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.

The sponsorship program is a great way to gather information about your new location and to gain answers to questions regarding your move. Soldiers and Department of Defense civilians are eligible to be assigned a sponsor after receipt of orders and prior to their arrival at Natick Soldier Systems Center. During a PCS move, a temporary duty address or your billeting address can be set up to receive your personal mail until you establish permanent quarters.

To request a sponsor, military personnel should contact their unit S-1 or sponsorship noncommissioned officer directly. Civilian employees should complete DA Form 5434 and email it to our sponsorship liaison. For the current email address, contact the directorate of human resources at 508-206-4050. Incoming civilians may also contact the Civilian Personnel Advisory Center directly at 508-206-2500. A welcome email with helpful information can also be requested by both incoming military and civilians from Army Community Service at usarmy.natick.imcom.list.nati-acs@mail.mil.