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.

Contact the Central Dormitory Management Office no later than 30 days prior to the inbound member's Report Not Later Than Date to secure a room. If the inbound arrival or RNLTD date changes, coordinate revised dates with CDMO.

Sponsorship

Your unit sponsor should serve as your primary point of contact during the reassignment process to ensure your arrival here at Dover Air Force Base is as smooth as possible.

If you are relocating to Dover AFB, make sure you request a sponsor from your gaining unit. A sponsor will send you a sponsor package which will contain extensive information about Dover AFB and the local community. If you are not contacted by your sponsor, contact your first sergeant at your gaining unit. If you are unsuccessful contacting your gaining unit, contact the Military and Family Readiness Center for assistance at 302-677-6930 or DSN 312-445-6930. If you arrive at Dover AFB after normal duty hours, the Dover AFB Lodging, the Eagle's Rest Inn, serves as the 24-hour arrival point. You can contact the Eagles Rest Inn at 302-677-2840/5989 or DSN 312-445-2840/5989, or visit the lodging website.

Military members must notify correspondents of changes of address before leaving their present duty assignment. Upon receiving PCS orders, contact the local postal service center and complete an Air Force Form 624 for change of address. The temporary mailing address at Dover AFB is: rank and name, General Delivery, Dover AFB, DE 19902. For additional information, the PSC can be reached at 302-677-6197 or DSN 312-445-6197. To ensure your mail is held and not forwarded from Dover AFB after 15 days, you must call the PSC at Dover at 302-677-6197 or DSN 312-445-6197, and give your name, social security number and expected date of arrival. Upon arrival, provide the PSC with a copy of your orders.