Joint Base Lewis-McChord  Military and Family Support Center

Your Military and Family Support Center provides relocation assistance to help make PCS moves as smooth as possible. Resources include:

• PCS planning: Most relocation assistance programs offer consultations to help you with the moving process. If this your first military move, your first time moving overseas or you have challenging or complex circumstances contact your installation Relocation Assistance Program as soon as possible for support.
• Plan My Move: An online Defense Department relocation tool that provides you with customizable checklists and links to helpful resources for the tasks ahead.
• Military OneSource: A website and call center that offer 24/7 support for 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. For comprehensive moving resources and information, including Defense Personal Property log in details, visit PCS & Military Moves.
• Workshops and briefings: Workshops vary by location. You may find classes on housing options, moving with children, moving with pets and more.
• Predeparture briefings: These sessions provide essential information about your move and may be required for some populations.
• Special needs: If you have a child or family member enrolled in the Exceptional Family Member Program, contact your installation EFMP-Family Support office to assist you.
• Settling-in services: Look for welcome programs or local area tours that may offered. Overseas services may include introductory language classes and cultural awareness activities.
• Foreign-born spouse support: Assistance includes information and referral to resources such as immigration and naturalization.
• Emergency assistance: Sometime emergencies occur while moving. The Military and Family Support Center has the resources to provide emergency financial assistance, as well as information and referrals.
• Authorized housing flexibility options: Eligible service members with PCS orders may be entitled to flexibilities such as extended stays in government housing and early housing eligibility. Contact your military personnel office for more information.
• Spouse licensure reimbursement: Your service branch may reimburse spouses up to $1,000 for relicensure and certification costs resulting from relocations or PCS moves. See this Military OneSource article Transferring Your Professional License for more information and specific service branch policies.

Your JBLM Adventure Newcomers welcome and interactive bus tour is held the 2^nd and 4^th Tuesday of the month from 0930-1130. Sign in begins at 0900 in the Children’s Museum. No registration required. Ride along as key points of interest on the installation are identified and key support and social agencies brief on available resources. The tour is open to all DOD I.D. Cardholders. Children of all ages are welcome. For more information, contact the Relocation Readiness team at 253-967-3633 or visit us on the web at https://jblm.armymwr.com/programs/RELO

Soldiers and Airmen may visit the Lending Closet where you may obtain a 30 day loan of household items such as sleeping mats, coffee maker, dishes and much more.  Please bring a copy of your orders and military I.D.  There are 2 locations to serve you - DPFR Waller Hall and DPFR McChord. For more information contact the Relocation Readiness Program JBLM Main staff at 253-967-3633 or the JBLM-McChord Field staff at 253-982-2695. Visit us on the web at https://jblm.armymwr.com/programs/RELO

Installation Specific Information

There are numbers of other agencies on base that manage various aspects of your relocation. The Housing Services Office, Transportation Management Office, the Military Personnel Section, and your unit of assignment, are some examples of the many agencies involved in the relocation process. The Service member and Family Readiness Center is the focal point for relocation assistance program (RAP) which provides current information, services, consultation, and education concerning relocation as it relates to the military life cycle.