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.

M&FRC 

We have a Loan Closet that will assist members with the following items: futons, kitchen kits, ironing boards, irons and more.

Upon in-processing, you will be scheduled to attend a Right Start briefing. You are required to attend Right Start within 30 days of arrival. Shaw's Military and Family Readiness Center Relocation Assistance Program includes Right Start Area Orientation. We highly encourage you to bring your spouse.

If you have children, please stop by the Military and Family Readiness Center to receive a certificate for 20 free hours of child care per child provided by Air Force Aid. The 20 free hours of child care must be used within your first 60 days of arrival on station or within 60 days prior to your PCSing. You will, however, be required to use our certified child care providers. We will also need a copy of your orders for PCS verification.

Installation Specific Information

When visiting the Relocation Office, you can obtain information about Shaw and the surrounding area. You can obtain maps, school information, recreational activities and other information and referral assistance by visiting the Shaw Air Force Base guide online.

The Relocation Assistance Program is available in Military and Family Readiness Centers at all major military installations worldwide. Use the services for pre-departure support at your losing end, as well as arrival support and orientation at your new home. If you have not been provided a sponsor, request one to be assigned to assist you! Every newly arriving person should have a sponsor. Sponsors provide welcome packages and information (tailored to fit your needs) about housing, schools, employment, etc. To request one, contact your squadron, organization, your Military and Family Readiness Center (at losing end) or Shaw Military and Family Readiness Center Relocation Assistance Program.

If you have a spouse ensure that they contact your Squadrons Key Support Personnel for an easier PCS for you entire family.

No matter how well you've planned, emergencies do happen. To prepare for this, make sure you have all your important papers with you, and not packed with your household goods. The American Red Cross is always available for emergency aid anywhere you may be. Contact the nearest chapter. Phone numbers are usually listed in the local phone directory. They can sometimes help with emergency financial assistance and contacting individuals that will need to know where you are and what's happening. Plan for the unexpected.

The local Transition Assistance Program at the Military and Family Readiness Center is the first step you should take if you decide to separate or retire. They offer a variety of programs to assist you in securing employment, as well as prepare you for the civilian world. There is a mandatory briefing at the Military and Family Readiness Center which everyone separating must attend at least 365 days prior to date of separation or 2 years if you are retiring. Report to the Separations section at Military Personnel for your individual needs relating to separating from the military.