Army Family Team Building Level I

Expectations and Impact of the Mission

Traits of Successful Army Families

Patriotic. The Army family has a strong sense of patriotism and love of country,
realizing that the peace and security of the country and its citizens are the primary
mission.

Adaptable. The challenges of mobility, uncertainty and separation force Army

families to adapt to new cultures, friends, and support systems and to deal with both
positive and negative emotions.

Involved and community oriented. The Army family is involved in the

community at all levels—neighborhood, unit, and city/installation—and they influence
others to do likewise.

Possess a keen sense of humor. The Reader’s Digest has a section called
“Laughter is the Best Medicine.” Army families use humor to carry them through a wide
range of emotions. It helps to find optimism in negative situations—even if the humor
comes later.

Have realistic expectations. What the Army will do for you has changed over the
years, as has what the Army expects of family members. In the early years there was
no Soldiers’ life insurance or spouse allotment. Families were expected to take in stride
the hardships and challenges presented in the military life. Today the Army family
enjoys the best quality of life the American military has ever known. Some families
think that the Army “should” meet each and every need that arises, but the realistic
family understands that Army has built a system of resources to create “trained and
ready” families who know how to operate and thrive in the current military environment.

Resourceful. The Army family learns how to “make do and make the best of” their
current situation whether it be a permanent change of station move, a tour in a foreign
country or the deployment of their soldier.

Celebrate adversity. The Army family says they have to….why else would they
love the military life?

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