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.

eSponsorship training is offered online through Military OneSource. Army Community Service (ACS) offers Sponsorship Training tailored for each community. Training provides information and resources preparing you for an outstanding sponsor.

Shortly after receiving your assignment instructions to Belgium, you will be appointed a sponsor. Your sponsor should make initial contact with you within the next 72 hours and will provide additional information about the command, your job and the community. Helpful resources to use include: a sponsor checklist, a need assessment, understanding your roles and responsibilities as a sponsor, links to Department of Defense resources that help with moving and so much more. If your newcomer has questions you can't answer, Military OneSource is always ready to help 24/7 with information, answer and support. www.MilitaryOneSource.mil  Tel: 800-342-9647

Your service branch may have different requirements or more details about your duties as a sponsor. Be sure to review your branch's sponsorship policy so you can meet expectations.

Your sponsor should schedule your pick up from the airport and arrange Lodging besides other duties. Service members arriving with no sponsor should contact immediately their unit.

The role of sponsor is to help with the transition to a new area, promote readiness and adaptation, and support the overall military mission. A sponsor keeps you informed of programs, services and available resources at your new location so that the transition is as smooth as possible.

Spouse and Youth can be as well a sponsor, but it is on volunteer bases.

For the Youth Sponsorship please contact Child and Youth Services (CYS) and School Liaison Officer (SLO).

Sponsor is the key for your success!