Check-in Procedures

All soldiers moving to Germany will fly into Ramstein Air Base. Please note: Before bringing or shipping a pet, it is important that unaccompanied soldiers coordinate with their gaining commands. If you are shipping a pet into Germany, you will be charged a fee.

After arrival, all personnel will process through Immigration, Customs, and collect their bags. Passengers will then move to the reception processing area and prepare for transportation to their respective units. The bus ride from Ramstein Air Base to Ansbach is approximately four hours.

The Central Processing Facility will be notified and designated personnel will be waiting for soldiers and family members' arrival.

Unit sponsors are authorized to pick up arriving soldiers and family members at Ramstein Air Base with their commander's approval. Prior to release, sponsors are required to sign a statement confirming they will drop off the new soldier at the gaining unit's Central Processing Facility immediately upon arrival.

Ramstein Air Base phone number:

Commercial: +496371479196, if calling from the United States: 011-49-6371479196<

Upon arrival to Ansbach, you will be greeted at the Central Processing Facility/Welcome Center on Katterbach Kaserne by a member of the staff from the CPF. The CPF and the In-processing Training Center are responsible for in- and out-processing all permanent-party soldiers to and from the Ansbach community. After a short orientation, you will be released to your unit. Arrival day is referred to as A-Day or Day 0.

Upon receipt of orders, contact your Unit and request a Sponsor.  Your Sponsor can assist in booking a room at Army Lodging Brainard Hall, Building 8152, Urlas Kaserne (https://ansbach.armymwr.com/programs/brainard-hall). The temporary lodging facility at this installation has limited rooms for families with pets.  If they are fully booked, you will be referred to a hotel close to base in Ansbach. 

To reach the Army Lodging Brainard Hall for reservation information, dial +49-9802-83-7014 or DSN 314-467-7014.

For soldiers who get married en route, check with the losing installation before departing to find out what needs to be done to obtain command sponsorship for their spouse. If this is not done before departure, the Soldier will have to travel unaccompanied to Germany and start the command sponsorship process upon arrival. More information can be obtained from the Military Personnel Division at DSN 314-467-3469/3474/3471, or from the United States at 011-49-9802-83-3469/3474/3471.

(Developed for soldiers who want their family to join them on their tour in Europe)

Upon arrival at your permanent duty station, contact your local Military Personnel Division to start the paperwork. You will need a:

• Request for command sponsorship using the Department of the Army Form 4187, “Personnel Action,” signed by your commander
• Copy of your orders
• Proof of family member status (birth certificate, marriage license, etc.)
• Completed DA Form 5888 (Part 1), “Family Member Deployment Screening Sheet,” authenticated by your local Military Personnel Division
• Proof of custody (if required)
• Location and point-of-contact information for family members

* Contact your local military health care facility, Exceptional Family Member Program coordinator or Army Community Service EFMP manager for assistance with the stateside screening process.

Notify your family of the process for command sponsorship. Make sure your family is enrolled in Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System.

Contact your local Army Community Service EFMP manager if you have any questions concerning family members with special medical or educational needs.

*See under heading for Temporary Housing information on the Army Lodging Brainard Hall website.