Relocation Assistance

Your Military and Family Support Center provides relocation assistance to help make PCS moves as smooth as possible. Resources include:

• PCS planning: Most relocation assistance programs offer consultations to help you with the moving process. If this your first military move, your first time moving overseas or you have challenging or complex circumstances contact your installation Relocation Assistance Program as soon as possible for support.
• Plan My Move: An online Defense Department relocation tool that provides you with customizable checklists and links to helpful resources for the tasks ahead.
• Military OneSource: A website and call center that offer 24/7 support for moving information and resources. Learn more about PCS basics and download this fact sheet 7 Steps to Make Your Household Goods Move a Smart Move. For comprehensive moving resources and information, including Defense Personal Property log in details, visit Moving Your Personal Property.
• Workshops and briefings: Workshops vary by location. You may find classes on housing options, moving with children, moving with pets and more.
• Predeparture briefings: These sessions provide essential information about your move and may be required for some populations.
• Special needs: If you have a child or family member enrolled in the Exceptional Family Member Program, contact your installation EFMP-Family Support office to assist you.
• Settling-in services: Look for welcome programs or local area tours that may offered. Overseas services may include introductory language classes and cultural awareness activities.
• Foreign-born spouse support: Assistance includes information and referral to resources such as immigration and naturalization.
• Emergency assistance: Sometime emergencies occur while moving. The Military and Family Support Center has the resources to provide emergency financial assistance, as well as information and referrals.
• Authorized housing flexibility options: Eligible service members with PCS orders may be entitled to flexibilities such as extended stays in government housing and early housing eligibility. Contact your military personnel office for more information.
• Spouse licensure reimbursement: Your service branch may reimburse spouses up to $1,000 for relicensure and certification costs resulting from relocations or PCS moves. See this Military OneSource article Transferring Your Professional License for more information and specific service branch policies.

The newly arriving soldier and family members should be aware that the Army Community Service Relocation Readiness Program, located in Building 690 at Schofield Barracks, is especially designed to make their transition into our community an easier, more pleasant experience. The RRP provides assistance to soldiers and family members who will be moving to Hawaii or who will be moving from Hawaii to other military installations. Services include individual relocation counseling sessions, Plan My Move assistance, financial relocation planning, Lending Closet and other related information.

Lending Closet

Our Lending Closet provides essential items primarily for the family making a permanent change of station while they are awaiting the arrival of their household goods. Items provided include:

• Pots and pans
• Dishes
• Silverware
• Small appliances

We do not provide linens, pillows or towels. Plan to bring or mail/ship these items to save unnecessary expenses.

Orientations/Trainings

The RRP provides a Newcomers Orientation for newly arriving soldiers and their families. Newcomers Orientations are held every Thursday. 

English as a Second Language classes are offered through Hawaii School for Adults. Please contact ACS for information on registering.

The RRP Office provides sponsorship training, pre-move and post-move briefings and overseas briefings. 

Plan Ahead

• Contact the Transportation Office.
• Homeowners should begin preparations to sell or rent.
• If residing in government quarters, contact your Housing Office.
• Make an inventory of possessions and valuables.
• Organize personal records, such as birth certificates and insurance papers.
• Take care of necessary medical and dental appointments.
• If the soldier is going on temporary duty travel in advance of PCS, be sure to have a power of attorney.
• Take care of automotive maintenance and repairs if traveling by automobile.
• Have pets checked by a veterinarian, update vaccinations/inoculations and take a copy of records. Pets coming to Hawaii will be quarantined for six months with the cost borne by the owner.
• Notify schools and arrange to pick up records.

For more information on planning your move, contact the RRP at your current installation or the Schofield Barracks RRP at 808-787-4227 or DSN 315-437-4227.

Relocation Assistance

For more assistance, visit the ACS page of the U.S. Army Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation website or contact us at 808-787-4227.