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 Relocation Assistance Office is located at Building 126. You can call the office at 760-577-6675 or email IRR.MCLBB@usmc-mccs.org

Relocation assistance is available to military personnel and Department of Defense personnel and their families who are relocating to a new duty station, being deployed or separating or retiring from service. Pre-departure information is provided about the new duty station and how to request a sponsor if one was not assigned. The Relocation Assistance Office provides personalized settling-in services for new Marines and their dependents as the service member checks in, and at the base Welcome Aboard which are also open to all spouses and dependents.

Relocation Assistance has a Lending Locker available to check out household items for temporary use until household goods arrive.

Installation-Specific Information

Relocation Assistance at MCLB Barstow is here to provide support, information and resources needed for a successful move. We empower military families by discussing topics, tools, and resources for preparing for a move. 

Moving with a family can be overwhelming. Add to that dealing with a special needs family member and you've now doubled or tripled the difficulty. Children can be difficult during these stressful times, regardless of their age. Allow us to help you get started and develop a plan that suits you and your family. Our staff is personable, friendly and willing to help you achieve your moving goals and deal with any emotional situations that may occur. Spouses are welcome to attend all classes and workshops, and they may stop by Building 126 whenever they need assistance.

Welcome Aboard briefs occur each quarter, and pre-departure classes (PCS Workshops) are available monthly. These classes equip the service member and spouse with the essential tools needed to overcome and adapt the challenges that often occur with relocation. Classes are interactive and include discussion based on the service member's individual circumstances.  Mandatory for Marines and Sailors assigned to MCLB Barstow.  Spouses highly encouraged to attend.

If your household goods are still in transit, come by and check out a hospitality kit from the Loan Locker. They are free of charge and equipped with basic kitchenware such as pots, pans, dishes and utensils. Children's cots, high chairs, microwaves, tables, chairs and vacuums may also be available.  When planning your move, it is a good practice to bring some towels, linens and toilet tissue with you to use until your movers arrive.

We encourage service members and spouses to bring up their personal hardships and difficulties so that they may be addressed and consulted with the appropriate program manager. These hardships can range from financial problems and wanting to connect with other families to helping a spouse seek employment or marital issues. Whatever it is, we can help guide you to the resources you need.