Last modified Wed., September 24, 2008 - 04:34 PM
Originally created Thursday, September 25, 2008

Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces, gets facts on IAs

By Clark Pierce, Editor

Adm. Jonathan Greenert, commander U.S. Fleet Forces Command (USFF), discussed Individual Augmentee (IA) program improvements with Sailors recently returned from IA deployment and solicited their feedback. Photo by Clark Pierce

Adm. Jonathan Green-ert, commander U.S. Fleet Forces Command (USFF), held an Individual Augmentee (IA) call at NAS Jacksonville Sept. 17 where he met with 30 IA Sailors who recently returned from deployment.

It was part of Greenert's three-day fact-finding tour at NAS Jax and NS Mayport.

"With approximately 13,000 Sailors on IA orders, one of Navy leadership's top priorities is supporting the mission and communicating every facet of the IA process with families," said Greenert.

HM1 Ariel DeJesus, a radiology specialist, served for one year in a 16-person medical training team embedded with the Afghan Army. His team helped establish and organize departments in a new hospital.

"Navy leadership has responded to feedback from Sailors and commands for a single command that administers every aspect of the IA process," explained Greenert.

"Now, USFF is designated as the executive agent for the IA Continuum. Our mission is to ensure a streamlined, standardized oversight of IA support programs Navy wide."

According to a recent news release, USFF also created a new communications tool called the "IA GRAM" to inform IA Sailors and their families about issues relating to deployment readiness in support of the war on terrorism.

SK1 Antoine Niblett initially deployed to a U.S. Army hospital in Kuwait. He then detached to Iraq and Afghanistan with a medical logistics training unit. Niblett also served in the east African country of Dijbouti on the Gulf of Aden

"IA GRAM messages provide information and policy updates to commands, Sailors and their families. Topics may include deployment health assessment policy, individual readiness, parent command responsibility and family support," said Greenert.

Recently, IA GRAM 08-2 announced establishment of the IA Common Operating Picture (IA COP).

It outlines procedures for Sailors and family members to utilize the Navy Family Accountability and Assessment System (NFAAS), which is an essential enabling tool for maintaining the IA COP.

NFAAS is also used to account for Navy families in times of crisis, such as hurricane evacuations. NFAAS can be accessed by secure log in at: https://navyfamily.navy.mil.

IA Sailors and families are encouraged to review and update their personal and family contact information by Sept. 30.

AN Christopher Henderson served in Iraq with the Army's 530th Military Police Battallion. His unit provided both interior and perimeter security at the Camp Bucca detainee facility.