Military Sponsorship

When you PCS, the first days on a new installation are bound to be an adventure. That’s where military sponsorship comes in, offering something no briefing memo can — a friendly face and a wealth of personal experience and local knowledge.

• Sponsors are assigned through your unit before you PCS, but if you need assistance or haven’t been assigned a sponsor, contact your installation Military and Family Support Center for assistance.
• Typically, sponsors are matched by rank and family status. For example, if you have school-age children, your sponsor can tell you about schools, activities and other resources. If you’re a single service member, sponsors can be very helpful as you manage your move and settle in on your own.
• To get to know you, help you settle in and point you to resources and support, your sponsor will likely ask for details about your interests, your family and your needs, such as child care, housing, special needs, recreation and more. Feel free to start the conversation as well.
• Be sure to share your arrival date and travel plans with your sponsor, who may agree to meet you at the airport and help you through in-processing.

Sponsors can share personal experiences to help you transition and settle in to your new duty station. By sharing information about you and your family’s situation, your sponsor can connect you to the resources and information you need more effectively.

Sponsors can help you:

• Evaluate temporary lodging and other local housing options
• Connect to special medical and education resources and information for your family member
• Explore installation and community-based child care options for your family
• Connect to helpful employment resources offered through your installation Military and Family Support Center
• Explore educational options for your military-connected student (Different installations, states and countries offer varied educational options for military-connected children. Find out what’s available at your new duty station.)
• Find fun and enjoyable activities available nearby to help you and your family members settle in to your new home and meet new people
• Understand pet care options and considerations for your furry family members

Learn more about sponsorship benefits:

• Contact your Military and Family Support Center.
• Get a feel for your new duty station through MilitaryINSTALLATIONS. Search for programs, services, and state and neighborhood resources.
• View the eSponsorship Application & Training course available on MilLife Learning.

Moving sponsorship versus command sponsorship

Be sure not to confuse a moving sponsor with command sponsorship.

• The military-wide sponsorship program is a benefit available to all military families no matter where you are moving.
• Command sponsorship, or “accompanied orders,” is a designation for families moving overseas, where a sponsor’s experience can be particularly helpful with navigating the culture, language, driving rules, currency exchange, climate and much more.
• If you have command sponsorship, it will appear on your orders and provide several benefits to families during and after the move.