Sponsorship

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.

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.

If you are not contacted by a sponsor, request one from your gaining unit and ensure your sponsor has good contact information to reach you. They are the most valuable key you have to make a successful PCS move and are especially critical in an overseas environment. Once you receive your orders, you can get a post office box. Send your sponsor a copy of your orders, and he/she will then be able to secure a box for you. Your address will be: YOUR NAME, PSC 41, Box ____, APO AE 09464-0051.

If you have requested a sponsor and you have not been contacted within 30 working days, please contact the Commander's Support Staff (CSS) at your gaining unit. If you need assistance in obtaining a sponsor or contacting your unit CSS, contact your local Military and Family Readiness Center (M&FRC) or the RAF Lakenheath M&FRC by calling COMM +44-1638-52-3847, DSN 226-3847, or by e-mailing 48fss.fsfr@us.af.mil.

In the meantime, lots of great information is at already at your fingertips! Just download the AF Connect App, favorite the 48th Fighter Wing, swipe to access the Wing page, and click on the "Newcomers Tab". You will find resources about various topics, from Pre-Arrival, to spouse information, to driving in the UK, and so much more!