Sponsorship

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.

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.

Your sponsor is responsible for contacting you and answering any questions you may have prior to your arrival. Your sponsor will help you and your family until you are settled in. If you have not heard from a sponsor, you should initiate contact with your unit for a sponsor no later than 30 days prior to departing your current location. If you experience any communication difficulties with your sponsor, please contact the gaining unit orderly room or the Military and Family Readiness Center's main office, 228-376-8728 or DSN 312-591-8728.

Personnel coming to Keesler for temporary duty travel training should coordinate with the training squadron for specific information regarding their school and their lodging arrangements. Please refer to the Air Education and Training Command Education and Training Course Announcements site since all training courses are required to post reporting instruction there.

Non-prior service technical training students are not provided sponsors. However, the Keesler Military and Family Readiness Center Annex (located in the Levitow Bldg.) will assist with any questions or concerns you may have. Also, if planning on bringing family to Keesler, contact the Keesler Military and Family Readiness Center Annex for important information. Please call 228-377-0155 or DSN 312-597-0155.

Before you arrive, use the following temporary address: Rank and name; General Delivery, Keesler Air Force Base, MS 39534-2322; Member's Reporting Date. Your sponsor can get you a P.O. Box up to 90 days prior to your arrival. Please be sure to provide your sponsor with a copy of your orders. If you have any questions about postal service, call 228-377-2167.