Don’t stress about a PCS; program helps with moving

  • Published
  • By Air Force Staff Sgt. Sheila deVera
  • JBER Public Affairs
JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska --  In every military career, service members are asked to pack up their families and household goods and make the move to another duty station.

With every permanent change of station, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson's Relocation Readiness Program offers a comprehensive support system to make the transition as smooth as possible.

"The program is designed to ease the stress of the frequent moves the military and their family members are faced with every two or more years," said Anthea Acosta, Army Community Service relocation readiness program manager. "We help people who are in any part of the PCS process - whether they just got their orders, [or they need] information about JBER."

The wide range of services include welcome packets, relocation adjustment workshops, pre-move and post-move workshops for newcomers, immigration information, travel maps, cultural-diversity programs and English-as-a-second-language classes.

"The RRP works with the Anchorage District Office of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to help clients effectively use services available to them," Acosta said. "We help schedule appointments with the USCIS for family members, active duty, eligible Reservists and retirees."

Prior to a big move, service members can use an automated information system, which provides relocation information for all military installations.

"Plan My Move contains specific information about education, employment, housing, relocation services, support services, medical and dental for service members and their families," Acosta said.

"To access the automated information system, members can go to the Military One Source website [www.militaryonesource.mil], which provides more comprehensive services."

These services include relocation pre-planning, directories of services and programs with locations and driving directions on the new installation, and even the ability to see government housing options and floor plans.

The lending closet To help minimize the stress of relocation, the RRP also has a lending closet for newly arrived and outgoing families.

These items include pots and pans, dishes, silverware, irons and ironing boards, toasters, coffee pots, sleeping mats, cribs, high chairs, child car seats and other household items.

"Thirty days is the standard loan term, but we will work with people on an individual basis depending on circumstances," Acosta said.
"When family members arrive here from an overseas location, I already know their household items will not come in for up to three months, so we try to make exceptions to the rule," said lending-closet manager Susie Baty.

Orientation

For those who just arrived at JBER, the RPP offers a Soldier and Family Newcomers' Orientation.
"The joint newcomers'

orientation is an interactive family orientation to welcome and inform newly arrived Soldiers, Airmen and family members
of the resources available at JBER," Acosta added. "The orientation is a one-stop shop for newcomers' information."

The orientation is mandatory for all Army and Air Force service members arriving at JBER, and family members are strongly encouraged to attend.

For more about services provided by the RPP, visit www.elmendorf-richardson.com or www.militaryHOMEFRONT.dod.mil; or call the JBER office at 384-1515 or 552-4943.