Fort Jackson  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 listing 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 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.
• 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 — These briefings may be called Smooth Move or PCS Briefing and provide essential information about your next duty station. These 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.
• Emergency assistance — From time to time, emergencies occur while moving. The Relocation Assistance Program office has the resources to provide emergency financial assistance and referrals.
• Authorized housing flexibility options – The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018: Section 604 authorized housing flexibility options for eligible service members in receipt of PCS orders within the United States, including 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.

Programs and services may vary across the installations.

The Army Community Service Relocation Readiness Program is housed at 9810 Lee Road. The Relocation Readiness Program staff will do their best to help make your move to Columbia a smooth one. We offer newcomers orientations for Soldiers and families, citizenship classes, sponsorship classes, and English as a Second Language and Citizenship and Immigration resources are provided. We also have a lending closet full of household items including pots, pans, dishes, cooking utensils, flatware, mats, tables and chairs. You will need a copy of your orders and, if you are unable to come in, your spouse can pick up the household items with a copy of your orders. More information on Fort Jackson and the surrounding Columbia/midlands region can be obtained by stopping in, or by calling 803-751-5256 312-734-5256.

Lending Closet hours of operation are Monday - Friday, 0730 - 1600.

Installation Specific Information

The Relocation Readiness Program (RPP) office at Fort Jackson offers services for newly arriving Soldiers and their Family members. Program services which include the Lending Closet are specially designed to make the transition into our community an easier, more pleasant experience.

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 pots and pans, dishes, silverware, irons and ironing boards, toasters, coffee-pots, sleeping mats, cribs, high chairs, child car seats and other items. Initially, the items are loaned out for 30 days, if additional time is required due to delays in household deliveries, requests for extensions are granted in 2-week increments. Orders to Fort Jackson and an ID card is required to check items out. We do not provide bed linens, pillows or towels. Hours of operation are Monday - Friday, 0730 - 1600.

Newcomer's Orientation -- The Post Newcomer Orientation is held on the 1st Thursdays at the NCO Club, 5700 Lee Road and includes attendance at BCT Graduation. Starting time varies and will be provided upon in-processing Fort Jackson. The orientation is mandatory for all Soldiers and required for all civilians arriving at Fort Jackson.  Soldiers who bring their spouses will get a 3-day pass through their chain of command.  Spouses in attendance, with or without their service member, will receive a welcome gift from ACS.  In addition, a 50% off meal coupon will be provided to all attendees. Free on-site childcare is provided by contacting CYS at 803-751-4875 to make reservations as soon as possible.  Additional information may be obtained by calling ACS at 751-5256.

Relocation Counseling -- Relocation counseling is provided on an individual or group basis. It is available to both inbound and outbound personnel. Personnel preparing for their first permanent change of station (PCS) move or first overseas PCS are encouraged to make an appointment or stop by the office at Building 5450, Room 223 or by calling 803-751-9770/1124.

Sponsorship Training -- Training for unit sponsorship trainers or designated sponsors is available upon unit request. Welcome packets are available for sponsors to send before arrival. Youth Sponsorship training is conducted by Child & Youth Services. To find out more about Youth Sponsorship, go to the Youth Sponsorship section of Youth Services or call 803-751-3053.

In/Out-Processing -- The RPP office is an in/out-processing point at Fort Jackson where detailed information on ACS programs and services are provided. All Soldiers must in-process through ACS. ACS in-processing is conducted Monday - Thursdays promptly at 0730 (except 1st Thursdays). Note: Traffic is very congested on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Wednesday is Family Day and Thursday is BCT Graduation. Please plan accordingly.

Classes/Workshops -- The RRP office provides for the following: pre-move and post-move briefings, welcome packets, lending closet items, Phase II Levy "Overseas" Briefings, Citizenship & Immigration services, ESL resources, and information on all military installations worldwide.

Citizenship -- A Citizenship & Immigration office is on-post on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month, 1300-1600.  Appointments are required by calling 803-751-5256.  Additionally, Citizenship "Immigration 101" workshops are conducted quarterly by an officer to assist with the process.  This is a free service to all ID card holders.

Hearts Apart -- The Hearts Apart Program, is a support group and a forum for Families of Soldiers who are deployed, on extended TDY, or on unaccompanied tours of duty to be able to network with others going through the same. Children are encouraged to participate.

To contact the Relocation Readiness Program, call 803-751-5256 or DSN 312-734-5256.

The Army Career Assistance Program (ACAP) assists active duty, Reserve and National Guard soldiers, civilians and their family members in the transition from military to civilian life. The two main functions of this program are the Transition Assistance Office (TAO) and the Job Assistance Center (JAC). The TAO prepares and Individual Transition Plan (ITP) to assist the client with all available transition services, and makes referrals based upon the client's needs and desires.

The TAO and the Job Assistance Center helps the client with the total job search process. The JAC conducts monthly seminars and workshops where the client learns about resume writing; translating military experience into civilian terminology; marketing and networking skills; how to dress and prepare for job interviews; job offers and salary negotiation; and other job search skills.

The JAC has a job announcement bulletin board, and both a manual and an automated reference library made up of veteran's training and labor market information from each of the 50 states. The JAC offers an automated Army Employer and Alumni Network; an automated Defense Outplacement and Referral System; an automated America's Job Bank; and an automated Executive Search System.