Sponsorship

To help prepare sponsors for success, the Sponsorship Program provides training and access to important information and resources that can help newcomers master their move. The Sponsorship Program helps sponsors fulfill their responsibilities, which may include:

• Contacting the service member and family with an introductory email
• Staying in contact with the service member throughout the moving process
• Sending information about the new community and duty assignment, responding to questions and providing information about resources
• Confirming transportation and lodging arrangements
• Helping with post office arrangements
• Meeting service members and family members upon arrival
• Going with service members to unit check-in point
• Introducing service members to the Military and Family Support Center and loan closet, if it’s available
• Familiarizing service members and families with the installation and key locations, like the commissary

Note: Responsibilities may vary based on service-specific policies and guidance. Make sure to check with your service branch for sponsor training requirements.

Overall, the Sponsorship Program aims to:

• Provide newcomers with a sense of belonging
• Ease the transition for inbound service members or civilians and their family members
• Increase productivity of service members and loved ones
• Help newcomers make informed decisions
• Cultivate new friendships
• Improve morale

For more information on the Sponsorship Program, contact your installation Military and Family Support Center.

Sponsorship is also available for youth. Installation youth sponsorship programs help military-connected youth make a successful transition to a new community. Primarily directed to preteen and teenaged youth, installation youth programs/centers provide information and materials on programs and services available at their new location. Where available, youth can exchange emails, talk on the phone or chat online with other youth. The youth program staff at your new installation can offer more information on installation youth sponsorship programs.

You can also contact your installation School Liaison Program office for information about school-based youth sponsorship programs such as Anchored4Life and Student2Student. These peer-to-peer programs help your student adjust to and navigate their new school.

If your child would like to become a youth sponsor, contact your installation School Liaison Program or youth program/center.

Command Sponsorship

Please note this is the process if the soldier is already at United States Army Garrison Ansbach. For personnel that are still at their losing installation they should seek out their Military Personnel Division for guidance on requesting command sponsorship of family members.

Acquired Dependents

Soldiers who are serving an unaccompanied tour and who acquire dependents through birth, marriage, adoption or other action, after the service member’s effective date of orders to the overseas duty station are not authorized government-funded travel entitlements for acquired dependents even if the dependents are subsequently granted command sponsorship. This means that if dependents are command sponsored, the Family Travel Authorization will only authorize Space Available travel. If command sponsorship is approved, once the soldier is ready to permanent change of station to next duty station, the dependents will be included in the new orders and will be entitled to transportation at government expense.

Children born to a command-sponsored spouse are command sponsored at birth. However, the soldier must provide supporting documentation to update records and list baby as command sponsored. No EFMP screening is required. The soldier must only provide updated DD Form 93, birth certificate, proof of spouse command sponsorship and STP.

For children born in command to a non-command sponsored spouse, the soldier must meet tour requirements and, if applicable, custody requirements. The soldier must submit complete CS Packet, including DA Form 5888 (EFMP screening).

Children born to command-sponsored dependents other than spouse, e.g., grandbaby, are not eligible for command sponsorship unless they become legal dependents through separate action like conservatorship rights or ward. These children may be provided with medical care in accordance with Defense Department and service regulations.

A soldier who marries a local or third-country national may request command sponsorship, providing the soldier meets tour requirements. The soldier must have at least 12 months remaining on his or her overseas tour as of the date the family member arrives or the effective date of command sponsorship approval, whichever is later. The 12 month time on station requirement is non-waiverable.

Soldiers may apply for command sponsorship of family members they adopt while stationed in Europe. Soldiers must meet tour requirements but the requirement to have 12 months remaining in the overseas command after the date of adoption does not apply.

For single soldier pregnancy a conditional command sponsorship for the unborn child may be granted to receive housing allowances. The soldier is eligible to request conditional CS at the beginning of 3rd trimester (28 weeks). The soldier must submit PCS Orders, DD Form 93, STP and Physician’s Flight Memo (stating expected due date). After the baby is born, regular command sponsorship must be requested. For the first acquired dependent the soldier must meet tour requirements and submit a complete CS Packet (including DA Form 5888).

Dual Military CS can only be granted to one of the soldiers. If one of the soldiers separates from active duty, the soldier remaining on active duty must request command sponsorship for the one separating to stay overseas. The soldier must meet tour requirements and submit a complete CS Packet (including DA Form 5888) and DD Form 214. The 12 months’ time on station requirement does not apply. For a transfer of dependents both soldiers must be on active duty to transfer a command sponsorship among them. 

Both soldiers must submit a separate PAR request on IPPS-A. One soldier relinquishing CS and transferring to the other; and the other soldier requesting the transfer of CS. If eligible, no other supporting documentation is needed (only the two PAR requests). Once transfer is authorized, the soldier will receive a Command Sponsorship Memo. The soldier must update changes in DEERS and with Finance for COLA entitlements. Also, if the spouse relinquishing command sponsorship is separating, the soldier must notify this change to the Transition Office to not include the family member in the Separation Orders.

Custody

Family members must qualify as dependents according to the definition in the JTR, Appendix A. For situations involving custody or guardianship, only official, signed, court-ordered documents from a U.S. court (for U.S. citizens) or judge (for non-U.S. citizens) stating that the soldier or soldier's spouse is granted sole or primary physical custody of family member for a period of at least 12 continuous months. No Affidavit nor Power of Attorney will be accepted.

