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 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.

The Army Community Service Relocation Readiness Program is housed at 9810 Lee Road. RRP staff will do their best to help make your move to Columbia a smooth one. We offer Newcomer’s Orientations for soldiers and families, sponsorship classes and English as a Second Language as well as citizenship and immigration resources. 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 or 312-734-5256. Due to COVID-19, all services are by appointment only and Lending Closet services are provided curbside.

Lending Closet hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Installation-Specific Information

The RRP 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 when 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 two-week increments. Orders to Fort Jackson and an identification card is required to check items out. We do not provide bed linens, pillows or towels. Hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Newcomer's Orientation -- The Newcomer’s Orientation is held on the first Thursday. Starting time varies and will be provided upon in-processing at Fort Jackson. The orientation is mandatory for all soldiers and required for all civilians arriving at Fort Jackson. Spouses are encouraged to attend. This will be a great opportunity for spouses to receive first-hand information about the valuable available resources on and around Fort Jackson. Please note, everyone in attendance will be required to wear a face mask and adhere to safe social distancing practices. Additional information may be obtained by calling Army Community Service at 803-751-5256.

Relocation Counseling -- Relocation counseling is provided on an individual or group basis. It is available to both inbound and outbound personnel. Those preparing for their first permanent change of station 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 and Youth Services. To find out more about youth sponsorship, go to the youth sponsorship section of C&Y Services or call 803-751-3053.

In/Out-Processing -- The RRP 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.

Classes/Workshops -- The RRP office provides pre-move and post-move briefings, welcome packets, Lending Closet items, Phase II Levy "Overseas" briefings, citizenship and immigration services, ESL resources, and information on all military installations worldwide.

Citizenship -- Study guides and flash cards are available.

Hearts Apart Program -- The Hearts Apart Program is a support group and a forum for families of soldiers who are deployed, on extended tours of duty 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 RRP, call 803-751-5256 or DSN 312-734-5256.

The Army Career Assistance Program 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 and the Job Assistance Center. The TAO prepares an Individual Transition Plan to assist the client with all available transition services and makes referrals based upon the client's needs and desires.

The TAO and the JAC help 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 automated Army Employer and Alumni Network, Defense Outplacement and Referral System, America's Job Bank, and executive search system entries.