Sponsorship

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.

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.

The Sponsorship Program is a very helpful tool for service members and their families relocating to a new duty station. To request a sponsor at your new duty station, approach your Unit Sponsorship Coordinator who will send a message with all your pertinent information to your new command and the gaining activity will assign a sponsor. You may also discuss sponsorship issues with your Information, Referral, & Relocation Specialist. Your sponsor will get in touch with you by phone or e-mail and answer your questions. They will show you around at your new duty station. A sponsor's assistance can make all the difference in helping newcomers settle in as quickly as possible.

To forward your mail, you may go to your local post office and for a small fee (starting at $48 for six months) establish a post office box at the Oceanside Post Office. This service can also be done online via the US Postal Services website. You can also contact the UPS store located at the Mainside Ct, Bldg 15101, Camp Pendleton 92055. They have a limited availability of PO Boxes for rent. Their phone number is 760-385-4721