Fairchild AFB  Military and Family Support Center

If you are approaching a permanent change of station, or PCS, you may have questions about your upcoming move. As part of the Military and Family Support Center, the Relocation Assistance Program provides services and resources to help make this transition as smooth as possible. Below is a list of resources.

• PCS planning – Most relocation assistance programs offer counseling/consultations to assist in the moving process. Those making their first military move, those making their first overseas move or those with challenging or complex situations should contact their installation Relocation Assistance Program office as soon as possible for information and assistance.
• Plan My Move is an online tool that helps break the moving process down into clear, manageable steps for all family members. This Department of Defense relocation tool provides details about housing, transportation, finances, family and more.
• Military OneSource offers a variety of 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.
• Loan Closet – Loan Closet offers basic household goods while your personal property is in transit. Typical items include pots and pans, dishes, silverware, irons, ironing boards and infant or toddler car seats. Generally, towels and bed linens are not available, so these should be packed in your express shipment. This service varies by service and installation.
• Workshops and briefings – Workshops vary from installation to installation, but you may find classes on housing options, moving with children, moving with pets or general moving preparation and resources.
• Predeparture briefings – Briefings may be called Smooth Move or PCS Briefing and provide essential information about your next duty station. Briefings can be critical in setting you up for success during the transition to your next duty station.
• Settling-in services – Welcome Wagon services or local area tours may be a part of your installation’s settling-in services. Overseas arrival services may include introductory language classes and cultural awareness training.
• Foreign-born spouse support – Whether you have questions or concerns about immigration and naturalization, learning the English language or how to use local transportation, the relocation program provides assistance, classes and referrals. Services may vary by service and installation.
• Emergency assistance – From time to time, emergencies occur while moving. The Military and Family Support Center has the resources to provide emergency financial assistance and referrals.
• Authorized housing flexibility options – The 2018 National Defense Authorization Act authorized housing flexibility options for eligible service members in receipt of PCS orders within the United States. This includes possible extended stays in government housing and early moving opportunities. For additional information and eligibility considerations, contact your military personnel office. Please note that application of these policies may vary across services.
• Spouse Reimbursement – The 2018 National Defense Authorization Act allows each service branch to reimburse spouses up to $1,000 for relicensure and certification costs resulting from relocations or PCS moves. This includes moves that cross U.S. state lines, as well as OCONUS to stateside moves. See this Military OneSource article on Transferring Your Professional License for more information and specific service branch policies.

The Airman and Family Readiness Center staff is available to make your transition to Fairchild Air Force Base smooth and easy. Please call with any questions that your sponsor has not answered:
509-247-2246 or DSN 312-657-2246.

Right Start is a scheduled newcomer’s orientation program for military and civilian personnel, which focuses on welcoming you and ensuring a positive experience when beginning your tour at Fairchild. The orientation briefing will introduce newcomers to base agencies as well as local-area agencies. Spouses are highly encouraged to attend.

Installation Specific Information

Relocation services through the Fairchild A&FRC are available for inbound and outbound military and DOD civilian personnel and their family members. Individual/family appointments are available to address any relocation questions. Appointments may be in-person, by phone or by email. Call 509-246-2247 to schedule.

Inbound personnel may obtain most of the information online at our website. The letters normally added by the sponsor and the gaining unit are not available online. Family members who are relocating to the Fairchild AFB and the local area while their sponsor is deployed, on temporary duty assignment or on a remote assignment are eligible to receive these and many more services on base.

Child Care for PCS Program: The Air Force Aid Society pays for up to 20 hours of free child care per child for families with permanent change of station orders to FAFB, within 60 days of arrival or departure. Family Day Care homes are the authorized providers for the care. Certificates must be issued through the A&FRC.

Upon arriving at Fairchild AFB, all individuals will be required to in-process at Military Personnel Flight. They will assist with your in-processing and provide you with a Fairchild AFB checklist. Right Start is offered monthly and is mandatory for all active-duty inbound personnel and spouses are highly encouraged to attend. Topics include safety, orientation, winter driving safety, legal, recreation opportunities, education, employment and more. It’s held at the Education Center, Building 2380. If you have questions regarding in-processing, contact MPF at 509-247-4029.

MilitaryINSTALLATIONS and Plan My Move provide information for more than 250 installations worldwide, regardless of the branch of service.

The A&FRC provides the following regarding relocating: We hold Right Start monthly at the Education Center, Smooth Move once a month at the A&FRC and Defense Installation Messaging System/Sponsorship training quarterly. If you have any questions regarding these workshops, contact us at 509-247-2246.

One-on-one financial counseling is available in the following areas: budget, auto buying, Thrift Savings Plan investments, credit reports/scores, how to get out of debt and more.

Moving off base for those transitioning out of the dorms: Call to make a one-on-one appointment.

First duty station officers are required to make a one-on-one mandatory financial appointment with the A&FRC.