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.

Dix

Soldiers request a Sponsor by generating a DA Form 5434 (Sponsorship Program Counseling and Information sheet),  from the Army Career Tracker (ACT), https://actnow.army.mil

McGuire

A sponsor will be assigned prior to departing your losing base. If no sponsor has been assigned, please contact your gaining CSS office or the Military & Family Readiness Center for assistance. Let your sponsor know when you are arriving and by what means. If arriving through nearby airports, you will have to rent a vehicle or pay for transportation service if your sponsor is unable to pick you up. If arriving during duty hours, report to your unit CSS office. They will set-up the appropriate in-processing appointments.

To begin receiving mail at JB MDL before you have an actual place to live, you may use this address:

YOUR NAME, c/o General Delivery, PSC Box 3000, 2907 Tuskegee Airmen Avenue, McGuire AFB, NJ 08641-5000.

Lakehurst

Lakehurst has a sponsor coordinator whose job it is to designate a sponsor. A sponsor's responsibility is to meet newcomers, escort them through the base and to make the transition as easy as possible. Contact the command sponsor coordinator at 732-323-2223 or military administration at 732-323-2656. Inbound service members should expect a letter or email from their sponsor. The command sponsor coordinator will forward a message and a Welcome Aboard Package.

Service members in transit may forward mail to the member's receiving department within the command or to the sponsor. Service members may also forward mail temporarily to their home of record.

Youth Sponsorship

Sponsorship is also available for youth! JB MDL's 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.

Families with children may also want to visit Military Kids Connect, an online community for military children and youth. The site offers games, videos and links to teen-led installation tours.