Joint Base Charleston  Base Essentials

For Air Force personnel

Upon arriving at Joint Base Charleston base introduction information can be provided at either base gate or at the base lodging office. This information covers key facilities and phone numbers a newcomer should find helpful. The Inns of Charleston (lodging), located at 214 Arthur Drive, is the 24-hour arrival point. Those arriving after normal duty hours, on a holiday, or weekend should report there to sign in.

Newcomers arriving on weekdays between 9 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. must report to their units prior to reporting to the Military Personnel Section Customer Support Section (Building 503, Room 112) for in-processing on the day of arrival. The following documents are required for in-processing at the MPS CSS: your in-processing package (large sealed envelope), your in-processing worksheet (from gaining unit), Air Force Form 330 and a copy of your orders. The Commander's Support Staff in your gaining unit will schedule you for the next [mandatory] Newcomer Orientation workshop (held on the 3rd Thursday of each month). Newcomers arriving after normal duty hours, on a holiday, weekend or after 3:30 p.m. each business day, must turn in their in-processing package at the MPS CSS on the next duty day after arrival and after visiting their gaining unit. Your sponsor or unit designee will assist you with completing required paperwork related to in-processing.

As mentioned previously, Newcomer Orientation briefings are held on the third Thursday of each month. The Commander's Support Staff in your gaining unit will schedule your attendance and coordinate with the Military & Family Readiness Center. Newcomer Orientation consolidates all of your mandatory briefings in one workshop.

Your sponsor will be a big help in pointing you in the right direction or taking you to key locations until you are settled into your new community.

If authorized, request approval for permissive temporary duty travel for house hunting at your unit's LeaveWeb point of contact office. Your AF Form 988 will be filled out at this time; however it must be approved by your gaining unit commander prior to beginning leave. Your gaining unit can grant up to eight days.

You must in-process at the MPS Customer Support Section prior to taking permissive or ordinary leave.

For Navy personnel

Please contact your gaining command to make arrangement for a sponsor to meet you for checking in during and after working hours. Naval Support Activity Charleston's Quarterdeck is not manned 24/7. If you are unsure of where you should "check in" for your new command at Naval Weapons Station, Joint Base Charleston, call the Base Quarterdeck for directions and guidance as to proper check-in procedures. They can be reached 24 hours a day by calling 843-794-7565/7642/4462 or DSN 312-794-7565/7642/4462. If reporting to a tenant command, please refer to the Major Units Listing tab for their contact information to learn of their procedures.

If authorized, request approval for permissive leave for house hunting while in-processing. Your request will be filled out at this time; however it must be approved by your gaining command prior to beginning leave. Your gaining unit can grant up to eight days.

Your sponsor will be a big help in pointing you in the right direction or taking you to key locations until you are settled into your new community. Review the article regarding Sponsorship and how you can request one assigned to you.

Important papers should not be packed with your household goods or hold baggage. Plan to take the following items with you: identification cards, PCS orders, passports, leave authorizations, shot records for you and your family, medical records, all documents pertaining to the shipment of household goods including your personal inventory and/or pictures of your possessions, appraisals for valuable items, last Leave and Earnings Statement, Power of Attorney (check expiration date), wills, bank books, state and federal tax records, deeds and mortgages, professional licenses, car registration, spouse resume and last pay statement, list of stocks and bonds, Social Security cards, school records for children, letters of credit for utility waivers, original birth and adoption records and naturalization records. Keep your sponsor, Key Spouse (Air Force personnel), quarterdeck (Navy personnel), and Command Ombudsman (Navy personnel) phone numbers with you at all times. Communicate freely and as needed.

It is in your best interest to make temporary lodging arrangements as soon as possible. Temporary lodging at Foster Creek Villas, Naval Weapons Station, has only one pet friendly villa. Reservations can be made by calling 843-794-2120. Make kennel arrangements for pets if you will be staying in the military lodging system or hotels or motels that are not pet friendly. Lodging on the air base is available at the Inns of Charleston.

Reservations can be made in advance by calling 843-963-8000 or DSN 312-673-8000. If on-base lodging is not available, lodging can provide a non-availability letter and list of off-base hotels. If needed, please remember your sponsor can and should assist with making your lodging reservations.

If you get married before you Permanent Change of Station, you must inform your commander and follow the procedures exactly as you are given them. The military will not pay for travel and housing of your spouse if you do not follow proper procedures. Please contact your gaining unit/command.