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 safe arrival to MacDill Air Force Base is very important to us. Moving can be very stressful whether you are single or married. Please ensure you have secured a sponsor from your new unit prior to your arrival. This individual is specifically assigned to host you and help ensure your transition into MacDill Air Force Base is a smooth one. Sponsorship is for single and married military members and civilians with orders to report to MacDill. If for any reason you have not been assigned a sponsor, or if your sponsor is not available and you are experiencing any difficulties, please contact your unit or the MacDill Air Force Base Military and Family Readiness Center, 813-828-0145, option 1, or DSN 312-968-0145, option 1. If you arrive at MacDill after hours, your unit is not a 24-hour operation, and you need immediate assistance, please call the command post 813-828-4361. They will be able to contact your unit's First Sergeant who is also available to assist you.

Upon receiving PCS orders, contact the local base postal service center 813-828-4430 and complete an AF Form 624 for a change of address. The temporary mailing address for MacDill is: Rank/name, 8106 Condor St., P.S.C. Box 3500, Tampa, FL 33621.

All active-duty personnel should report to their unit's Commander Support Staff for in-processing. For a list of units with location and telephone numbers see the Major Unit Listing topic.

Department of Defense civilians: contact your selecting official or personnel office for a sponsor. If you still do not receive a sponsor, contact the MacDill Civilian Personnel Office for assistance.