Check-in Procedures

Permanent party members who arrive during duty hours Monday through Friday,
8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. should report to their commander’s support staff. All personnel must be in compliance with Air Force Instruction 36-2903 Dress and Appearance of Air Force Personnel. Those who arrive after duty hours should report to the Sheppard Inn, Avenue J, Building 1600, and contact their appropriate squadrons or sponsors for in-processing instructions.

Questions about in-processing should be addressed by calling 940-676-4314 or DSN 312-736-4314, or you can fax 940-676-2637 or DSN 312-736-2637.

Sheppard Air Force Base Right Start

Offered on the third Thursday of every month, Sheppard Right Start orientation is held from
8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Sheppard Event Center, Building 340. Representatives from various base and community agencies are available to provide information on areas of concern to newcomers.

You will be scheduled for Right Start during your commander’s support staff in-processing. The orientation is mandatory for military members and new civilian employees. Spouses are welcome and encouraged to attend. Sheppard Right Start representatives can be contacted at 940-676-4358 or DSN 312-736-4358.

In-processing procedures for new civilian members

New civilian employees should report to the Civilian Personnel Office in Building 402 at the time stated in their notification letter.

Birth and marriage certificates, divorce decrees, immunization records, household goods inventory, pay records, passports, medical records, insurance policies, wills, adoption papers, and powers-of-attorney.

Although North Texas is a beautiful area, the weather has been known to change drastically overnight. Prior to arriving at Sheppard Air Force Base, keep up on the weather through the internet, newspaper, television and your sponsor. The summers can be quite warm and winters can be freezing cold. The spring and fall are beautiful times of the year, but tornadoes are sometimes a threat in the North Texas area during the spring. Fortunately tornado season is short-lived and tornado shelters are clearly marked throughout Wichita Falls and Sheppard Air Force Base. Talk to your sponsor about what types of clothing to carry with you as you travel to Sheppard. December weather has been known to drop in the teens, but also can get up to the 70s. Weather during the summer months can reach over 100 degrees, or cool into the 70s. As they say in this area, "If you don't like the weather, just wait awhile, it will change." That is certainly true for North Texas. We enjoy over 300 days a year of sunshine, making the Wichita Falls area a gardeners heaven. Cotton and wheat grow well in this area, and pecan trees seem to be everywhere. Recent years have caused drought conditions in the area, however. In 2011, Wichita Falls had the highest average temperature in the nation with over 100 days of 100 degrees or higher and severe snow storms have crippled the area on a few occasions in recent years as well. It is best to be prepared for all kinds of weather and include emergency kits in every car.

If you get married before you PCS, you must inform your commander and follow the procedures exactly as you are given them. The military will not pay for travel and housing of your spouse if you do not follow proper procedures.

Heartlink is an orientation conducted quarterly to acquaint and familiarize military spouses with Air Force programs and services. The program is geared toward spouses who have been with the military five years or less, but all spouses are invited. This is a fun and informative program. For dates and times call the Military and Family Readiness Center at 940-676-4358 or DSN 312-736-4358.

Separating/Retiring

When separating or retiring from the Air Force, you must contact the Separations/Retirement Workcenter. You must also make an appointment for one-on-one counseling with Transition Assistance at the Military and Family Readiness Center. Transition Assistance also offers career counseling, and a monthly three-day Transition Assistance Program workshop to help transitioning military members get better acclimated to civilian life. To register for the Transition Assistance Program workshop please call 940-676-4358 or DSN 312-736-4358.