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 Welcome Aboard package is given on a one-on-one basis when incoming military personnel check in with the Information, Referral and Relocation Program Manager in Building 923, Room 27. All services and resources available are explained in detail and customized to each individual.

To borrow household essential items while waiting for household goods shipments to arrive, Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island has a Lending Locker available to meet the need. All items are loaned on a first-come, first-served basis. Available for loan are military-style cots, TVs, microwaves, dish packs, irons and ironing boards, vacuum cleaners and more.

The Relocation Assistance Program office can be reached at 843-228-2371 or DSN 312-335-2371.

Lending Locker

Building 923, Room 27
Chosin Reservoir Road
MCRD Parris Island

• Military-style cots
• Irons, ironing boards and vacuums
• Coffee makers, Keurig coffee makers and toasters
• Kitchen utensils
• 19-inch TVs with DVD Players
• Folding tables and chairs

The Lending Locker is for active-duty Marines and their families who need household items temporarily. Items available include:

When checking items out of the Lending Locker, please bring the following:

• Military identification card
• New command address and phone number
• New residence address and phone number

Installation Specific Information

The Information, Referral and Relocation program locates resources for services and programs available at MCRD Parris Island, MCAS Beaufort, Naval Hospital Beaufort and civilian agencies both locally and nationally. IR&R also provides assistance to make relocation as smooth and stress-free as possible.

The Information, Referral and Relocation program provides a number of relocation assistance briefs and services for inbound and outbound personnel.

Smooth Move is a mandatory workshop for personnel making a Permanent Change of Station (PCS) move. Subject matter experts from DMO, Disbursing, Housing and more will provide instructions on the proper procedures to PCS and receive full benefits. Personnel should attend the Smooth Move Seminar 60-90 days prior to executing PCS orders, or as soon as web orders are received. Registration should be made as soon as web orders are received. Spouses are welcome and encouraged to attend!

Please contact the Information and Referral Office for more information at 843-228-2371.

Learn important information about the base and surrounding area during the Welcome Aboard Brief. The brief is available to military personnel and spouses when they check-in with Information & Referral. Receive a personal Welcome Aboard Brief between 0800-1600, Monday through Friday, without an appointment.

Contact the Information and Referral Office for more information at 843-228-2371.

Personnel in the grades of E-1 through E-6, WO-1 and O-1 through O-2 must attend the mandatory Welcome Aboard Brief (Settling in Services) in accordance with MCO 1754.10B. Spouses are welcome and encouraged to attend.