........................................................................................................................................................(DATE)

Dear Mr. and/or Mrs. or Ms. (LAST NAME)

.....You have been identified by (FIRST AND LAST NAME) as the short-term designee who will care for their family member(s) as part of our (BRANCH OF SERVICE) Family Care Program.

.....The successful accomplishment of the (BRANCH OF SERVICE) mission is predicated on the availability of trained and motivated people. To achieve the force characteristics of responsiveness and flexibility, the (BRANCH OF SERVICE) must have people in the right place at the right time, unencumbered and ready to perform the jobs for which they have been trained.

.....The purpose of the Family Care Program is to ensure our single parents and military couples have made adequate arrangements for their family member(s) in the event of permanent change of station or permanent change of assignment, unaccompanied tours, temporary duty to include short notice or no-notice deployments, alerts, recalls, extended duty hours, shift work, and similar military obligations.

.....As the above member's designee, you must be willing and able to temporarily accept their family member(s) if this should happen. Their family care plan must cover all possible situations, both short and long-term, and must be sufficiently detailed and systematic to provide for a smooth, rapid transfer of responsibilities to you. Therefore, the following guidance/information is provided.

......It is mandatory that you be provided a special power of attorney in the event the family member(s) require medical treatment or enrollment in school while in your care. A power of attorney to act in "loco parentis" is encouraged, and may be required in some states.

.....Eligible family member (10 years and older) must have military identification cards (DD Form 1173). Although not mandatory, the member may request authorization, through appropriate base agencies, for you to use a base exchange and commissary in support of their family member(s).

.....Family members need to be enrolled in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) so there will be no problem in obtaining medical and dental care. It is the sponsor's responsibility to ensure you are knowledgeable of this system.

.....Ensure financial arrangements are made so you will have adequate funds for the family member(s); that is, buying of clothes, food, and so forth.

......Ensure you know who the long-term designee is and that transportation arrangements are made to transport the family member(s) from your care to them in the event it becomes necessary.

.....If during the members absence you need assistance or guidance there are several military agencies available to assist you. The first being our unit. You may also contact the nearest (MILITARY BRANCH) Legal Office, Personal Affairs Office, Accounting and Finance Center, Chaplain, or Family Support Center.

.....If you have any questions concerning your responsibilities, write to the above address or call (AREA CODE AND PHONE NUMBER). We want to ensure the service member's family member(s) are adequately taken care of and we will do everything we can to assist you in this endeavor.

.....................................................................Sincerely

.....................................................................(FIRST SERGEANT'S SIGNATURE BLOCK)