As both a Department of the Army civilian and military spouse, Virginia Hindbaugh is vitally concerned with Army plans and policies. When asked to serve as a delegate for the national Army Family Action Plan conference, she didn't hesitate.

"I'm humbled to have been chosen," said Hindbaugh, a Family readiness support assistant for the 21st Signal Brigade. The 56th Signal Battalion at Fort Gordon is part of the 21st.

Held Jan. 26-30 in Alexandria, Va., the national conference focuses on issues which have been discussed at lower levels such as installations and TRADOC.

Hindbaugh was part of a focus group which discussed the top issue of the conference - bereavement permissive temporary duty.

A military leave category for bereavement doesn't exist, said Hindbaugh. There are leave categories for events such as scouting programs but not in the event of the death of a loved one.

"They have to use their annual leave time," she said.

And if the death is of a parent or spouse, a four-day pass or even 30 days leave may not be enough time to clear legal matters and grieve.

After the groups discussed the issues, they were presented to a Generals' council with top-ranking Army officials hearing the matters.

Hindbaugh said it was gratifying to see how these high-ranking officials responded with care to the items discussed during the conference.

Hindbaugh is looking forward to the Fort Gordon conference which is scheduled for Feb. 25-26 and plans to use some of the knowledge gained at the national conference to help locally.

"I hope to be able to advise how to better write an issue," she said.

If issues are to make it through TRADOC to the Department of the Army level, they should be written in a way to make them noticed.