Sponsorship-NB Kitsap-Bangor

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.

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.

Youth Sponsorship Program

Sponsorship is also available for youth. The installation of youth sponsorship programs helps 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.

Other

After you receive final orders to Naval Base Kitsap, your current command will send a message to your new command stating when you will arrive. A sponsor will be assigned and given the contact information about you. You may contact your command/sponsor and ask for a Welcome Aboard Packet. Military One Source is also a great point of contact for information. Your sponsor can provide information on transportation, or your command may arrange for a duty driver. If no duty driver is available and your sponsor is not able to pick you up from the airport, you may ride the Kitsap/Bremerton Airporter Shuttle (360-876-1737). They are located outside of the baggage claim area at gate 00. Check with your sponsor to find out where to get off the airporter shuttle once you arrive in the Bremerton/Bangor area.

Check-in with your housing office if you need family housing. You may start your paperwork as soon as you receive your final orders. When you arrive at Naval Base Kitsap, report directly to your new command, and be sure to do so by the date on your orders. The Duty Office for Naval Base Kitsap is 360-627-4024. Mail enroute should be forwarded to a trusted address until quarters have been arranged.