Relocation Assistance

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.

Fort Irwin's Newcomer's Orientation is held Quarterly in the classroom of Bldg 109 and starts at 9:00 a.m. This briefing is mandatory for active duty and optional, but highly encouraged for civilian employees and family members. For questions or more information contact NTC Replacement at 760-380-8422.

Lending Closet - ACS has a Lending Closet to save you money. The Lending Closet is located in Bldg 109 and is open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. for issues and returns. We have a wide range of items to loan for up to 60-days, call or come by to view what we have before you spend money on items you won't need once your HHG arrive.

Critical Installation Information

Soldiers with Exceptional Family Members should contact the Fort Irwin EFMP Program Manager at 760-380-3698, DSN 312-470-3698 before coming to Fort Irwin. Families not enrolled in EFMP but who have special medical or educational needs should contact their local Army Community Service EFMP manager.

Hand carry the following documents: Personnel Files, Finance Records, Leave Form, Medical Records, Birth Certificates, Shot Records (Children & Pets), Marriage Certificates, Employment Records (Spouse), Resumes (Spouse), Education Records, Transportation Documents (Bills of Lading, Inventory), Custody Papers, Divorce Decrees, and Proof of Car Insurance.

You must go to Family Housing, Bldg. 4553 Tippecanoe, to be placed on the waiting list for privatized housing. For more information call 760-386 HOME (4663). Individuals seeking housing in Barstow should contact the Housing Referral Officer at 760-380-3576.

Installation Specific Information

Fort Irwin is located about 30 miles from Barstow, California and is a somewhat isolated assignment.

Whether you are departing or PCSing into Fort Irwin, you will find that having the proper paperwork and orders will take a lot of the hassle out of making the move. If you are in-bound to Ft. Irwin, you may want to consider the following:

If you are traveling with a family, make reservations at the Landmark Inn Hotel or another motel in Barstow prior to arrival. Note: If you have a pet the Landmark Inn Hotel does not allow pets.

If you take regular medications, bring at least a month's supply so a refill will not be immediately necessary.

Fort Irwin has several organizations that are dedicated to helping you have a smooth move and getting you settled into the community. Take time to learn the resources Fort Irwin has to offer, how to use those you need, and join those you are interested in. If you have questions that are not answered in here, contact the Army Community Service Relocation Readiness Program office inbound and outbound moves.