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VR-64 wins DOD award for family readiness

  • Published
  • By Petty Officer Second Class Armando Gonzales
  • U.S. Navy Chief of Information
WASHINGTON --  Department of Defense (DoD) officials presented the 2013 DoD Reserve Family Readiness Award to top units from each of the armed services during a ceremony at the Pentagon Hall of Heroes February 28.

The Reserve Family Readiness Award, established in 2000, recognizes one National Guard and Reserve unit from each of the seven Reserve components and the winners are those units with the best programs to support their military families.

Guest speaker, Chief of Navy Reserve Vice Adm. Robin Braun delivered remarks on behalf of the top Navy unit; the "Condors" of Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VR) 64.

"When family readiness is a priority that translates into mission readiness. It allows our Sailors to do what they are trained to do," said Braun. "By instilling confidence and faith into our Sailors that their needs and their families' needs will be met while they are away, they can then execute their mission."

Braun commended VR-64 for many of their specific achievements that led to the award including the squadron's enhancement of their Ombudsman, Command Individual Augmentation Coordinator, and Family Care Plan Coordinator programs. She also noted the squadron's establishment of a Family Readiness Group who creatively kept families informed and involved.

"It was a really special day to share with some of the spouses that are so important to our mission success," said Cmdr. Trevor Blow, commanding officer of VR-64. "Going out on detachments is so much easier when you know that your spouse and your kids are all taken care of."

Each of the winning units received a commemorative plaque, certificate and a $1,000 cash award to be used to further enhance the unit's family support programs.

"It doesn't get any better than this to be able to reward you for all your hard work that you have to do," said Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Reserve Affairs for Resources John Hastings. "On behalf of all the senior leadership in the department of defense, please continue to press on to do what you're doing."

The DoD relies on family readiness programs to support reservists serving in critical locations worldwide.