Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling  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.

JBAB has a loan locker available for your use where you can obtain items such as dish packs, tables and chairs, futons on a temporary basis for 30 days while you await the delivery of your household goods. 

The Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling Newcomers' Orientation, "Right Start", is conducted every Wednesday. Contact the Military Family Support Center to sign-up for Right Start, 202-767-0450 or DSN 312-297-0450.

Installation Specific Information

While moving is always stressful, your stress can be drastically reduced if you take full advantage of the information, education, and personal assistance provided to you by the Relocation Program. This is the place to find answers and get referral to other installation resources as well as assistance with in-transit emergencies. The most important thing you can do to ensure a smooth move is to start planning early using the many Relocation Assistance program services and tools available.

Individual PCS Planning -- Most relocation programs offer one-on-one consultation for anyone needing assistance. In particular those making their first military move, first overseas move, or those with challenging and complex situations such as special needs family members or financial problems should call the Relocation Program for an appointment.

Military Installations and Plan My Move -- For managing and planning your move, use these two DoD sponsored web-based relocation tools with information on over 250 installations worldwide. You can estimate expenses, find the forms necessary for housing and household goods, keep a calendar of events and take other necessary actions to ensure a successful move.

Loan Closet -- Basic household goods items are available to borrow while waiting for your personal property pre-departure or upon arrival. The typical items in stock include: pots and pans, dishes, silverware, irons, ironing boards. Generally, towels and bed linens are not available, so these should be packed in your hold baggage.

Workshops and Briefings -- The classes offered vary from installation to installation but you can generally find classes on buying, selling and renting smart, budgeting and finance, moving with children, general moving preparation and many other moving related topics.

Pre-departure Briefings -- Sometimes called Smooth Move or PCS Briefings, you and your spouse will want to attend for sure. These briefings provide essential information that can prevent you from making uninformed and costly decisions before your move.

Settling-in Services -- These may include welcome wagon services, local area tours with childcare often provided, or basic household items to use until your goods arrive. Overseas arrival services may include introductory language classes and cultural awareness training.

Deployment Support -- The Military & Family Support Center assists unit family readiness groups, Key Spouse, and Ombudsman programs during the entire deployment cycle.Support includes services for special needs, classes on deployment preparation, managing finances, helping children adjust, family separation, return and reunion, and information on resources available locally and on-line.

Foreign Born Spouse Support -- Whether your question concerns immigration and naturalization, learning the English language or how to take local transportation, the Relocation Program provides assistance, classes and referrals.

Emergency Assistance -- From time-to-time, emergencies will occur while moving, the Military & Family Support Center has the resources to provide emergency financial assistance and referrals.

Transition Assistance – This is a mandatory program available to assist personnel and family members when they separate from the military. The Military & Family Support Center will establish your individual transition plan and refer you to all of the installation and community resources necessary to complete a successful transition.

The Military Family Center is your first point of contact for all relocation-related inquiries. The Center is there to assist you with your move and in getting settled into the local area. You may reach us by calling the Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling Military Family Support Center at 202-767-0450 or DSN 312-297-0450.

Child Care for PCS

The Air Force Aid Society's Child Care for PCS program can provide Moms and Dads the opportunity to have their children cared for while taking care of the myriad details involved in a PCS move--packing, out-processing, in-processing, attending briefings, local house hunting, etc. Up to 20 hours (per child) of childcare in an on-base, licensed family child care home may be available. Families may use the 20 hours of childcare within 60 days before the family's departure from a base and 60 days after arriving at the new base. This service is open to all Air Force ranks on a space available basis.

Basic household goods and items are available to borrow while waiting for your personal property pre-departure or upon arrival. The typical items in stock include: pots and pans, dishes, silverware, irons, ironing boards, tables, chairs, and air mattresses. Generally, towels and bed linens are not available, so these should be packed in your hold baggage.