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.

Personnel desiring command sponsorship should contact their current unit sponsorship coordinator or the installation Information and Referral/Relocation Office to request a sponsor at their gaining command. The installation Information and Referral Office can be reached at 703-784-2659 Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Personnel who were not assigned a sponsor prior to transfer and who need command sponsorship during the permanent change of station transfer may also contact the Military Personnel Reception Center. The Installation Personnel Administration Center is the central office for Marine Corps personnel reporting to Quantico and is located on the second deck of Building 2006 (Headquarters and Service Battalion), Hawkins Ave. IPAC is open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to noon (except holidays) and can be reached by calling 703-784-4466.

To forward mail to Quantico, fill out two "Change of Address" cards at the post office at your present command. Address all mail going to Quantico to General Delivery, Quantico, VA 22134. The Postmaster will retain your mail for 30 days from your stated estimated date of arrival. To collect your mail check in with the post office. Please be sure to check the appropriate boxes for temporary or permanent assignment, single or family mail so that all mail for the family will be kept together.