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.

A sponsor will send you a sponsor package, answer your questions about the base and the area, make lodging/dorm arrangements for you and meet you upon arrival. Your sponsor will help you and your family until you are settled into the new community. A sponsor will be assigned to you by your gaining unit commander's support staff. Sponsorship is mandatory for all personnel below the grade of colonel. If you do not hear from a sponsor contact your gaining unit. Department of Defense civilians should contact their selecting official or personnel office for a sponsor. If you still do not receive a sponsor contact  your Squadron First Sgt.

Each squadron is responsible for in-processing of personnel. They will schedule you for all your appointments. When you arrive at Pope the first thing to do is report to your squadron Commander Support Staff and sign into your squadron. The CSS and/or the military personnel flight will set up all your in-processing appointments. If you have any questions or concerns again contact your sponsor unit orderly room or the Customer Service Center Military Personnel Flight at 910-394-2276.