Relocation Assistance

Your Military and Family Support Center provides relocation assistance to help make PCS moves as smooth as possible. Resources include:

• PCS planning: Most relocation assistance programs offer consultations to help you with the moving process. If this your first military move, your first time moving overseas or you have challenging or complex circumstances contact your installation Relocation Assistance Program as soon as possible for support.
• Plan My Move: An online Defense Department relocation tool that provides you with customizable checklists and links to helpful resources for the tasks ahead.
• Military OneSource: A website and call center that offer 24/7 support for 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. For comprehensive moving resources and information, including Defense Personal Property log in details, visit Moving Your Personal Property.
• Workshops and briefings: Workshops vary by location. You may find classes on housing options, moving with children, moving with pets and more.
• Predeparture briefings: These sessions provide essential information about your move and may be required for some populations.
• Special needs: If you have a child or family member enrolled in the Exceptional Family Member Program, contact your installation EFMP-Family Support office to assist you.
• Settling-in services: Look for welcome programs or local area tours that may offered. Overseas services may include introductory language classes and cultural awareness activities.
• Foreign-born spouse support: Assistance includes information and referral to resources such as immigration and naturalization.
• Emergency assistance: Sometime emergencies occur while moving. The Military and Family Support Center has the resources to provide emergency financial assistance, as well as information and referrals.
• Authorized housing flexibility options: Eligible service members with PCS orders may be entitled to flexibilities such as extended stays in government housing and early housing eligibility. Contact your military personnel office for more information.
• Spouse licensure reimbursement: Your service branch may reimburse spouses up to $1,000 for relicensure and certification costs resulting from relocations or PCS moves. See this Military OneSource article Transferring Your Professional License for more information and specific service branch policies.

 The MacDill Air Force Base Relocation Assistance Team begins with your sponsor and involves the Military and Family Readiness Center staff with each base relocation agency.

There are a number of other agencies on base that manage various aspects of your relocation. The Housing Management Office, the Transportation Office, Military Personnel Flight, and your unit of assignment are some examples of the agencies involved in the relocation process.

MacDill AFB offers relocation assessment, counseling and referral. Some of our services targeted specifically for newcomers include the HeartLink orientation for all incoming spouses married to a military member fewer than five years.

Computers in our Discovery Center (M&FRC Annex, bld. 18) are also available for use by military identification card holders. This enables new arrivals and temporary duty assignment personnel to stay in touch with family and conduct necessary business.

HeartLink – This is an orientation for spouses new to the military and is offered at the M&FRC. Register to attend this program by calling the M&FRC.

Child Care for Permanent Change of Station – The Air Force Aid Society sponsors two childcare programs that allow 20 hours of free care per child for all ranks, at the time of PCS (within 60 days of departure or arrival at MacDill). Certificates for this program are provided at the M&FRC. A copy of  PCS orders must be provided. Complete enrollment paperwork with the Community Child Care Coordinator. For more information, contact Community Child Care Coordinator at 813-828-7760.

The other, program, Give Parents A Break, allows free childcare at our Child Development Center, once on a specified day for deployed families. To use this program, you will need a referral from your squadron Commander or First Sergeant, Chaplain or M&FRC staff. Prior to using the program, you will also be required to bring a current shot record to the CDC, and complete a registration form.

The MacDill M&FRC also offers the following programs and services to all newcomers:

Counseling and assessment – Our relocation staff will provide you with a complete briefing on services we have to offer. We will also provide you with assistance and referral to help you get settled in housing, schools, churches, employment services and much more. 

The M&FRC will be happy to assist you in resolving any problems or help answer questions concerning your move to MacDill. 

M&FRC's Transition Assistance Program (TAP) provides information and training to facilitate your separation from the military. In addition, the Information and Referral Program should be your first stop if you are not sure where you should go for help or information. You may stop by the center or call for an appointment.

Each family's needs are different, so there are many agencies, on and off base, that are staffed by specialists who can assist with your specific needs. An updated guide to community and base resources is available at the M&FRC and has telephone numbers, addresses and specific information on services.

Relocation Assistance

There are a multitude of resources and services offered by the M&FRC and other base agencies that will help you make a smooth transition. Incoming members will be scheduled for the mandatory Newcomers Orientation Briefing. Briefings are typically held the first Thursday of every month for all newly assigned personnel and their families. Members and their families are welcomed by the wing commander and introduced to base agencies representatives.

Spouse employment and education assistance is available for spouses seeking employment or continuing their education. Budgeting and assistance/guidance with application for financial emergency is available for unexpected expenses due to PCS.

For more detailed information, call the M&FRC at 813-828-0145 or DSN 312-968-0145.