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.

Your safe arrival at Shaw Air Force Base is very important to us. Moving can be very stressful whether you are single or married, so ensure that you have secured a sponsor from your new unit prior to your arrival. This individual is specifically assigned to host you and help ensure your transition into Shaw Air Force Base is a smooth one.

Sponsorship is for all service members, Family members and Civilians with orders to report to Shaw Air Force Base. If for any reason you have not been assigned a sponsor or if your sponsor is not available and you are experiencing any difficulties, contact your unit or the Shaw Air Force Base Military and Family Readiness Center at 803-895-1253 or DSN 312-965-1253.

If you arrive at Shaw Air Force Base after hours and your unit is not a 24-hour operation and you need immediate assistance, call the command post at 803-895-5850. They will be able to contact your unit's first sergeant who is also available to help you.

You may temporarily use Shaw Air Force Base's general delivery address to have mail forwarded. The post office on base will hold your mail.

General Delivery/Your Name
510 Nelson Ave.
Shaw Air Force Base, SC 29152