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 Relocation Assistance Program office as soon as possible for information and assistance.
• Plan My Move is an online tool that helps break the moving process down into clear, manageable steps for all family members. This Department of Defense relocation tool provides details about housing, transportation, finances, family and more.
• Military OneSource offers a variety of 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.
• 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.
• Predeparture 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 the military member and/or family members have the required passports and/or visa prior to final out-processing. Military members 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. Military 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 that members do not out-process without having the appropriate passports/visas for themselves (if applicable) and/or for their family members.

Services for Outbound Personnel

Outbound Services – Moving overseas presents unique challenges and opportunities. Individual service members and families are offered relocation counseling with 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 permanent change of station process cover information vital to a well-planned move. Subjects include relocation stress, shipment of household goods and privately-owned vehicle, financial considerations, TRICARE, outbound Temporary Living Allowance and basic entitlements and allowances. The speakers are also available to answer questions concerning your own specific circumstances.

Departure Temporary Living Allowance (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 in Building 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 at 808-448-0300. A copy of PCS 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 at the Navy Aloha Center, or by phone at 808-474-1820/1821.

Transition Assistance Program – This mandatory three-day workshop provides transitioning service members with an intensive overview of transition resources including information and referral for veterans’ benefits and services, individual transition plan consultation and labor market analysis.

Additional two-day workshops are available for all transitioning service members and their spouses but are mandatory for service members with a tier 3 assignment. The two-day tracks available are the Department of Labor Employment, My Education, DOL Vocational and Boots to Business (entrepreneurship) workshops. In most cases, it is required that you attend TAP 365 days before your date of separation or retirement. Spouses are encouraged to attend. Navy members must register through their command career counselor. Air Force members must book an appointment for initial counseling with a transition counselor at the Military and Family Support Center. You will be booked for TAP and additional workshops that fit your transition needs during the initial counseling session.

Services for Inbound Personnel

Sponsorship Training – In support of the Sponsorship Program, MFSC Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam offers monthly training at the Conference Center Classroom at Wahiawa in Building 424B. Sponsor training workshops for individuals who wish to become sponsors are held the first Tuesday of the month for six months out of the year and then quarterly. Please refer to the MFSC JBPHH Great Life Hawaii website for respective dates, times and locations (subject to change). This class not only covers the latest changes in policy and regulations that affect incoming personnel and their families but also provides insight into what makes an effective sponsor.

Welcome Aboard Information/Sponsor Information – Electronic Welcome Aboard information should be obtained three to six months prior to your arrival in Hawaii. Electronic Welcome Aboard information is available on the local Great Life Hawaii website. Be sure to select the Relocating to JBPHH? tab. If you do not receive information from your sponsor, please ask your sponsor to send you information. If you do not receive information prior to your arrival, please stop by the MFSC to gather information. Hours of operation are Monday through Thursday from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Friday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Aloha Academy for Air Force Personnel (formerly Ohana Aloha Newcomers' Orientation) (Air Force only) – This mandatory newcomers’ briefing takes place on the second and fourth Tuesday and Wednesday of the month. The Tuesday session is held from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and includes a morning resource fair and an island bus tour. (Children must be 18 years of age or older for the bus tour.) The Wednesday session is held from 7:30-11:30 a.m. at Club Pearl on the Pearl Harbor side of JBPHH. Please sign up through your unit when you in-process. See your combat service support representative for registration on the Great Life Hawaii website.

Play Groups – The JBPHH play group provides parents new to the base and caregivers the opportunity to network in a safe and fun environment. This program is available for children ages 0-5. The play group meets Mondays and Wednesdays from 10-11:30 a.m. at the Earhart Community Center, located behind the main chapel on Kuntz Avenue on the Hickam side of JBPHH. For more information, call the Armed Services YMCA at 808-474-3398.

Installation-Specific Information

Each Fleet and Family Support Center and Airman and Family Readiness Center has a Relocation Assistance Program manager/counselor ready to assist you with the relocation process and to help prepare you for your PCS move. Contact your local FFSC or 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 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 the sponsor program as well as information on housing, schools, home buying, cultural tours, newcomer briefs, Loan Closet and more. Call 808-474-1999 or visit the MFSC JBPHH, Monday through Thursday from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Friday from 7 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Sponsorship training is available through classroom training and in-person through the MFSC.