- Pre-Arrival information: Installations and surrounding areas provide information through Military OneSource, which also provides links to military installations.
- Plan My Move: The Plan My Move pages on Military OneSource simplify the moving process. You can create a customized calendar based on your needs and schedule, and find driving directions and information about entitlements and out-of-pocket costs, schools and other local community resources.
- Household Goods Lending Closet: Installations keep basic household items for you to borrow for up to 30 days to help you get settled. At a minimum, you’ll find things like basic kitchenware, high chairs, irons, ironing boards, play pens and transformers if appropriate.
- Post-Move Newcomer Orientation: Provides information about your new installation, including housing, education, healthcare, and more.
- Welcome Packet: Most installations will provide you with a welcome packet that has maps (both on- and off-post) and important local contact information.
- Individual Counseling: Your Relocation Readiness Program Manager can address specific issues with you one-on-one and give guidance and suggestions to help resolve any problems that may come along with your move.
- Sponsor: A sponsor is somebody from a Soldier’s new unit who is specially trained to help you settle into your new location. Most installations also have a Youth Sponsorship Program through Child and Youth Services.
- Citizenship and Immigration Services: Your Relocation Readiness Program Manager can act as a liaison when Families seek guidance on the citizenship and residency application process.
- Host Nation Orientation: Can help you better understand the local culture, language, transportation, and tourism offerings.
- Re-Entry Workshops: Provided for transferees returning from overseas to the U.S. You’ll get information about the PCS process and procedures, finance entitlements, shipping household goods, port call, Family travel, legal assistance for claims, and shipping your automobiles and pets.
- Foreign Language and Foreign Cultural Information: You can borrow foreign language CDs and Rosetta Stone Learner Online to learn the language of the country where you will reside overseas. Army Community Service (ACS) centers located overseas can help you translate bills and letters and may also offer language classes of the host nation.
- Mandatory Overseas Orientations: If you’re making a PCS overseas (Europe or Pacific), this workshop focuses on everything you’ll need to know about life overseas, including geography, climate, government, economy, language, recreation, family life, food, customs, and courtesies.
- Hearts Apart (Waiting Families Program): If you or your spouse are serving an unaccompanied restricted PCS tour or extended temporary duty assignment (TDY), this support group discusses stresses and concerns, and shares coping skills.
- Services for Multicultural Families: Provide information, assistance and support to all foreign-born spouses. There are also group activities like cooking classes, arts and crafts, and language classes.
- Find information about your new installation
- Have you been assigned as a Sponsor?
Moving is a part of life for Soldiers, civilian government employees and their Families. The Army Community Service Relocation Readiness Program is here to help with a comprehensive support system, whether it’s your first move or the last of many. We have all kinds of information and resources to help you and your family navigate your next military move.
Your first stop should be your local Army Community Service to meet with a Relocation Readiness Program Manager who can get you started.
Other Relocation Readiness Program resources include:
If you’re moving to an installation outside the continental United States (OCONUS), we have special relocation resources for you, including:
We also have support groups that offer special help if you need it:
More helpful links:
