CFAY Celebrates Fleet and Family Support Program’s 40th Anniversary

YOKOSUKA, Japan – Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka (CFAY) celebrated the 40th Anniversary of the Fleet and Family Support Program (FFSP) at the base’s Community Readiness Center (CRC), July 17.

The initial Fleet and Family Readiness Program began in Norfolk, Virginia, on July 16, 1979, and subsequent programs were established in fleet-concentrated areas like San Diego and Yokosuka in the early 80s.

Shane Arnett, Fleet and Family Support Center (FFSC) Yokosuka’s
director, stated that the Yokosuka FFSC opened in 1984 and was located in the Personnel Support Detachment (PSD) building. FFSC Yokosuka was eventually moved to the CRC in 2009, and now employs 52 personnel comprised of 70% active duty member’s spouses, a diverse mix of civilians, military members, and Japanese nationals.

“It’s an honor to be here on this 40th Anniversary of the program,” said Arnett, “and a pleasure to serve this community.”

The worldwide 2019 campaign, “40 Years of Meeting Your Needs…at Home and at Sea,” highlights the programs aimed at enhancing the quality of life for military members and their families in the United States and overseas by providing programs such as Work and Family Life, Counseling Advocacy Prevention, Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR), and the Navy Gold Star Program.

“The mission that the Fleet and Family Support Center provides to our families is vital,” said Capt. Rich Jarrett, CFAY’s commanding officer. “It’s great to be at a command where the FFSC is front and center.”

Additionally, FFSC Yokosuka counselors and cultural experts offer assistance via Area Orientation Briefs, Ombudsmen training, Japanese spouse groups, marriage seminars, command support programs, language and finance classes, resume writing, employment fairs, host nation/community relations events and sightseeing tours.

CFAY provides, maintains, and operates base facilities and services in support of 7th Fleet’s forward-deployed naval forces, 71 tenant commands, and more than 27,000 military and civilian personnel and their families.