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.

The Eielson Air Force Base Airman and Family Readiness Center has a variety of programs to assist you with your move. You may also find many of these programs at your current base. Planning ahead is one sure way to reduce stress during any permanent change of station and your local Relocation Assistance Program is here to help. Don't forget to plan your drive up well in advance; services along the Alcan Highway are limited and hotels fill quickly.

Loan Locker:

The Loan Locker has items available for check-out throughout your tour, as needed. For furniture items, contact the Military Housing Office.

Sponsorship:

Once your gaining organization has received confirmation of your PCS, they will assign a sponsor to you. Your sponsor should provide you with a sponsor package that has information about the base and local community, including housing, schools, employment and other information that they thought you would need. Your sponsor should also provide you with information about your gaining organization, including the name of your commander and first sergeant. Keep your sponsor informed during your PCS. If your arrival plans change, be sure to contact your sponsor. Your sponsor will be responsible for welcoming you to the base and your organization. Your sponsor will assist with pre-arrival arrangements, answer questions, meet you personally upon arrival and ensure your move to Eielson goes smoothly and that all of your in-processing needs are met. If you have not received communication from your sponsor prior to leaving your losing duty station, please connect with the A&FRC at 907-377-2178 and we will happily assist you with establishing your initial communication.

Child Care for PCS:

Twenty hours of free child care is provided by the Air Force Aid Society. This time can be used as your household goods are being delivered to keep the children from being under foot. Care is provided in Family Child Care Provider homes and is available on departure or arrival to Eielson.

Pioneer Start:

Pioneer Start/Newcomer’s Orientation is a Wing orientation for all active duty, government civilians, and family members and is held every month. Times and location are subject to change, depending on the Wing calendar, please contact your CSS for scheduling. Pioneer Start is a mandatory briefing for military and newly hired DOD civilians. Family members are encouraged to attend. Pioneer Start will provide essential information about the Wing mission and history of Eielson AFB, winter safety and survival, tips for acclimating to Alaska, as well as an information expo supported by many on- and off-base sponsors, agencies and support organizations.

Passports and Visas

Please ensure that service members and dependents have the required documentation necessary for travel into Canada prior to final out-processing. A no-fee passport is no longer required for PCS travel to Canada for eligible family members but is highly encouraged. Please note that children under age 16 transitioning to/from Alaska may enter the U.S. or Canada by land or sea using one of the following documents:

• Any type of U.S. passport
• Original or copy of U.S. birth certificate and a copy of the service member’s orders
• U.S. naturalization certificate
• Consular report of birth abroad

For additional information, please contact Military Personnel Flight at 907-377-2851 or
DSN 317-377-2851.

Relocation Assistance

Please note the process for in-processing:

1. Report to your Squadron's CSS for in-processing.
2. If there is anything on their checklist that requires MPF that your CSS can not take care of, MPF is located on the 3rd floor of Amber Hall, 354 Broadway Ave