Fort Leonard Wood  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 offers a variety of relocation assistance services and resources to eliminate the stress associated with relocating. Soldiers processing into Fort Leonard Wood attend a Community Orientation brief as part of their in processing through Directorate of Human Resource. The orientation is for newcomers arriving to the installation. It is held every Thursday at Building 470, Room 2224/2225, Dillard Hall Replacement Avenue, starting at 7:45 a.m.

Also available is the Lending Closet, which has basic household items available for soldiers with families arriving or leaving the installation while their household goods are in transit. Please bring a copy of assignment orders and an identification card. Our Hearts Apart Program provides resources to assist soldiers and their families during a geographical separation or during deployments. For more information, call the Relocation Assistance Program at 573-596-4816 or DSN 312-581-4923.

Installation Specific Information

Upon arrival of Army personnel to Fort Leonard Wood, your first stop will most likely be the Soldier Service Center (Dillard Hall, Building 470). The center is designed as a one-stop in/out processing center. Listed below, you will find room numbers for the offices you may need.

Army Community Service is located at the Mel Carnahan Army Community Service Center, Building 486. 573-596-0212.

A Community (Newcomer's) Orientation is held every Thursday at Building 470 Dillard Hall, 7:45 a.m. - noon. Designed for newly arrived soldiers, Marines, sailors, airmen, their spouses and new civilian personnel. All military (colonel and below) who have recently arrived are required to attend.

The Child Development Center can be utilized during the orientation. Reservations must be made in advance and paid upon pickup. Some registration paperwork must be filled out in the office, Building 470, Room 1126, prior to the orientation. A current immunization record must be presented at the time of registration. If your child has special needs, it is important that we are informed in advance to ensure that the CDC, or School Age Services, is able to provide adequate care for your child. Parents are required to complete a child/family orientation at the CDC or SAS prior to utilizing hourly child care.

Call ACS for details regarding the weekly bus tour.

The Fort Leonard Wood Relocation Readiness Office offers the following services: