Check-in Procedures

CROSSING THE CANADIAN BORDER BY CAR: Active-duty personnel and Family Members listed on the Active-Duty members official PCS orders are encouraged to review the Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA)https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/menu-eng.html for up-to-date information on land border crossings.

Temporary Lodging Facility Reservations: Reservations for lodging should be made as far in advance as possible to ensure temporary lodging facilities are available upon arrival. All travelers should be aware that space is extremely limited each year from April 1 through September 30 because of the high volume of PCS/TDY traffic. Reservations can be made 24 hours a day, seven days a week by calling Lodging at 907-552-2454. Please remember that you must be signed into your unit and off Permissive TDY while residing in Lodging to be reimbursed for the cost. It is recommended to book with Lodging as soon as you get orders. Please contact for TLA requirements.

If the accompanied member and their family do not have a confirmed reservation, they may be issued a Statement of Non-Availability to go off base and obtain a hotel/motel in Anchorage. The lodging office has a referral list of hotels/motels that are within the Temporary Lodging Allowance costs and can also provide listings of off base hotels/motels that accept pets.

Pets: JBER TLF has a limited number of pet rooms. No more than 2 pets are allowed and only cats and dogs. Pets must have a health certificate not older than 30 days, be secured in a owner-provided kennel while unattended in guestrooms and during housekeeping or maintenance service, and be leashed at all times when outside the guestroom. Pet fees apply ($10 per night per room, not per pet). Pet owners are responsible to adhere to all policies issued at check in. If Lodging is booked, ask for a list of off post Kennel facilities and/or local pet friendly hotels.

Command Sponsorship: Concurrent travel means you have permission, from your unit commander, to bring your spouse and family with you at the same time you travel to Alaska. You must have all your authorized family members listed on your PCS orders to do concurrent travel. To arrive in Alaska without approved concurrent travel creates a huge financial burden on you. GET CONCURRENT TRAVEL PERMISSION BEFORE YOUR PCS ORDERS ARE PUBLISHED AND PRINTED. Contact your losing installation's local Military Personnel Flight or Military Personnel Division (S1), Relocations/Outbound Assignments section.

Army - If you have not been contacted by your Sponsor or do not have a Sponsor, call the 11th Airborne Division Reception Staff Duty at (907) 903-4281. Please note that if you are calling DSN use 317 instead of 907 and all other numbers are the same. 

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.

You need command sponsorship permission to have family members accompany you with full military benefits during your assignment.

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 ARMY contact your S1 or military personnel office.

If you are AF and get married enroute, please contact MPF to complete the following:Update DEERS and provide DD-1172
    Marriage Certificate
    AF Form 965 (does not apply to FTA)
    AF Form 1466

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 inprocessing and be scheduled for the mandatory inprocessing briefs. Newly arrived Airmen and Guardians are required to attend the one day Joint Newcomers Orientation, Second day Airforce/Space Force Newcomer brief and Third Day Finance travel voucher briefing.

For 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 encouraged to attend as well. It is held they every Monday (excluding Federal Holidays, PACAF Family Days, and Army DONSA Days). 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