Elaina Avalos has been the VMU-1 Family Readiness Officer since Sept ember of 2010. Elaina comes into the FRO position with family readiness experience as a Marine Corps Family Team Building staff member at two installations. She has seen the family readiness program grow and change over the course of almost 10 years. She believes wholeheartedly that family readiness equals mission readiness and is a passionate supporter of the changes to the program.
While working with active duty FROs at MCAS Cherry Point, prior to the start of OIF, Elaina often thought to herself that she wished she could be a FRO; it was her “dream job,” she has been known to say. After the functionality assessment of Marine Corps Family Team Building and Family Readiness, when the decision was made to turn the active duty billet into a civilian one, there really wasn’t anything she wanted to do more than serve Marines, Sailors and their families in this capacity.
One of Elaina’s greatest desires for VMU-1, beyond equipping the Marines and families with the knowledge and resources they need, is to see an even closer-knit group develop amongst the spouses of the unit. “Marines, as we all know, are known for their cohesion. As loved ones, family members and spouses of Marines, we too need to have that same cohesion. While it can take time to build an environment of inclusion, and the ability to focus on common goals when we are all so different, I am focused on that overall desire and will be working towards that,” she said. Elaina is encouraging all VMU-1 family members and spouses to take a step out of their comfort zones and get involved at the Squadron, whether it’s by taking Family Readiness Assistant training or coming to one of the upcoming socials.
A Southern California native who considers eastern North Carolina her adopted home, Elaina had never been to Twentynine Palms until 2009. She is enjoying getting to know the area and after almost 10 years of a slow pace in coastal North Carolina, enjoys the similar pace here in 29. While not working, Elaina enjoys photography, writing and catching up with her family. She is enjoying the fact that family is just a quick trip down the hill after being thousands of miles away for so long.
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