Joint Base Pearl Harbor - Hickam  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 Military and Family Support Center relocation assistance office as soon as possible for information and assistance.
• MilitaryINSTALLATIONS and Military OneSource – For managing and planning your move, you may want to take advantage of these Department of Defense-sponsored online resources and tools, including the 7 Steps to Make Your Household Goods Move a Smart Move.
• Loan Closet – Loan Closet offers basic household goods while your personal property is in transit. Typical items include pots and pans, dishes, silverware, irons, ironing boards and infant or toddler car seats. Generally, towels and bed linens are not available, so these should be packed in your express shipment. This service varies by service and installation.
• 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.
• Pre-departure 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.

Ensure member and/or family members have the required passports and/or visa prior to final out-processing. Member and/or family members are not allowed to final out-process without the required passports/visas in hand for themselves (if applicable) and/or family members. Members electing the accompanied tour will not be permitted to out-process without having the required passports/visas in hand for themselves (if applicable) and/or family members.

These actions are necessary to prevent unforeseen hardships to the military members and their families. Therefore, as a last reiteration, it is essential, members do not out-process without having the appropriate passports/visas for themselves (if applicable) and/or family members.

Services for Outbound Personnel

Outbound Services -- Individual service members and families are offered relocation counseling and details tailored to their specific needs and concerns. Most helpful is our Smooth Move workshop, which is offered monthly. Subject matter experts from each department involved in the PCS process cover information vital to a well-planned move. Subjects include Relocation Stress, Shipment of Household Goods and POV, Financial Considerations, TRICARE, Outbound TLA and Basic Entitlements and Allowances. The speakers are also available for questions concerning your own specific circumstances. Moving overseas presents unique challenges and opportunities.

Departure TLA (Air Force only) -- Before departing in compliance with a PCS order, please be sure to check in with the Housing Management Office, located at Hickam Communities, Bldg # 6500 to file your TLA before you depart. This office is the only office that can process your outgoing TLA, you will not be able to file your departure TLA with your gaining command. Please call 808-448-0856 or 808-448-6888 if you have any questions.

Loan Furniture (Air Force only) -- Temporary furniture is handled through the Furnishings Management Office (FMO) at 808-448-0300. A copy of orders, lease rental documents and signed loaner agreements are required.

Loan Furniture (Navy only) -- Arrival and Departure furniture arrangements are made through the Housing Services Center (HSC) at the Navy Aloha Center, 808-474-1820/1821.

Transition GPS (Goals, Plans, Success) -- This mandatory 5-day workshop provides transitioning service members with an intensive transition overview including information and referral for veteran's benefits and services, individual transition plan consultation, MOC Crosswalk and GAP Analysis instruction, and a 3-day Department of Labor Employment Workshop. Plan to attend within one year of separation. Spouses are encouraged to attend. Navy members must register through their Command Career Counselor. Air Force members may register at Pre-Separation counseling, or through a Transition counselor or admin staff member at Military and Family Support Center.

Services for Inbound Personnel

Sponsorship Training -- In support of the Sponsorship Program MFSC JBPHH offers monthly trainings at the Conference Center Classroom at Wahiawa in Building 424B on the first Tuesday of the month and quarterly sponsor training workshops for individuals who wish to become sponsors. This class not only covers the latest changes in policy and regulations that affect incoming personnel and their families, but also insight into what makes an effective sponsor.

Welcome Aboard Information/Sponsor Information - Electronic Welcome Aboard information should be obtained 3-6 months prior to your arrival in Hawai'i. Electronic Welcome Aboard information is available on the local Great Life Hawaii website, under “Relocating to Hawaii?”. If you do not receive information from your sponsor, please ask him/her to send you information. If you do not receive information prior to your arrival, please stop by the Military and Family Support Center to gather information. Hours of Operation are Monday through Thursday 7:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. and Friday 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Aloha Academy for AF Personnel (Formerly "Ohana Aloha Newcomers' Orientation" (Air Force only) -- This is a mandatory newcomers' briefing that takes place on the second Tuesday and Wednesday and the fourth Tuesday and Wednesday of the month from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday's which includes a morning Resource Fair and an Island Bus Tour (Children must be 18 years of age for the Bus Tour), and on Wednesday's from 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Club Pearl on the Pearl Harbor side of  Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam. Please sign up through your unit when you in-process. See your CSS representative for registration on the Great Life Hawaii website.

Play Groups - The Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam Play Group provides parents new to the base/caregivers the opportunity to network in a safe and fun environment. This program is available for children ages 0-5, Mondays and Wednesdays, 10:00 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. at Earhart Community Center located behind the main chapel on Kuntz Avenue, on the Hickam side of Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam. For more information call ASYMCA at 808-474-3398.

Installation Specific Information

Each Fleet and Family Support Center (FFSC) and Airman and Family Readiness Center (A&FRC) has a Relocation Assistance Program (RAP) Manager/Counselor to assist you with the relocation process to help prepare you for your PCS move. Contact your local FFSC/A&FRC to schedule an appointment. Your receiving command should have a sponsor assigned to assist you with your transfer. Be sure to check with your gaining command if you have not heard from your sponsor. The mission of the RAP office is to help relieve some of the overwhelming stress associated with a move. Whether it is a PCS, Separation or Retirement, we offer service members and their families individual counseling, workshops, seminars, and resources covering all aspects of the relocation process. We encourage you to take advantage of the variety of services available.

Relocation Assistance

Upon arrival, call the Military and Family Support Center, Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam  (MFSC JBPHH) for any assistance you might need.  MFSC JBPHH provides information and referral for resources available in the community and at other nearby military installations. Arrival services include sponsor program, and information on housing, schools, home buying, cultural tours, in-briefs, loan closet, and more. Call 808-474-1999 or visit the MFSC JBPHH, Monday through Thursday, 7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Sponsorship training is available through classroom training and in-person through the Military and Family Support Center.