Fort Belvoir  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.

Contact the Relocation Readiness Program as soon as you receive your PCS orders so you can obtain information about your new post, such as housing, medical services, community, installation, schools, jobs and more. The Army Community Services (ACS) Lending Closet has household items available for temporary use on a first come first serve basis. A Newcomer's Orientation is held the first Monday of every month at the Barden Education Center, Building 1017, from 9:00 - 11:00 a.m. If the first Monday is a holiday, the briefing will be held the following Monday. All newly arriving personnel (both military and civilian) and their families are strongly encouraged to attend. Once a month, ACS offers a Spouse Orientation in the Housing Community Centers. For more information about either orientation or the relocation program call 703-805-3436/5058.

Need A Sponsor?

U.S. Army Garrison Headquarters Battalion, (703) 806-5748/5659 or DSN 656-5748/5659.

Military personnel in-processing to units other than the garrison Headquarters Battalion should contact their units directly prior to arrival on post. Individuals who are not sure of the correct contact information may contact the garrison Military Personnel Division for assistance at 703- 805-5583, or Bldg 213, 5815 20th Street, Fort Belvoir.

Newcomers Information

The Fort Belvoir Newcomers' Briefing is held every first Tuesday after the 10th of each month for all new incoming military and civilian personnel assigned or living on post. For time and location please contact the ACS Relocation Program at 703-805-5058.

This is a valuable opportunity for all new soldier and their family members to meet the Garrison Commander and key staff members to receive information about the post.

A video is shown to explain the mission and show the different organizations and services. Tabletop displays are set up with lots of handouts and resource materials and light refreshments are available.

If you have arrived on Fort Belvoir within the last 60 days and have not attended the newcomers briefing, please plan to attend and find out what you may have been missing.

Installation Specific Information

The Fort Belvoir Relocation Program offers the following relocation programs and services to assist soldiers and families with a move.

A Lending Closet which loans basic household goods for up to 14 days at a time. The inventory includes pots and pans, tables and chairs, dishes, irons, ironing boards, Sleep Mats, car seats, cribs, etc. Please note that bed linens, blankets, pillows, or towels are not available. The lending closet is located in ACS, Building 200, 9800 Belvoir Road (18th and Belvoir Rd), Fort Belvoir, VA 22060 and is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Welcome Packets which provide information on post and the surrounding area. Condensed welcome packets are mailed to personnel PCS'ing to Fort Belvoir. However, once you arrive, be sure to stop by ACS to pick up a full welcome packet.

MilitaryINSTALLATIONS is the official Department of Defense (DoD) web site for reliable Quality of Life information designed to help troops and their families, leaders and service providers. Tools and custom plans to put you in control of a smooth move can be found here at Plan My Move. If you are unable to access that website due to security reasons, you may contact your local ACS center or the Fort Belvoir ACS and we would be happy to download the packet and mail it to you.

The Relocation Readiness Program also offers the following classes and services:

• Sponsorship Training
• Overseas Orientations
• Waiting Spouses Support Groups
• Pre and Post move counseling

For more information or assistance, please contact the Fort Belvoir Relocation Office at (703) 805-5058 or DSN 655-5058 or e-mail requests at relocation@belvoir.army.mil