Sponsorship

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.

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.

Sponsors

When you receive your orders, you will be assigned a sponsor from your gaining unit. Your sponsor will contact you and provide you with information about the unit and your destination.

If you have not been assigned a sponsor by the time you are within several weeks of departure, contact the quarterdeck of your command and request a sponsor. You can find help by calling the Fleet and Family Support Center at 228-871-3000. If you are checking in after hours, call 228-871-2555.

Mail

Naval Construction Battalion Station Gulfport does not have post office rental boxes. The closest post office is located on 11110 US Highway 49 North, Gulfport, MS. Call 800-275-8777 for additional information.

While in transit, mail can be forwarded to your new command and picked up on arrival. As soon as you have established an address, have your mail forwarded there. Additional help with change of address notifications is available at the Military Moving website. They will assist you in notifying contacts of your new residential address.