Fort Lee  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.
• 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.

Fort Lee Army Community Service Relocation Readiness Program offers welcome packets, a mandatory overseas briefing, newcomers orientation, relocation counseling, sponsorship support and a Lending Closet. A copy of orders arriving or departing Fort Lee and military identification card are required to access the Lending Closet.

The ACS RRP is the best place to receive relocation assistance and information. It is designed to make transitioning into our community an easy and pleasant experience for all newly-arriving and departing service members, Department of Defense civilians and their families.

Our Lending Closet provides basic household items for military families making a permanent change of station and awaiting the arrival of their household goods. Items for loan include irons, ironing boards, pots, pans, dishes, silverware, toaster ovens, coffee pots, strollers, card tables and chairs, air mattresses and microwaves. Linens are not provided.

Contact your local ACS as soon as you receive orders to request a Military OneSource information booklet on your new duty station or view your gaining installation information on the Military OneSource website.  

Also, contact your new duty station and request a welcome packet be sent to you, so that you can become familiar with your new surroundings and get an idea of what to expect.

Make an inventory of possessions and valuables. Take care of necessary medical and dental appointments. Notify schools and arrange to pick up your children's records. Have pets checked by your vet and update vaccinations and inoculations. Keep a copy of these records.

Organize personal records such as birth certificates, marriage licenses, divorce decrees, insurance papers and all orders. Hand carry all personal records. Do not pack these items in your unaccompanied baggage or your household shipment.

New customers of Columbia Gas of Virginia and Dominion Virginia Power (but not Prince George Cooperative) may have deposit fees of up to $200 waived by joining the Utility Deposit Waiver Program. Active-duty soldiers who PCS to Fort Lee must request the waiver within ten calendar days of hookup. The UDWP may be used only once. Call 804-734-7156 for details.

Individuals separating from the military are to report to Building 3400 between 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Monday – Friday. All individuals separating from the military should visit the Transition Assistance Office in Building 3400 or call 804-734-6971.

Individuals must be receiving an honorable discharge or general discharge under honorable conditions. Civilians involved in a reduction in force are also eligible.

Hope Now Alliance Program

Hope Now is an alliance between U.S government counselors, mortgage companies, investors and other mortgage market participants to assist homeowners who may not be able to pay their mortgages. This alliance will maximize outreach efforts to homeowners in distress to help them stay in their homes and will create a unified, coordinated plan to reach and help as many homeowners as possible. The members of this alliance recognize that by working together, they will be more effective than by working independently.