enlisted Soldier Compassionate Reassignment Stabilization
• SGLI increases
• Minimum standards for Army Child Care
• In-state tuition for Military Dependents

To submit an issue or suggestion, go to your local Army Community Service office or Army OneSource.

Community Action Council (CAC)

The CAC is a monthly forum open to all members of the Fort Liberty community. Updates will be provided from across the Garrison on installation happenings, key initiatives, current events, etc. and allow for community members to submit issues/concerns to be addressed by Garrison and community subject-matter experts. The CAC is typically held the 3^rd Wednesday of each month (excluding July and December) from 9:30-11:00am at the Iron Mike Conference Center. It is also available to view via Livestream on the Fort Liberty Facebook page.

Submit an Issue

AFAP offers you, a member of the Fort Liberty community, the opportunity to improve life at our installation and the United States Army.

After you submit your issue, your issue is addressed through the AFAP process. During the year, it is sent to the agency or organization that can provide feedback about how to solve the issue. It is then included among the issues addressed during the annual Fort Liberty Installation AFAP Conference, typically held during the fall. Conference delegates that demographically represent Fort Liberty will discuss and prioritize what they think are the most critical issues. These issues are presented to the Commanding General for resolution. 

Here are some tips that will help to make your issue understandable:

• Be specific. You do not have to include great detail, but the more detail you provide the better we can address your issue.
• It is not mandatory that you include your name or email address. However, sometimes we may need additional information or clarification and may need to contact the individual submitting the issue. We are only able to do this if you provide that information to us. A first name and email address would be sufficient.
• Make suggestions for improvements. Your suggestions will help to clarify your issue.
• All issues are considered. However, it may take time for the results of your issue to be seen. You may always follow up on an issue through the AFAP office.
• If you would like to confirm that your issue was received by the AFAP Program Manager, contact the AFAP office.

List only one issue per email and please include your recommendation for a solution.

______________________________

If you would like to submit an issue for review, please email us! Please follow the guidelines listed above when submitting your issue.

Volunteer Opportunities Calendar  

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