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.

You will be assigned a sponsor who will contact you to answer any questions you may have. Please be sure to notify your sponsor of your expected arrival date so that they will be available to meet you at the air terminal or civilian airport when you arrive. If the sponsor is unable to meet you someone else from the appropriate department will be there to meet you. While en route to Souda Bay you may have your mail forwarded to the command. Please visit the Naval Station Activity Souda Bay Homepage and or email SoudaBaySponsors@EU.NAVY.MIL to request a sponsor and find the most up to date travel information.

A successful sponsorship experience can make all the difference for a smooth transition. Your sponsor is the best
source of information for questions and concerns relating to your move. They can answer questions about living
in Crete. If you are a Sailor and have received your orders but not been assigned a sponsor, please send an email to Sponsor Program and we will take care of you.
Supervisors of incoming U.S. civilian employees coordinate civilian sponsors. You likely will be in contact with
your supervisor shortly after accepting the job offer. If this is not the case, contact the HR representative who
extended the job offer, and they will connect you.
Your sponsor will meet you at the airport upon your arrival, provide transportation to base or to your hotel, help
arrange a rental car if needed, arrange for base access and give you a familiarization tour of base. They will also help you during your check-in process.
In order for your sponsor to provide the assistance required, be sure to provide your flight information as soon as possible, whether you are flying MILAIR or commercial. It is essential that you inform your sponsor of your arrival date so they can arrange temporary base access for you in advance. You WILL NOT be able to get onto the installation without approved base access.
Keep in contact with your sponsor regularly, ask question ahead of time to be more prepared, and notify them of any changes to your itinerary.