We have all heard the stories or maybe have experienced it first hand. Someone gets orders to a new overseas duty station and when they get off the plane there is no one there. They have no idea who to call or where to go. This recently happened to a young family we know and it upset me very much. I never want another family to have to go through what they did so I started researching and found out as much as I could to help you make a smooth move. The key is the Command Sponsorship Program. I know you have also heard about sponsor nightmare stories as well, so I have included ways to make sure this program works for you. Now as we all know that nothing is fool proof, but it is a start in the right direction. Personally when dealing with the military, especially during duty changes, my motto has always been “prepare for the worst, as it will happen!” Really though, sponsorship can be a great experience for both parties. Sponsors make or break the first impression the newcomer has of their new duty station. Normally it is a great experience.

To start off, before you leave your duty station and preferably as soon as you receive your orders you need to sign up for the sponsorship program. There are a few different ways to do this. The first is to go through the relocation offices at your current duty station who will email your new command. The new command will call the Personal/Family Support/Service Center (depending on the branch - we will call it FSC), who will find you a sponsor through your new commands sponsorship coordinator. The second way is for your current command to contact your new command sponsorship coordinator who, with the FSC, will find you a sponsor. The third is that you can call your new command sponsorship coordinator yourself and request a sponsor. And lastly, you can directly call the FSC at you new duty station and they will get you a sponsor (this is your best bet). You can find the number for your FSC in the SITES manual you will receive with your orders. If you don’t receive a SITES manual ask for one!! The SITES manual, although very dull reading contains a lot of information you must have. You will be thankful later that you have read it.

Okay, now that you have a sponsor it is up to them to contact you. If you don’t hear from your sponsor within 2 weeks after you have asked for on and no less than 3 weeks before you are due to move, contact your new duty’s FSC or your current command sponsorship coordinator! Make sure you have a sponsor! It is then up to you to inform them. Make sure your sponsor has a copy of your orders and area clearance - they cannot do anything for you without them! Make sure your sponsor has all of your family members’ names, your rank, status, phone #, address, the date you will arrive, and if you are traveling with pets. This is all important info that your sponsor must have, especially the last two. If they don’t know when your plane is due to land, they can’t be there to get you and make reservations etc. If you are traveling with pets there is a 14 day quarantine and fees for that may go up to or above $275.00. None of the base lodges allow pets of any kind, so your sponsor will have to set up kennel reservations for you. You must also inform the sponsor and your new command of any family changes. I had a baby during our move to okinawa, which seriously affected a lot!

Now that you have done your part and relayed all of your important info, it is time for your sponsor to get to work!

First your sponsor needs to make sure you have a P.O. box so you can forward your mail and send anything you want immediately upon arrival. Then they need to make reservations for your lodging for up to 30 days. They also should set up an appointment for your housing brief so you can sign up for housing ASAP. You should also be registered for the New Comers Orientation, which is mandatory. Having all these things done for you before you arrive will be a tremendous help! Your sponsor also may or may not pick up some groceries for you before you arrive; some may wait for you to get here.

When you arrive, providing you have kept in touch with your sponsor, you will be picked up at the airport by your sponsor in a government vehicle. It is required on okinawa that you be picked up in a government vehicle or you will not receive TLA for your first day on the island. You will then be taken to your hotel. Depending on when you arrive (day, night or weekend), your sponsor will take you to check in and introduce you to your chain of command.

In the days following your arrival your sponsor will be a blessing! They will take you to the FSC or Airmen’s attic for loan locker supplies like pots, pans, dishes, laundry items etc. They will help you to study for and obtain a USFJ drivers license. Remember, the Japanese drive on the left side of the road! Your sponsor will help with car and house hunting as well as helping to enroll any children in school. If Your sponsor has been on okinawa for a while they will be able to help ease some of the culture shock, by teaching you some do’s and don’ts and maybe even a little history. Of course, you will also be taken on a little tour of our beautiful island.

This is what you should expect from your sponsor. The key to a successful move is communication. Stay in contact with your sponsor, as they will be your lifeline when you arrive. If you don’t think your sponsor is handling things for you or if your sponsor has never contacted you, call your FSC and they will either take care of the situation or find you another sponsor.

Although I can’t promise every sponsor will do all these things, I certainly hope they will. This is what is expected of them by the FSC and their command. But remember that you play a major role. If you stay on top of things ,so will your sponsor. I hope these tips will help make your move a smooth one, and I wish you the best on your tour of okinawa. Gambatte!! (good luck!)