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 Defense Department relocation tool that provides you with customizable checklists and links to helpful resources for the tasks ahead.
• Military OneSource: A website and call center that offer 24/7 support for moving information and resources. Learn more about PCS basics and download this fact sheet 7 Steps to Make Your Household Goods Move a Smart Move. For comprehensive moving resources and information, including Defense Personal Property log in 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 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: Sometime 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.

The Relocation Assistance Program office is located at the Fleet and Family Support Center in Building 154. Contact the RAP office for information about Naval Support Activity Washington and the National Capital Region. Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling has items for checkout in our Lending Locker, including pots and pans, dishes, silverware, futons and small appliances.

Newcomers to the Washington, D.C., area should report to their individual commands, and then area Personnel Support Detachments. Report to the quarterdeck of your command to check in.

Installation-specific information

Welcome to Naval Support Activity Washington. The NSAW FFSC RAP is here to assist you with your relocation needs and to help ease the stress of a new duty assignment. Prior to coming to the metro area, have your sponsor send you a Welcome Aboard Package. The following services for newcomers are available.

Relocation information -- The RAP office provides you with area brochures and pamphlets. Relocation counselors can provide information about the Washington, D.C., area on topics such as childcare, shopping, employment resources, housing, apartment shopping, base information and surrounding military installations. FFSC staff will assist you with your relocation needs, including information on housing costs, licensing pets, getting a driver's license, finding childcare and temporary lodging.

Lending Locker -- Hospitality kits, eating utensils, pots, pans, futons and other essential items are available at JBAB in the Military and Family Support Center, building 13, for a loan for 30 days; you will need your military identification card to borrow items. Call first for the availability of items as they are given out on a first-come, first-served basis.

Separations -- Fleet and Family Services offers a Transition Assistance Program for those service members who will be getting out of the military. Make sure to attend the TAP class prior to getting out. TAP classes fill up early and need to be booked as soon as possible -- at least one year before separation and two years before retirement. TAP is a five-day workshop. Call the FFSC at 202-685-0229 for additional information.

Information and Referral Program -- The I&RP links military families with the appropriate agency or service that will help with a particular need. Contact the FFSC at 202-685-0229 for more information or referrals.

NSAW FFSC RAP: 202-685-8326