Fort Detrick  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.

Newcomer's Orientation is held monthly April-September during the summer months then quarterly during the winter (November and February) in the Community Activities Center, Building 1529 Porter Street.  Relocation Readiness Program (RRP) offers a Lending Closet located in the Community Support Center, that is stocked with household items that newly arrived soldiers and civilians may borrow. The RRP staff provides on-going one-on-one in-processing Monday - Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. to newly arrived personnel to aid and assist with relocation and settling in services.

Installation Specific Information

The Fort Detrick Army Community Service (ACS) Relocation Readiness Program (RRP) office is here to help you and your family settle in the Fort Detrick community and also prepare you for your PCS when it's time to relocate.

The ACS RRP is the best place to receive relocation assistance and information, as it is especially designed to make the transition into our community an easier and more pleasant experience for the newly-arrived Soldier and Family members. Experience has shown that if a young family has a successful first move, later moves will be positive as well.

After you arrive at Fort Detrick, visit the ACS office and find out what's happening and when. The Newcomer's Orientation is mandatory for active duty and new civilian employees.

The Fort Detrick Lending Closet has basic household items to loan for those in moving status. In fact, there are prepackaged household kits available for loans of up to 30 days. On a case-by-case basis, items may be extended longer than 30 days.

The RRP offers pre-move and post-move briefings, overseas briefings and multi-cultural classes. Family members and Soldiers wanting to improve their language skills may inquire about English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESL) classes offered through the local community college. Spouses needing citizenship information may also contact the RRP.

For Families with a loved one living separately because of mission requirements, there is a Hearts Apart (Waiting Families) program. Please contact your RRP office, 301-619-2197/6364 for more information.