USAG Rheinland-Pfalz Kaiserslautern Military Community  Base Essentials

All soldiers and most families arriving in Germany on permanent change of station moves will arrive at the Ramstein Gateway Reception Center via Air Mobility Command's military chartered airlift The Patriot Express. Flights depart from Baltimore/Washington International Airport Air Mobility Command Terminal and arrive at Ramstein Air Base, Germany. United States Army Europe Command Policy requires that all personnel and accompanying family members process through the Ramstein Gateway Reception Center. RGRC staff will be available to guide you through the Gateway process.

If you are a soldier and are scheduled to fly into Frankfurt International Airport instead of Ramstein Air Base, contact your travel office immediately to change your flight to a Patriot Express flight. Not only is it a United States Army Europe policy that soldiers do not fly into FRA during a permanent change of station move, but there is also no support nor oversight at FRA to track your arrival. If you are an exception to this policy and must fly into FRA, please ensure your sponsor is notified of your itinerary to arrange pickup. Upon arrival into Frankfurt, you must report directly to the Ramstein Gateway Reception Center for European Theater in-processing.

Upon arrival soldiers are picked up by their sponsors or unit representatives. Soldiers that are authorized to live off base and soldiers with family members are then brought to lodging. Other single soldiers are brought to the barracks or transient rooms. This is considered day one.

On the second day incoming personnel usually complete their unit in-processing. On the third day newcomers report to the Central Processing Center to receive the in-brief and in-processing schedule. Soldiers are then instructed to attend scheduled training at the In-processing Training Center.

The In-processing Training Center briefs on the following:

• Host Nation Orientation
• Red Cross
• Family Member Misconduct
• Commander’s Welcome
• Exceptional Family Member Program
• Equal Opportunity
• Sexual Harassment
• Army Continuing Education System
• Safety
• DOD Child and Youth Services
• Army Community Service Overview
• Morale, Welfare and Recreation Overview
• Anti-Terrorism / Force Protection
• Emergency Management
• Medical Registration
• AMRAP
• Stars & Stripes
• Dentac
• Vet Services
• Domestic Violence and Child Abuse
• ACS Personal Finance Readiness
• WIC Program
• Religious Services
• Customs
• Commissary
• Passport / Visa / Sofa
• Voting Assistance
• Value Added Tax 
• Inspector General 
• Legal
• CID
• Service Credit Union
• TAP (Service Members Only)
• BOSS/WAQ/Army Sports
• Retention (Service Members Only)
• Recruiting Command (Service Members Only)
• Command Sponsorship (Service Members Only)
• Sponsorship Survey
• Army Wellness Center
• Army Substance Abuse Program 
• Ready and Resilient Campaign 
• Comprehensive Soldier and Family Fitness 
• German Fire Safety
• DES / Provost Marshall and German Polizei

Army Community Service also offers a host orientation tour on select days of the month that includes a city tour of Kaiserslautern while learning about German culture and customs. Bring euros for bus fare and lunch. Call ACS at 011-49-611-143-541-9000 or DSN 314-541-9000 to register.

Never ship important documents in your Household goods.

Never leave anywhere without the following:

• Permanent change of station and family travel orders – at least 3 copies
• Military identification cards for each family member (14 and up MUST have military ID)
• Medical dental and shot records for yourself and your family members
• Official passports for yourself and each of your family members
• Transportation documents
• Household goods/hold baggage documents
• Leave and Earnings Statement.

Additionally, always hand carry the following items:

• Marriage certificates/prenuptial agreements
• Birth certificates of all family members
• Insurance policies, policy numbers, types of insurance and business address
• Previous discharge papers - DD Form 214
• Divorce and annulment papers pertaining to prior marriages
• Death certificates
• Social Security cards for all family members
• Immunization records of all family members
• Citizenship/naturalization papers
• Property deeds, automobile titles and registration
• Wills
• School report cards/education record for all children also individualized education programs
• Church/synagogue records (e.g. baptism, confirmation)
• Names and addresses of credit card companies you have business with
• Savings/checking account books with appropriate mailing addresses
• Statements for saving bonds, certificates of deposit, and stock certificates
• Personal property inventory (include serial numbers)
• Receipts for high-value personal property
• A list of company’s due payments from you during the process of your move to insure payment does not become delinquent.
• Employment records (e.g., electronic resume, letters of recommendation)
• A minimum of three current copies of power of attorney
• Port call and supporting documents
• State and federal tax records
• Proof of Covid-19 Vaccination Status
• Proof of Covid-19 Recovery status if applicable

Temporary Lodging

Work with your Sponsor to make temporary lodging reservations early to ensure accommodations when you arrive. Call the Ramstein Inns Central Reservation at 011-49-6371-45-4920 from the US or DSN 314-480-4920. The lodging facilities are located at Ramstein, Landstuhl and Vogelweh. Ask your Sponsor for help if you need assistance in finding a hotel room off-post, as the garrison covers a very large footprint and your Sponsor is best equipped to provide assistance with selecting an appropriate facility off post.

Command Sponsorship

Concurrent travel orders allow your family members to travel with you to Germany. To have concurrent travel, your family must be granted Command Sponsorship before you move. A request for Command Sponsorship includes having your family members screened for the Exceptional Family Member Program through your current installation hospital or medical clinic. A Department of the Army Form 5888 must be completed and processed before Command Sponsorship is authorized. EFMP screenings are mandatory for all military family members before a permanent change of station move. The installation EFMP Manager is the point of contact for assistance with the DA Form 5888. Without command sponsorship, personnel will not have Overseas Housing Allowance with dependents, families will not be eligible to use the post exchange, commissary, schools and medical care except for emergency only. To request Command Sponsorship after your arrival in Germany may be difficult. The Service Member’s unit or S-1 is the point of contact for Command Sponsorship.

If you get married before you permanent change of station 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.

Please see the above information about the importance of command sponsorship.

In addition to hand carrying important documents you must ensure you pack the appropriate duty uniforms and accessories.