Army Community Service (ACS)

Army National Guard: Retired

Benefit Fact Sheet

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Summary

The Mission of Army Community Service (ACS) is to:

  • Facilitate commander's ability to provide comprehensive, standardized, coordinated, and responsive services that support Soldiers, Department of the Army (DA) Civilians, and Families regardless of geographical location.

  • Maximize technology and resources, eliminate duplication in service delivery, and measure service effectiveness.

Eligibility

Retired Army National Guard Soldiers and their Families are eligible for Army Community Service (ACS).

In the United States, the following personnel are eligible for ACS services provided they meet the criteria for the service requested:

  • All active duty and retired military personnel and their Family members

  • Members of the ARNG and USAR and their identification (ID) card eligible Family members are eligible for full access to installation ACS service while on an active duty and during the first year post mobilization, after which time, and for so long as the Soldier remains a member of the ARNG or USAR, eligibility is retained on a space available basis

  • Army appropriated fund (APF) and non-appropriated fund (NAF) civilian employees, and their Family members

  • Family members of prisoners of war or personnel missing in action

  • Surviving Family members of military personnel who died while on active duty

In overseas commands, the commander will determine eligibility according to international treaties and agreements.

Benefit Highlights

Army Community Service (ACS) Centers are operated at Army installations where 500 or more military members are assigned. Core services available from ACS Centers include:Mother and Daughter playing on the floor

Deployment or Mobilization and Stability and Support Operations Readiness  

  • Preplanning for Family assistance to include:

    • Soldier and Family Readiness Groups (SFRGs)

    • Rear Detachments

    • Family Readiness Support Assistants (FRSAs)

  • Pre-deployment planning

  • Mobilization/deployment support and information

  • Post-deployment/mobilization support

  • Operation Ready (Resources for Educating About Deployment and You)

  • Support to unaccompanied Family members evacuated/returned from an overseas area (repatriation assistance)

Soldier and Family Readiness:

  • Family Advocacy Program (FAP)

  • Victim Advocacy Program (VAP)

  • Sexual Harassment and Assault Response and Prevention Program (SHARP)

  • Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Program (SAPR)

  • Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP)

  • Transitional Compensation Program (TC)

  • New Parent Support Program (NPSP)

Relocation Readiness:

  • Relocation counseling

  • Pre-arrival informationHome for Sale sign with sold on top

  • Post-move newcomer orientation

  • Overseas orientation

  • Reentry workshops

  • Lending Closet

  • Services to multicultural Families

  • Liaison for United Citizen Immigration Services (USCIS)

  • Hearts Apart support to Waiting Families (Outreach services include identification, counseling and advocacy)

  • Sponsorship: Sponsor training of unit sponsorship trainers and/or reactionary sponsors and youth sponsorship.

  • Citizen Immigration Services Liaison

Employment Readiness:

  • Up-to-date resource information on available local, national and international employment opportunities, job market trends, and education and volunteer resources.

  • Classes and seminars on self-assessment and career exploration, resume writing, interviewing techniques, dressing for success, networking, and entrepreneurship.

  • Resume critiques

  • Career counseling and individual career assessments.

  • Job fairs and other hiring events.

  • Teen/youth employment Information

  • Computers with internet access, resume writing software, and typing tutorials

Financial Readiness:

  • Financial readiness education and training

  • Financial counseling services

  • Prescreening and counseling for the Family Subsistence Supplemental Assistance (FSSA) Program

  • Debt liquidation assistance

  • Consumer advocacy service

  • Consumer complaint resolution assistance

  • Emergency assistance

  • Army Emergency Relief Agency (AER)

Volunteer Programs

  • Army Family Team Building Program

  • Army Family Action Plan Program

  • Army Volunteer Corps Coordinator

Soldier and Family Assistance Centers/Survivor Outreach Services (SOS) Survivor Outreach Service (SOS) logo

  • Support for Survivors

  • Support for Wounded and Fallen

Additional Information

For more information, please visit the official website maintained by the U.S. Army Installation Management Command (IMCOM G-9 Family and MWR): 
https://www.armymwr.com/programs-and-services/personal-assistance

Army Regulation 608-1, Army Community Service: 
https://armypubs.army.mil/epubs/DR_pubs/DR_a/pdf/web/ARN6228_AR608-1_Web_Final.pdf

For the location of the Army Community Service office on local Army Installations, check the Resource Locator library on MyArmyBenefits:
https://myarmybenefits.us.army.mil/Benefit-Library/Resource-Locator

Document Review Date: 17 October 2024