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.

Sponsors are assigned to inbound personnel by the gaining units. Once your new unit at Kadena receives official notification of your assignment, the unit Commander Support Staff will assign a sponsor to you. Your sponsor will then make contact via telephone/e-mail to conduct a needs assessment. With a copy of your PCS orders, your sponsor can obtain a Postal Service Center mailbox for you 30 days prior to arrival and notify you of your new forwarding address to ensure no interruption in mail service. Your sponsor can also assist lodging arrangements and provide transportation for you from the airport.

Prior to your arrival, ensure you have been provided contact numbers in the event of delays, changes in flight schedules, or you are not met at the airport. A courtesy phone with a DSN line is available at the Naha International Airport's Information Booth upon request. If you require assistance with sponsorship issues, please see your local Military and Family Readiness Center for assistance, 011-81-98-961-3366 or DSN 315-634-3366.