Sponsorship

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.

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.

A sponsor is someone from your new unit or command who is assigned to assist you with settling into your new location. Sponsorship is an official duty.

Air Force

Your sponsor or gaining unit will provide you with an electronic Sponsor Packet with extensive information on Joint Base Charleston and the community. If you do not hear from your sponsor, you can contact Military & Family Readiness Center-Air Base for assistance at (843) 963-4406 or DSN 312-673-4406. Your Sponsor should meet you upon arrival, but in the event they do not meet you upon arrival, the 24-hour check-in point is the Inns of Charleston (843) 963-8000 or DSN 312-673-8000.

Upon receiving Permanent Change of Station orders, contact the local base Postal Service Center and complete an AF Form 624 for a change of address. The temporary mailing address for Joint Base Charleston is Rank/Name, Postal Service Center 1 Box 8000, General Delivery, Joint Base Charleston, SC 29404-5361. If needed, your sponsor can and should assist you.

Navy

If you have not been assigned a sponsor or have not been contacted by your sponsor, you may request one by contacting your new command. Each separate tenant command is responsible for its own sponsorship program. For more information on requesting a sponsor, contact the administrative offices for your command (see Major Units Listing tab).

All mail should be forwarded to your gaining command's address. Your sponsor can make arrangements for holding your mail until your arrival. If you have questions regarding sponsorship or the process contact Military & Family Readiness Center-Weapon Station at (843) 794-7480 or DSN at 312-794-7480.