Relocation Assistance

Your Military and Family Support Center provides relocation assistance to help make PCS moves as smooth as possible. Resources include:

• PCS planning: Most relocation assistance programs offer consultations to help you with the moving process. If this your first military move, your first time moving overseas or you have challenging or complex circumstances contact your installation Relocation Assistance Program as soon as possible for support.
• Plan My Move: An online Defense Department relocation tool that provides you with customizable checklists and links to helpful resources for the tasks ahead.
• Military OneSource: A website and call center that offer 24/7 support for 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. For comprehensive moving resources and information, including Defense Personal Property log in details, visit Moving Your Personal Property.
• Workshops and briefings: Workshops vary by location. You may find classes on housing options, moving with children, moving with pets and more.
• Predeparture briefings: These sessions provide essential information about your move and may be required for some populations.
• Special needs: If you have a child or family member enrolled in the Exceptional Family Member Program, contact your installation EFMP-Family Support office to assist you.
• Settling-in services: Look for welcome programs or local area tours that may offered. Overseas services may include introductory language classes and cultural awareness activities.
• Foreign-born spouse support: Assistance includes information and referral to resources such as immigration and naturalization.
• Emergency assistance: Sometime emergencies occur while moving. The Military and Family Support Center has the resources to provide emergency financial assistance, as well as information and referrals.
• Authorized housing flexibility options: Eligible service members with PCS orders may be entitled to flexibilities such as extended stays in government housing and early housing eligibility. Contact your military personnel office for more information.
• Spouse licensure reimbursement: Your service branch may reimburse spouses up to $1,000 for relicensure and certification costs resulting from relocations or PCS moves. See this Military OneSource article Transferring Your Professional License for more information and specific service branch policies.

Once you have in-processed at the orderly room, you will come to the Military and Family Readiness Center to sign up for the monthly Newcomers’ program. If you are in your first term, you will also meet with the personal financial manager. While at the M&FRC, you will be given a tour of the facility, including the Loan Locker and the family and computer resource rooms that are available to make your transition easier.

If you have any questions about our programs or facilities, contact the M&FRC Monday- Thursday 8 a.m.-4 p.m. and  Friday, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. (Central European Time) from the U.S. at 011-49-2451-9151-2372, via DSN from the U.S. at 314-458-4015, from Europe at 0049-2451-9151-2372 or via DSN from Europe at 314-458-4015.

Installation-Specific Information

The Geilenkirchen M&FRC provides up-to-date information and services concerning relocating. This program provides a Newcomers’ and overseas orientation, welcome packets, Smooth Move, base resources brochures, orientation walking tours and individualized counseling, as well as information and referral.

Newcomer's Orientation – The Newcomer's Orientation is held on select Thursdays each month and is held at the M&FRC, Bldg. 78. The program's focus is on practical information for moving into the Geilenkirchen Tri-Border community, German customs and courtesies, how to sort your trash and how to set up your utilities. The program will introduce you to many American unit commanders and representatives of offices that provide services to Americans stationed at Geilenkirchen. The medical group provides a mandatory Medical Right Start in the afternoon of Newcomers day.

Beyond the Gate -- The M&FRC offers walking tours, as well as periodic trips to nearby events, cities and markets to help you orient yourself in the Tri-Border area.

The Loan Locker -- Items are provided for families on permanent change of station orders while they await the arrival of their household goods or are waiting to PCS to their next duty station. Such items include pots and pans, dish packs, irons and boards, small kitchen appliances, fans, extension cords and transformers. No linens or pillows are available.

Items Not to Ship -- Electrical current differences in Germany are likely to cause stateside electrical appliances to work improperly. Members are discouraged from bringing 110-volt household appliances since German electrical outlets operate on 220 volts and 50 cycle. Most 110v household appliances are likely to require a transformer to operate and will increase your overall utility usage and cost. In addition, large household furniture such as waterbeds and oversized sofas can create problems due to smaller-than-average rooms and/or stairwells. Note: U.S. light fixtures can usually be used here with an adaptor as long as you use a European light bulb.

Centralized Furnishing Management Office -- The Furnishing Management Office used by U.S. military and Department of Defense members assigned to Geilenkirchen is located at USAG Benelux Brunssum, Netherlands. All personnel who are authorized a housing allowance (basic allowance for housing, overseas housing allowance and living quarters allowance) are entitled to be loaned furniture. Personnel are authorized a refrigerator, stove, washer, dryer, kitchen cabinet and wardrobe (one per family member) for the duration of their tour.

Temporary furniture (dining room table and chairs, couches, easy chairs, table lights, dressers or chest of drawers and coffee tables) may be kept for 90 days or until your household goods arrive, whichever comes first. Extensions may be requested but must be approved by the furnishings manager at USAG Benelux Brunssum.

Newcomers will be required to bring a copy of their orders and their rental agreement for their first visit to the USAG Benelux Brunssum Furnishings Management Office (FMO). Call 011-31-045-534-0156 or 0153 or 0154 to set up an appointment.