Sponsorship
Moving is a way of life for service members and their families. Resources like MilitaryINSTALLATIONS, Plan My Move, and Military OneSource provides important information to help make moving easier. For many newcomers, a sponsor can help add that personal touch.
A sponsor is assigned by a newcomer’s gaining unit and helps the newcomer before, during, and after a move. If you haven’t been assigned a sponsor, you can request one through your new unit. Units try to match sponsors and service members by rank and family status.
Youth Sponsorship Program
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.
Families with children may also want to visit Military Kids Connect, an online community for military children and youth. The site offers games, videos, and links to teen-led installation tours.
Sponsorship Program
To help prepare sponsors for success, the Sponsorship Program provides training and access to important information and resources that can help newcomers master their moves. 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 the 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.
Other
The goal of the sponsorship program is to facilitate a smooth transition and assimilation into the new command. Having a sponsor in Coronado is critical to assist you throughout your permanent change of station move. Your sponsor is an important link to information regarding your specific needs in the San Diego area. If you have not been assigned a sponsor or have not heard from your sponsor, contact your new command to request one (see Major Unit Listings).
Some commands have a difficult time finding contact information, so make sure your Navy Standard Integrated Personnel System information is updated with your current email and cellphone number. Once assigned, be sure to ask your sponsor about your command’s specific check-in policy, Welcome Aboard information, etc. This is especially important if you will be checking in while the command is deployed.
Don’t forget to ask your sponsor about options for forwarding your mail while you are en route, or ask your local post office about holding and forwarding your mail.
