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.

Once your gaining organization has received confirmation of your Permanent Change of Station (PCS), military and Department of  Defense Civilians will be assigned a sponsor. Your sponsor will provide you with at "Welcome to Robins from the Military and Family Readiness Center" letter and PCS resources.  Your Sponsor should provide you with a "Needs Assessment" to assess your specific needs and from there provide your requested information about the local community, including housing, schools, employment, base and any other information you request. Your sponsor should also provide you with information about your gaining organization, including the name of your First Sergeant and Commander. Keep your sponsor informed during your permanent change of station. If your arrival plans change, be sure to contact your sponsor. Your sponsor will be responsible for welcoming you to the base and your organization. You will be given information about in-processing from your Command Support Staff (CSS).

Military members entering the Main Gate (Gate 3, Watson Gate), open 24 hours a day, should report directly to their unit Commanders Support Staff (CSS) office. If you were not provided this information by your sponsor you will be directed to the Military Personnel Flight office in Building 767 during duty hours. After duty hours report to the 24-hour arrival point, Pine Oaks Lodging Building 557.  The first full duty day after arrival, your sponsor should take you to your unit's CSS. The CSS will contact MPF to schedule an appointment for In-Processing. Bring all hand-carried records with you for in-processing.

Civilians being assigned to Robins Air Force Base report to their assigned CSS office or during duty hours report to the Civilian Personnel Office in Building 255. For information, call the Civilian Personnel Office at (DSN) 312-472-0601/0602 or 478-222-0601/0602.

For additional information on "General Delivery," mail service newcomers may contact the Robins AFB Postal Service Center Commercial 478-926-2127 or DSN 312-468-2127.