EFMP Screening

In accordance with AR 608-75, Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP), the Army must ensure that family members who are enrolled on EFMP (“Warranted”) with any special needs (medical or educational) can receive necessary care. Command sponsorship requests for EFMP warranted dependents will need approval determination from MRC-EUR to be sure that those services needed are available and will be provided on the assigned military community. The determination may take up to 30 days starting once the request is received by the MRC-EUR. The medical needs of family members will be reviewed before granting approval of any command sponsorship. Dependents will be screened to determine the existence of any special medical needs, before authorizing command sponsorship.

If a special medical need cannot be accommodated at the overseas location, command sponsorship will not be approved. The Medical Readiness Command, Europe is responsible for determining the adequacy of medical care. The EFMP screening (DA Form 5888) is valid for 12 months from the date signed by medical provider. If family includes members enrolled in the EFMP, the MPD will not process the request for movement to Europe until the United States Army Regional Health Command Europe, the Department of Defense Dependents Schools or both grant clearance and the Family Travel Section, IMCOM-Europe TS approves the request. The FTS must verify all requests for travel and transportation involving EFMP family members.

Family Travel Authorization

The soldier must request Family Travel Authorization for command sponsored dependents who are located outside of Germany. These type of orders will authorize the family members to travel after the sponsor arrives in the overseas station. Family travel is not authorized before a family travel authorization is issued (AER 55-46, para 7 and para 11; AR 55-46, para 2-11 and 2-12). Eligibility for dependent travel and transportation allowances is based on whether the individual is a dependent on the effective date of the permanent change of station order. If an individual is not a dependent when a soldier begins travel, then there is no authorization for travel and transportation allowances at government expense unless specifically authorized within the JTR (JTR, Ch. 5, para 050303B). 

For authorized secondary dependents, to qualify for space-required travel, DFAS must have approved a dependency determination before the effective date of the PCS orders. If a dependency determination is approved after the effective date of the PCS orders, only space-available travel is authorized (AER 55-46, para 13c (2)). Space Required deferred travel is authorized for eligible dependents on the effective date of the permanent change of station order. Space Available travel is authorized for “acquired dependents” (family member was not a dependent when travel begins). Family travel is only based on space availability (Space-A on the Rotator category 5) on the Army Mobility Command. The travel is not government funded. The soldier will bear all travel expenses and will not be reimbursed. The movement of any HHG, POV or unaccompanied baggage for family members to the overseas command will be at the soldier’s personal expense. Command-sponsored dependents will be entitled to transportation at government expense to the sponsor’s next (subsequent) PCS location. Travel must be completed within 60 days of availability date.

Command Sponsorship Checklist

The following documents must be attached to the Command Sponsorship PAR (mandatory):

• Command Sponsorship Digital Packet Checklist (completed and signed by S1/HR)
• DA Form 5888 (Soldier must complete screening through: https://efmp.army.mil)
• DD Form 93 (physical address listed (no PSC Box #); signed within 90 days)
• PCS orders & amendments
• STP (Soldier Talent Profile; most current)
• Marriage certificate (in English or translated into English)
• Birth certificate (for children only)
• Custody documents, if applicable:
  • Legal Custody Court order
  • Final Adoption Decree
  • Ward of the Court order
• Reenlistment or extension contract (if applicable, to meet regulatory requirements; 36 months tour and 12 months remaining on station)
• Spouse’s separation orders or DD Form 214 (if applicable, when request is for spouse who is separating from active duty)
• Family Travel (4001) Worksheet and Housing Memo/Leasing Agreement (only needed when family members are not in Germany and need to request Family Travel Authorization Orders)

Newcomers will need to log on to the ARMY CAREER TRACKER, Total Army Sponsorship Program (TASP) Module from a government computer and complete required information in order to help the gaining unit assign an appropriate sponsor.

Step 1: Assignment Notification

Within 72 hours of assignment “SPONSORSHIP" will appear in the left navigation panel. Additionally, you will receive an email and message in ACT notifying you of your assignment. Select “TRACK” from the left navigation, then click “MESSAGES” to view your Assignment Notification.

Step 2: Sponsor Assignment & Welcome Letter

Select “TRACK” from the left navigation the click “MESSAGES” to view your Sponsor Assignment and Welcome Letter. You must read read the message for ACT to track this action.

Step 3: Complete DA Form 5434

Select “SPONSORSHIP” form the left navigation, then click "DA FORM 5434"." Once a new form is opened, complete Sections 1, 2, 4 and 5. You will need to digitally sign the form with your CAC to complete this action. Once all fields are complete and have signed the form, click “SAVE.”

Step 4: Family Travel Status

If you have family members and are traveling overseas, this will notify you of the status of your Family Travel packet. You will receive an email and message in ACT notifying you as the status is updated.

Step 5: Complete Out-Processing Survey

Select “SPONSORSHIP” from the left navigation, then click “SURVEY.” Click "TASP OUT-PROCESSING SURVEY." Answer all the questions, and then click “SUBMIT.” Review the Completion Certificate, and print a copy by clicking “PRINT CERTIFICATE.”

Step 6: Complete In-Processing Survey

Select “SPONSORSHIP” from the left navigation, then click “SURVEY.” Click “TASP IN-PROCESSING SURVEY.” Answer all the questions, and then click “SUBMIT.” Review the Completion Certificate, and print a copy by clicking “PRINT CERTIFICATE.”

If your sponsor hasn't contacted you within a week after your online request, please call +49 (0)6111-43-587-1808 or DSN: 314-587-1808.