USAG Japan, Zama  Base Essentials

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.

Families with children may also want to visit Military Kids Connect, an online community for military children and youth. The site offers games, videos and links to teen-led installation tours.

Incoming soldiers and civilians should request a sponsor by submitting a completed DA Form 5434, Sponsorship Program Counseling and Information Sheet. A sponsor will be assigned within 10 working days upon receipt of the DA Form 5434. For more information, see the Major Unit Listings.

Most newcomers will arrive at Narita Airport, Haneda Airport or at Yokota Air Force Base. Usually, the sponsor or another representative of the unit will meet the newcomers at the airport, escort them to the base, arrange for lodging and assist them through the in-processing stage. During COVID-19 safety postures, be sure to follow the guidance received from your sponsor.

A P.O. box can be assigned once PCS orders are received so that newcomers can start forwarding their mail. Please contact your sponsor for assistance setting up a P.O. box.

Army Community Service offers Japan-specific sponsorship training bi-monthly to all individuals who are assigned as sponsors. This training provides valuable information to sponsors so that they can best facilitate a smooth move for incoming personnel and is offered in person and via MS Teams. Additionally, all who attend the Japanese-specific sponsorship training receive a sponsorship card that can be exchanged for a free round-trip ticket on the MWR shuttle bus for the purpose of meeting incoming personnel.