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.

Sponsors are assigned to inbound personnel by their gaining unit upon receipt of an assignment notification. Your sponsor should make contact with you by phone, mail, or email. If provided a copy of your orders, your sponsor can obtain a mailbox and arrange your temporary lodging. Please provide your sponsor with a contact number in case of an emergency. If you need sponsorship assistance, please contact your gaining Command Support Staff. For other sponsorship questions, please call the Military & Family Readiness Center at DSN 315-225-8726.

Sponsors are able to pick you up and greet you if you fly into Narita International Airport or Haneda International Airport, Tokyo or the Yokota Air Base Passenger Terminal via the Patriot Express. Sponsors can contact their First Sergeant for a memo securing a courtesy voucher, which allows the sponsor to travel on the shuttle for free (this is only available for the sponsor). Further information about airport shuttles can be found here: https://yokota374fss.com/vehicle-operations/. Please follow instructions at the terminal for transportation to Yokota Air Base Kanto Lodge. Contact your sponsor if traveling with a pet as some restrictions may apply. Most newcomers arrive at the Yokota Air Base Passenger Terminal via the Patriot Express where you will be required to clear customs and claim your luggage.

Yokota-specific sponsorship classes are offered once a month at the Military and Family Readiness Center.