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.

Contact your gaining command for your sponsor assignment. Communication with your sponsor is critical to their success in assisting you prior to and upon your arrival. Provide flight information, if you will be arriving at the Jacksonville International Airport, number of passengers and approximate number of bags you will have so your sponsor can meet you with the appropriate sized vehicle. A taxi ride from the airport will cost you about $50.00, but can vary depending upon the taxi service. The NAS Jacksonville Quarterdeck is located on the main floor of building 1. Enter the Yorktown Avenue (Main Gate) entrance and proceed to Langley St. The Administration Building 1 is located on the right, at the corner of Yorktown Avenue & Langley Street. The quarterdeck phone number is 1-904-542-2338/2339.

Temporary Lodging

Temporary lodging on base is not guaranteed. Be sure to make arrangements prior to your arrival. Berthing is generally not available for single E-5 and above personnel on permanent change of station orders at the Combined Bachelor Quarters aboard NAS Jacksonville. We can house those E5 and above personnel in our Navy Gateway Inns & Suites for up to 30 days "at cost". You may contact the Reservation Office at 1-904-542-3138 or DSN 942-3427 for more information. You are strongly encouraged to contact the Combined Bachelor Quarters prior to accepting orders. Do not just assume you will get geo-bachelor housing. Call 1-904-542-8196 for information.

Service members arriving with families should check with the Navy Gateway Inns & Suites at 1-904-542-3138 or DSN 942-3427 for availability of temporary billeting. Heritage Cottages are now available for short-term lodging on base. These furnished 2-Bedroom units sleep six and include a screened porch. Contact the Navy Gateway Inns & Suites for reservations and pricing.

Lodging at the Navy Gateway Inns and Suites are available to all military: active, retired, reserve, veterans and DOD civilians both on orders and on leisure travel. Making reservations on orders you can make reservation at any time. Making reservations on leisure travel reservations are taken 30 day in advance.

When making your reservations, keep in mind the type of orders and availability are used to determine the priority status. Navy Gateway Inns & Suites and the Navy Lodge has a limited number of designated pet rooms. For more information and reservations, call the Navy Lodge at 1-904-772-6000 or visit the Navy Lodge web site. If a pet room is not available, you will need to make reservations in town. There are local pet kennels near the base and you can contact Navy Gateway Inns & Suites at 1-904-542-3138 for more information.