Relocation Assistance

Your Military and Family Support Center provides relocation assistance to help make PCS moves as smooth as possible. Resources include:

• PCS planning: Most relocation assistance programs offer consultations to help you with the moving process. If this your first military move, your first time moving overseas or you have challenging or complex circumstances contact your installation Relocation Assistance Program as soon as possible for support.
• Plan My Move: An online Defense Department relocation tool that provides you with customizable checklists and links to helpful resources for the tasks ahead.
• Military OneSource: A website and call center that offer 24/7 support for moving information and resources. Learn more about PCS basics and download this fact sheet 7 Steps to Make Your Household Goods Move a Smart Move. For comprehensive moving resources and information, including Defense Personal Property log in details, visit Moving Your Personal Property.
• Workshops and briefings: Workshops vary by location. You may find classes on housing options, moving with children, moving with pets and more.
• Predeparture briefings: These sessions provide essential information about your move and may be required for some populations.
• Special needs: If you have a child or family member enrolled in the Exceptional Family Member Program, contact your installation EFMP-Family Support office to assist you.
• Settling-in services: Look for welcome programs or local area tours that may offered. Overseas services may include introductory language classes and cultural awareness activities.
• Foreign-born spouse support: Assistance includes information and referral to resources such as immigration and naturalization.
• Emergency assistance: Sometime emergencies occur while moving. The Military and Family Support Center has the resources to provide emergency financial assistance, as well as information and referrals.
• Authorized housing flexibility options: Eligible service members with PCS orders may be entitled to flexibilities such as extended stays in government housing and early housing eligibility. Contact your military personnel office for more information.
• Spouse licensure reimbursement: Your service branch may reimburse spouses up to $1,000 for relicensure and certification costs resulting from relocations or PCS moves. See this Military OneSource article Transferring Your Professional License for more information and specific service branch policies.

Moving overseas requires careful attention to detail in planning and ensuring that you have all of the right information about every aspect of your move. For Yokosuka, there is an extensive list of things you must consider, ranging from the small size of off-base housing to appliances, television, radio, driving, passports and visas. It is essential that you connect with your local relocation program specialist before you leave. Develop a detailed plan, request a sponsor and ensure that you are fully prepared well before your departure date. When you arrive, you are required by Commander Fleet Activities Yokosuka to attend Yokosuka's Area Orientation Brief/Intercultural Relations training. This combined class is offered weekly Tuesday through Thursday, except when a federal holiday falls during the week. Email FFSCinfo@us.navy.mil to register. The class is mandatory for all newcomers in accordance with CFAY and Commander Naval Forces Japan instructions. Representatives from around the base will talk about policies, procedures and benefits associated with living in Japan, and local experts will discuss cultural issues and adjusting to your new home. For more relocation assistance, please contact Fleet and Family Support Center at DSN 315-243-3372, the international number at 011-81-46-816-3372 or by email FFSCinfo@us.navy.mil.

Many times when you are relocating to a new area you arrive before your household goods do. FFSC Yokosuka offers a Hospitality Kit which is similar to Loan Closet stateside. The Hospitality Kit offers you basic kitchen essentials. Kits are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Think ahead when planning your express shipment. Please see the Loan Closet section for more information. The Yokosuka Housing Welcome Center provides families with loaner furniture until their household goods shipment arrives. No need to worry about heavy lifting because the Welcome Center will arrange drop-off and pick-up of the loaner furniture.

Installation Specific Information

Relocation to any overseas-duty assignment requires much pre-planning and, as necessary, family cooperation and involvement. Children are particularly affected by the stresses and changes involved with a major move, and their needs must not be overlooked. All family members should become active players in the relocation effort. Even single sailors need to be aware of their needs and expectations when ordered to an overseas assignment.

We cannot stress enough how important is it to request a sponsor from your gaining command. Your sponsor will be your eyes and ears in Yokosuka and will assist in a smooth transition to the Land of the Rising Sun. If you haven't been assigned a sponsor yet, please see the major unit listing to request one.

Please contact the school liaison officer at SLOYokosuka@us.navy.mil to sign-up for the Youth Sponsorship Program.

Make an appointment with your local FFSC Work and Family Life educator for individual planning tips and assistance. At Yokosuka Navy Base, primary relocation assistance and referral is available at the FFSC. If you are interested in finding out more about Yokosuka, check out their electronic Welcome Aboard Package online.

The Newcomer's Program at FFSC offers a series of required workshops that you are mandated to attend. It includes AOB and ICR training (day two for a half day) to become familiar with Yokosuka Naval Base and Japan.

COMNAVFORJAPAN Instruction 1740.5 and COMFLEACTYOKOSUKA Instruction 1740.3C both state that "Attendance at AOB/ICR is mandatory for all newly-arrived Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) sponsored personnel, including adult family members permanently assigned within the Yokosuka area. Additionally, attendance at AOB/ICR is required prior to personnel being issued a driver's license (USFJ Form 4EJ or OF Form 346)." Paragraph 3.a.3 of the CFAY instruction modifies this mandate by providing the following exemption: "...personnel previously assigned to permanent duty in mainland Japan within the last five years are required to attend only the AOB and Driver's Safety portions of the training... ."

Other programs that FFSC offers during your initial period of adjustment are Enjoying Japanese Food at Home, Family Employment Readiness Program, Stress Management and more.

Ask our Work and Family Life educators which program(s) can assist you best during your visit.

Your installation Work and Family Life educators can help you with:

Determining your permanent change of station allowances and entitlements

Overseas tour PCS class

Getting help with planning your move

Obtaining information on your new location

There are certain documents and records that you need to bring for your check-in processing. Do not pack the following items in your household goods shipment: copies of orders, family entry approval letter, passports, dental and medical records and school records.

Contact your Yokosuka Housing Referral Office representative who will assist you in locating, contacting and communicating with rental agencies for off-base housing. You can put your name on the waiting list for on-base housing as well.

Inquire at the Personal Property Office about the status of your inbound household goods and make arrangements for delivery once you have found a rental house. During delivery of your household goods, tell the movers where you want your things to be placed. Carefully check your belongings and note in the inventory any missing or damaged items for future claim.

Will you be transitioning from the military at the end of your tour in Japan? The time to start making transition plans is now, before you leave the states. Visit your local Transition Assistance Office for separation information prior to your departure.

After your arrival in Japan, stop by the Yokosuka Transition Assistance Office, located at the Fleet Rec Bldg 3008 3/F Rm 337, to continue the process toward a successful transition. FFSC's transition staff can assist you with career planning, resume preparation, job search skills and much more. For more information, contact FFSC - TAP Office at DSN 315-243-9630, internationally at 011-81-46-816-9630, by email FFSCinfo@us.navy.mil or visit the FFSC Yokosuka Facebook page.