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.

All inbound personnel should be connected with a sponsor to answer question and assist with the logistics of your arrival to base. However, if you are within 60 days of leaving your installation and have not heard from your sponsor or have not received a sponsorship package, please contact Military & Family Readiness Center at Spangdahlem to connect you with your gaining unit for assistance. Be sure to give them your rank, name, gaining unit, departure date and Report Not Later Than Date. The Spangdahlem M&FRC can be reached at DSN 314-452-6422, Comm: 011-49-6565-61-6422 or by email at: 52FSS.FSH.Center@us.af.mil.

If you travel via a military contract carrier, the "Rotator", you will arrive at the Ramstein Air Base terminal. If traveling via a commercial carrier, you will arrive at Frankfurt Airport. The Frankfurt Airport is about a two to two and a half hour drive from Spangdahlem. Your sponsor may plan to pick you up at the airport or arrange transportation via the base shuttle, 52d Force Support Squadron, Saber Shuttle. You or your sponsor can make the reservation up to 60 days prior to your travel date. Schedule as early as possible because space is limited. Cancellations must be received 24 hours prior to the requested date for Tuesday through Friday and 72 hours prior to the requested date for Saturday through Monday and U.S. holiday travel, otherwise you will be charged for the service (please ask about costs when reserving space). Contact the shuttle office at DSN: 314-452-7684, Comm: 011-49-6565-61-7684 or visit the Airport Shuttle page for more detailed information.

A PSC Box (post office box) can be set up prior to arrival by the sponsor. Simply provide a copy of orders to your sponsor. If you are unable to coordinate for the box set up, mail can be sent to the following address for up to 90 days prior to arrival: Service Member's First Name, Last Name, Unit 3567, General Delivery APO, AE 09123.

Helpful Hints: For information on what can and cannot be shipped to Germany, visit the Post Office website. If you are unsure if something can be shipped please ask. 

Visit the Spangdahlem AB website to access a comprehensive outline of newcomer information regarding your permanent change of station to Germany.