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.

All newcomers should have a sponsor assigned at their gaining unit/department prior to arriving at Picatinny Arsenal. If a sponsor has not been assigned, one may be requested by filling out a DA Form 5434 at the current unit. A sponsor will be assigned within three days and the soldier will receive a welcome packet with post information and instructions on in-processing to his/her new unit. A soldier's sponsor may arrange to meet with him/her upon arrival. If this is not possible, the sponsor will instruct the soldier to begin in-processing at the Military Personnel Center office in building 34 South, Ramsey Ave. The office can be reached at 973-724-5829/5830. Soldiers may use the address on their orders or the address of the unit as a temporary mailing address for mail en route. To obtain a sponsor, contact your new unit or call the Military Personnel Center at 973-724-5829.

There is no general delivery. Please call your forwarding unit admin to inquire if they will collect your mail.