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.

Having a sponsor before you arrive in the United Kingdom is essential. The Sponsorship program is operated at the unit level. Inbound personnel that have not yet been contacted by the new unit please reach out to them immediately. Your sponsor should provide you with information about your gaining organization, the local community, housing, education, employment, the base and any other information you request. This applies to Active Duty, GS, NAF, and contracting employees.

Along with assisting you in the PCS process, your sponsor should secure you a mailbox at RAF Alconbury or RAF Molesworth. Depending on your assigned base you can contact the RAF Alconbury Post Office at 011-44-14-8084-3539 or DSN 314-268-3539 or RAF Molesworth Post Office at 011-44-14-8084-2991 or DSN 314-268-2991 with any questions.

Be sure to keep in touch with your sponsor throughout the process if your arrival plans change keep your sponsor informed.

The Military & Family Readiness Center offers a Pre-Arrival Orientation. Call to register at 01480-84-3557 or DSN 314-268-3557.