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 War Department relocation tool that provides you with customizable checklists and links to helpful resources for the tasks ahead.
• Military OneSource: A website and contact center that offer 24/7 support for moving information and resources. Learn more about PCS basics. For comprehensive moving resources and information, including Defense Personal Property login 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 be 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: Sometimes 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.

To assist with your transition to Misawa, the Misawa Military and Family Readiness Center provides the following:

The Intercultural Program offers information, education and skills development for members getting acclimated to Misawa Air Base and the local community. Several classes, tours and services are available for Misawa personnel to enrich their time in Japan, including off-base tours, Japanese language and cooking classes, Japanese grocery and local shopping trips in the Japanese community plus so much more.

The Commander’s Key Support Program is a commander's program to enhance the communication flow from leadership to unit family members. Unit Commanders appoint and utilize volunteers for the program, identified as Key Support Liaisons, to assist unit families with accessing M&FRC and other on- and off-base helping resources to support families within the unit. The role of the KSL is designed to increase readiness, connectedness and resiliency. KSL volunteers that can be appointed include spouses, active-duty members, federal civilians, family members and civilians connected with the Unit. The M&FRC maintains contact with all Key Support Liaisons, supports training/networking meetings, and provides KSL's formal training. The M&FRC is located in Building 656, the Torii Building and the phone number is DSN 315-226-4735 or 011-81-176-77-4735.

The Misawa M&FRC phone number is DSN 315-226-4735 or 011-81-176-77-4735 or go to https://35fss.com/military-family-readiness-center/ for more information.

Relocation Assistance

Right Start Newcomers Orientation is mandatory for all Air Force active-duty newcomers. Sign up through your Commander's Support Staff. Arrive no later than 7:30 a.m. in uniform with at least two copies of your orders, P.O. Box number, duty phone and cell phone number to complete required paperwork. Right Start is scheduled from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Please make sure to plan ahead so you are able to stay for the entire duration of briefings. Civilian employees are highly encouraged to attend, and all dependents are welcome on a space-available basis. Contact the M&FRC at DSN: 315-226-4735 for more information.

Outside of the M&FRC, Pass and Registration offers:

Driver's License Training Course, USFJ Form 4E 

• This course is offered online – through a Joint Knowledge Online course.
• Once completed, please bring your certificate of completion to BLDG 653, room 131. You must complete this course to be able to drive on and off Misawa AB.
• Bring a copy of your orders, your valid stateside driver's license, and military ID card to the Pass & Registration office. Pass and Registration can be contacted at DSN: 315-226-3995.

Misawa Air Base Online Drivers Course Joint Knowledge Online

• Military members, dependents and civilians on SOFA status can take the training online up to 60 days prior to arriving at Misawa.
• Members who have a CAC can login to the JKO website via their ID Card. Spouses/dependents will need to register an account on the website. After the account is created, the steps to finding the course are the same.
• Upon completion of the course members will print out the certificate and report to Pass & Registration for 4EJ issue.