Fort Buchanan  Military and Family Support Center

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 Relocation Readiness Office is located at 225 Davis Street. Upon arrival and on the first business day you should contact this office for important information about Ft Buchanan, Puerto Rico, and about the many programs that they have to offer. Office hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday to Friday, Closed on Saturday, Sundays and Federal Holidays. One important service we have is the Lending Closet, designed to help relocating military personnel with emergency items, such as kitchen utensils, iron & ironing board, play-pen, coffee makers. As part of our newcomer's welcome and cultural awareness training we offer a variety of information (History, Maps, Shopping, Local magazines).

Puerto Rico's weather tends to be warm and humid most of the year. Light clothing is a must. Availability of household appliances, clothing, supplies, food, etc. is similar to any other large city in the U.S. Most products come from the U.S. mainland. Spanish is the main language of the Puerto Rican community, however English is spoken in most large department stores, restaurants, government offices, hotels, and any place that caters to tourists. On post, English is the official language. The ACS Information and Referral Program assists Soldiers and Family members by providing information regarding military and Civilian community resources and by serving as a liaison between Families and social service agencies.

Relocation Assistance

The Relocation Readiness Program provides assistance to military and civilian employees and their families prior to, during, and after PCS move. Newcomers receive a welcome packet, an orientation on DFMWR and ACS services. The Lending Closet with basic household items is available. Please make ACS one of your first stops at Fort Buchanan and let us become connected to you and your family. Army Community Service is open Monday through Friday, from 8:00 am. to 5:00 p.m. For directions or for more information call ACS Information and Referral at (787) 707- 3804 or the Relocation Readiness Program at 787-707-3682.