Fort Benning  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 Military and Family Support Center relocation assistance office as soon as possible for information and assistance.
• MilitaryINSTALLATIONS and Military OneSource – For managing and planning your move, you may want to take advantage of these Department of Defense-sponsored online resources and tools, including the 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.
• Pre-departure 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 Army Community Service (ACS) Relocation Program and Lending Closet are located at 7117 Baltzell Ave. Bldg 7, the hours of operation are Monday through Thursday 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. and Friday from 10:00 am to 4:30 pm. You may call for directions or for more information at 706-545-4485. Welcome Packets are available, to include maps and information for on-post and community programs/services are available.

The Relocation Readiness Program offers the Newcomers Orientation every Wednesday, this is a great opportunity to learn about Fort Benning and the surrounding communities. On post organizations and services are there to provide you with the most current services and programs available. Lending Closet has a variety of items to lend while you wait for your household goods to arrive. For more information on what is available and documentation needed to use the lending closet please call 706-545-4485.

Installation Specific Information

The Army Community Services (ACS) Relocation Readiness Program offers comprehensive programs and services to Soldiers and Families arriving at Fort Benning.

Lending Closet -- The lending closet provides basic housekeeping items for temporary loan to incoming and outgoing families and in other cases determined appropriate. Items include basic kitchen equipment, high chairs, car seats, pack-n-plays ironing boards, irons. Initially, the items are loaned out for 30 days and if additional time is required due to delays in household deliveries, requests for extensions are granted in 2-week increments. Orders to Fort Benning with assigned Unit POC  and an ID cards required to check items out. 

Newcomers Orientation -- On Post Organizations and Services are there to provide you with the most current services and programs available. It is a great opportunity to get familiar with all Fort Benning and the surrounding communities have to offer!  Every Wednesday at 9:00 am at ACS Auditorium. 

Relocation Counseling -- Relocation counseling is provided on an individual or group basis. It is available to both inbound and outbound personnel and with a primary focus on pre-departure counseling and relocation planning for personnel preparing for their first permanent change of station (PCS) move or first overseas PCS.

Sponsorship Training -- Sponsorship training is provided by unit request only.

Citizenship Study Group -- This Study Group is provided in an informal setting, offers information on U.S. government structure and history needed for the citizenship test, United States Citizenship and Immigration  Services (USCIS) interview, and American Customs for Spouses and Family Members. This class also refers students to Citizenship counseling if they need help with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USClS) forms or information for obtaining U.S. Citizenship. In order to maximize the understanding of USClS test and interview a strong-to-intermediate comprehension of English is required. ESL information will be given to students.