Sponsorship

To help prepare sponsors for success, the Sponsorship Program provides training and access to important information and resources that can help newcomers master their move. The Sponsorship Program helps sponsors fulfill their responsibilities, which may include:

• Contacting the service member and family with an introductory email
• Staying in contact with the service member throughout the moving process
• Sending information about the new community and duty assignment, responding to questions and providing information about resources
• Confirming transportation and lodging arrangements
• Helping with post office arrangements
• Meeting service members and family members upon arrival
• Going with service members to unit check-in point
• Introducing service members to the Military and Family Support Center and loan closet, if it’s available
• Familiarizing service members and families with the installation and key locations, like the commissary

Note: Responsibilities may vary based on service-specific policies and guidance. Make sure to check with your service branch for sponsor training requirements.

Overall, the Sponsorship Program aims to:

• Provide newcomers with a sense of belonging
• Ease the transition for inbound service members or civilians and their family members
• Increase productivity of service members and loved ones
• Help newcomers make informed decisions
• Cultivate new friendships
• Improve morale

For more information on the Sponsorship Program, contact your installation Military and Family Support Center.

Sponsorship is also available for youth. Installation youth sponsorship programs help military-connected youth make a successful transition to a new community. Primarily directed to preteen and teenaged youth, installation youth programs/centers provide information and materials on programs and services available at their new location. Where available, youth can exchange emails, talk on the phone or chat online with other youth. The youth program staff at your new installation can offer more information on installation youth sponsorship programs.

You can also contact your installation School Liaison Program office for information about school-based youth sponsorship programs such as Anchored4Life and Student2Student. These peer-to-peer programs help your student adjust to and navigate their new school.

If your child would like to become a youth sponsor, contact your installation School Liaison Program or youth program/center.

Soldiers facing a permanent change of station to Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall should contact their gaining unit to request a sponsor. If the soldier does not know his/her unit, he or she can contact Army Community Service at 1-800-477-9571, or  DSN 312-426-0026. All military personnel assigned to U.S. Army Garrison should contact the S-1 at 703-696-8875/8174 or DSN 312-426-8875/8174. Military personnel assigned to the 3d U.S. Infantry, traditionally known as "The Old Guard," should contact the regimental replacement detachment at 703-696-7696 or DSN 312-426-7696.

Forwarding mail while en route

Personnel wanting to forward their mail while en route, can go to "P.O. Boxes Online" and searching by zip code 22211. Personnel can find a P.O. Box at Fort Myer, determine the box size that is available and, with a valid credit card, can rent the box for six months to a year. Fees are based on a six-month term and determined by box size. Fees can range from $36-$56. Customers also are charged a $2 key deposit. Once an available box is found, customers can indicate box size and complete the online application. The printed application form and two forms of identification are needed for the customer to pick up the keys to the P.O. Box. Customers must be 18 years of age to rent a P.O. Box. Soldiers may also choose to notify their gaining unit and request their mail to be sent and held there.

Temporary Quarters

There is a temporary lodging facility available on the installation. Due to privatization, the room rate may change based on the type of room and time of year. For reservations or rate information, call 703-696-3576/3577, DSN 312-426-3576/3577. If lodging is unavailable on the installation, there are several other installations as well as a large number of hotels in the area. A listing of area hotels and temporary lodging facilities is maintained by the ACS Relocation Office and can be obtained by contacting the office at 703-696-0156/0026 or by e-mail at usarmy.jbmhh.asa.mbx.acs-relocation@mail.mil