Written by: Jessica Beckendorf
The Military Family Readiness System (MFRS) is described in policy as a vast network of programs, services, and individuals working in collaboration (DoDI 1342.22, 2021). To a practitioner on the ground, however, this system can feel like a massive, systemic machine—one that is too large for any single person to influence. But the true strength of the MFRS isn’t in its size; it’s in its capacity for ‘local pivots.’ These are the intentional moments where community leaders, service providers, and individuals adapt their existing resources to meet the complex, real-world needs that a policy alone cannot address.
From Grassroots to Systemic Change
A local pivot often starts with a single person noticing a gap. Monica Bassett, CEO of Stronghold Food Pantry, didn’t wait for a formal agency to address food insecurity at Fort Riley. Instead, she pivoted her own resources—starting in her garage—to provide a respectful, anonymous “hand up” for military families. This shift from “someone should do something” to “I will use what I have” is the essence of local readiness. By prioritizing dignity over bureaucracy, Bassett proved that a single individual’s agency can spark a community-wide support network.
Integrating the Installation
Pivoting also happens at the leadership level when we stop viewing “the base” and “the town” as separate entities. Mayor Will Lewis of Havelock, North Carolina, demonstrates how a city can pivot its entire planning logic to grow alongside a military installation. In Havelock, readiness is not a standalone program; it is woven into city council meetings and local sports leagues. By including installation representatives on planning committees, the city pivoted from being a “neighbor” to being a “partner.” This integration ensures that when a family deploys, the community infrastructure is already positioned to support them.
Finding Your Pivot
The lesson for us all is clear: You don’t need to change the entire system to improve readiness. You only need to look at your current “circle of control” and ask how it can be adapted. If you feel like the system is too big or too rigid, your “pivot” is simply to deepen the connections already around you. You don’t need a new program; you need a new conversation. When you invest in understanding the unique local assets in your community, you help build a more integrated ecosystem, ensuring that no family has to navigate their challenges in isolation.
Call to Action
Identify one local partner—someone you maybe haven’t met yet or someone you haven’t spoken to in a while—and invite them for a quick chat. Ask them: “What are you seeing in our community right now, and how can we make sure we’re supporting the same families effectively?”
