Fort Leavenworth  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 briefings are offered quarterlyat the Army Community Service (ACS) Center as part of in-processing. We highly encourage family members to attend. We provide information on housing, childcare, education, schools, maps, directions and local community information.

Our Lending Closet is fully stocked with basic kitchen essentials free of charge for 30 days. Items such as pots, pans, irons, coffee makers, sleeping mats, tables and chairs and baby items are available. For further information contact the ACS Relocation Readiness Program at 913-684-2800, DSN 312-552-2800.

Installation Specific Information

The Army Community Service (ACS) Relocation Readiness Program (RRP) office is here to help you and your family adjust to Fort Leavenworth and then prepare you for your PCS when its time to leave. The intent of RRP is to minimize the negative effects of frequent relocation on readiness and retention as well as on service members and their families. Experience has shown that if a young family has a successful first move, later moves will be positive as well. No matter how well you planned, emergencies do happen.

We strive to provide you with coordination of base relocation activities, information and services. The RRP office is available to help you avoid some of the many problems you may have to deal with during your move. We can offer help with information on your next assignment to include financial entitlements, programs for Special Needs Families, housing, schools, medical and dental services, employment for spouses and much more. What should you do in case of emergency while you are traveling? First, make sure to hand carry important documents i.e. marriage and birth certificates, passports, immunization records, property and automobile titles and insurance information, citizen papers if any, copies of PCS orders, savings and checking account numbers, household goods documents and medical records are just a few of the many important items to have with you not in storage.

The American Red Cross is always available for emergency aid where ever you might be. Contact the nearest chapter (phone numbers are usually listed in the white pages of local phone books). Keep the phone numbers of your gaining unit and your sponsor with you. The Adjutant General Division provides a full range of transition services to include quarterly and individual transition counseling and Retirement Services.

The Transition Point assists by referral to the Soldier for Life Program and the Civilian Personnel Advisory Center for post-military job assistance. Local appointments are available through unit Adjutants. Personnel separating from locations other than Fort Leavenworth may coordinate directly with the Transition Point or Retirement Services Officer for appointment availability. Transitioning personnel should report to the Transition Point/Retirement Services Officer with a finalized Installation Clearance Checklist, Separation/Retirement Orders, leave form, and all service records and documents obtained during installation clearance.

ACS Information and Referral is the place to start for any kind of information. They maintain an extensive resource file for on and off post services. Call for information on community organizations and recreation opportunities for individual and family life activities.