Check-in Procedures

A sponsor is someone from your gaining unit who is assigned to assist you in settling into your new location. This person will be knowledgeable about the local community and the installation available to assist you and your family for at least two weeks post arrival.

A sponsor's duties include:

• Contacting you and your family by e-mail upon learning of your assignment to the installation.
• Following up with a personal phone call after contact has been made, text if agreed upon as a form of communication.
• Sending information about the area which you may require, or putting you in touch with the resources on the web and at the installation that provide current, complete and up-to-date information.
• Answering any questions which you or your family may have, providing the proper resources to answer those questions.
• Confirm transportation and lodging arrangements.
• Assisting with obtaining a Post Office Box for your mail (your PCS orders, DOD ID # and personal email will be needed for the Post Office to assign a box).
• Meeting you and your family upon arrival.
• Accompanying you to your check-in point for the unit.
• Introducing you to the Military & Family Readiness Center/ACS and lending locker.
• Housing office for temporary furniture.
• Providing essential service locations such as commissary, exchange, gas station, and bank.
• Being available when you arrive at your installation to meet you, show you around, and help you through in-processing.

Air Force - If you have not been contacted by your sponsor, please contact your Commander Support Staff at your incoming unit or the Military & Family Readiness Center for assistance. 

Army - If you have not been contacted by your sponsor, please contact the U.S. Army Alaska Sponsorship Program Manager at 907-384-3068. If you do not have an assignment yet you may contact USARAK Enlisted Strength Management 907-384-0795, USARAK Officer Strength Management 907-384-2607 or Military Processing Division In-processing 907-384-0425. Please note that if you are calling DSN use 317 instead of 907 and all other numbers are the same.

For All Branches of Service: The Military & Family Readiness Centers offer the PCS Alaska: Fly, Float, or Drive in a virtual platform. Please contact 907-551-2206 or 907-552-4943 for more information.

Command sponsorship and orders will be needed to have family members included for PCS with full military benefits during new assignment.

ARMY contact your S1 or military personnel office.

If you get married before you move, you must inform your commander and follow the procedures exactly as you receive them. The military will not pay for your spouse's, or any other dependents', travel and housing if proper procedures are not adhered.

If you are AF and get married enroute, please contact MPF to complete the following:

• Update DEERS and provide DD-1172
• Official Marriage Certificate (or license with the state file number)​
• AF Form 965 (does not apply to FTA)
• AF Form 1466
• Spouses SSN​
• A photo ID for the spouse (driver's license, passport, etc.)​
• An additional form of ID is required to be issued a dependent ID card

MPF Information

If you are on assignment with the U.S. Air Force/Space Force

Within 24 hours upon arrival, Airmen and Guardians are required to check-in with their unit Command Support Staff  (CSS) to begin in-processing and be scheduled for the mandatory in-processing briefs. Newly arrived Airmen and Guardians are required to attend the one day Joint Newcomers Orientation and Active Duty only on Tuesday to complete the Finance travel voucher.

First duty station enlisted personnel must attend the First Term Airman's Course.

If you are on assignment with the U.S. Army

For Soldiers flying to Ted Stevens International Airport in Anchorage: Before you fly to Anchorage, let your Sponsor know your date/time of arrival so they can pick you up from the Airport. As soon as you land, call your Sponsor. If you cannot reach your Sponsor or do not have a Sponsor, call the 11th Airborne Division Reception Staff Duty at 907-903-4281. This phone is answered 24/7.

All Soldiers arriving to JBER need to report directly to the 11th Airborne Division Reception, located in Building 55 Chilkoot Ave, Basement Room 011,  JBER AK 99505. This is a 24/7 sign in point.  If you need assistance or have questions, call 907-903-4281.

Barracks rooms are available for Soldiers ranks E-1 through E-5 who are traveling without dependents. Soldiers ranking E-6 through E-9, O-1 through O-6, and WO-1 through WO-5 must make reservations with the Temporary Lodging Facility (TLF), North Star Inn, at 907-552-2454.

All Soldiers utilizing Temporary Lodging Allowance (TLA) MUST sign in to the 11th Airborne Division Reception in order to be reimbursed TLA expenses.   Failure to sign in with 11th Airborne Division Reception will cause you to pay for lodging and food expenses on your own and you will not be reimbursed.

For All Branches of Service

The Joint Newcomers Orientation is mandatory for all newly arrived Active Duty, spouses are encouraged to attend as well. It is held they every Monday (excluding Federal Holidays, PACAF Family Days, and Army DONSA Days, or if there is delayed reporting). Active Duty will receive the information on how to attend this orientation when they in-process.

If you do not receive any information:

• Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, and Coast Guard personnel need to contact the Military and Family Readiness Center/ACS at 907-552-4943 or 907-384-1517.