Joint Base Charleston  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.
• 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.

If you have PCS orders for JB Charleston, visit the Family Center Relocation Assistance Office at your current installation for relocation information and planning assistance. There you will receive entitlement information from the experts and answers to your questions. Your local Personal Property office will also be good source of information.
Settling in services at the JB Charleston includes:

• Individual Consultation
• Spouse Orientations (Spouse intro to JB Charleston, Military Spouse 101 and Heart Link)
• Employment Assistance for Spouses and members transitioning out of the military (separatees and/or retirees as well as their family members)
• Multi-media resource room with Internet, email access
• Local area information (Maps, brochures, e-Sponsor Package, etc.)
• Child Care for PCS (AFAS) (20 hours of free child care)
• A Lending Closet (household goods until yours arrive)

In addition to the standard resources, our Lending Closet consists of microwaves, small appliances, and pre-made Dish Packs.  Personnel stationed at JB Charleston may borrow items for up to 30 days; however, we are flexible with the length of time that you borrow the items when needed. For example, if you need to borrow the items for longer than 30 days because you will not have your items within the 30 days we can make an extension. 

No matter how many moves you've made, always ask for a sponsor. It is always good to have a contact at the gaining base, if not for you, for your spouse. The relocation staff offers a full-service, customer-friendly environment in which to make this your best move yet. No matter how well you've planned, emergencies do happen. Stay in touch with your sponsor and keep them informed of your travel plans.

Before the movers arrive, do a thorough inventory of your household goods - when the movers arrive there is too much going on to attempt to do it then. Make sure you have all your important papers with you and not packed with your household goods.

Relocation Assistance

Air Force

There are a multitude of resources and services offered by the Airman and Family Readiness Center and other base agencies that will help you to make a smooth transition. The Loan Closet is stocked full of household items available for checkout until your own arrive. At the Airman and Family Readiness Center, newcomers can receive vouchers for up to 20 hours of free child care funded by the Air Force Aid Society. Spouse employment and education assistance is available for spouses seeking employment or continuing their education. The Discovery Center has computers with Internet access as well as a copier, fax, scanner and typewriter. Budgeting assistance and the Air Force Aid Society are available for unexpected expenses due to PCS. For more detailed information, call the Airman and Family Readiness Center at 843-963-4406 or DSN 312-673-4406.

All spouses who are new to the area are encouraged to visit the Airman and Family Readiness Center in Bldg. 500 to get a personal orientation. A spouse orientation, Spouse Intro to JB Charleston, is held on the fourth Wednesday of every month from 9:00- 11:00 at the AFRC. Child care options are available. Spouses may also attend the inprocessing "Quick Start" briefing along with the active duty member. This will be scheduled after arrival at JB Charleston.

Navy

The Fleet and Family Support Center Information and Referral Specialist can help with general information, phone numbers, and points-of-contact for civilian and military resources such as the Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP), child care, employment, housing, immigration, food resources, and financial planning. The Fleet and Family Support Center is your connection to information on Charleston area bases and communities. We invite you to visit the Fleet and Family Support Center in Bldg 755 to discover all we can offer you. Military Spouse 101 workshop is held every other month and is an invaluable tool to learn military protocol, the many benefits, and challenges of the military lifestyle. Reach us at 843.794.7480 (DSN 312-794-7480).

FFSC has a limited loan closet. Kits include appliances (coffee pot, iron, and toaster), and kitchen basics loaner kit (dinner service and cutlery for 4, pots and pans, bowls, etc.) A copy of your PCS orders and a valid military ID enables you to borrow items until your household goods arrive. Permanent party Navy personnel can also borrow items from the Loan Closet at the Air Base.