- 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
Moving is a way of life for Service Members and their Families, as well as many DOD Civilians and Contractors.
Resources like Military INSTALLATIONS, Plan My Move, and Military OneSource provide important information to help make moving easier.
However, for many newcomers, a sponsor adds that personal touch.
A sponsor is assigned by a newcomer's gaining unit or DOD civilian agency and helps the newcomer before, during and after a move. They can provide information and referrals to garrison resources.
If you haven't been assigned a sponsor, you can request a sponsor through your new unit or agency. When possible, your sponsor will have similar rank, family status and job duties.
We also recognize that incoming Service Members and Civilian employees aren’t the only people affected by a move. Spouses and children can also receive training to become sponsors.
Overall, the Sponsorship Program aims to do the following:
To help prepare sponsors for success, the Sponsorship Program through the Army Community Service (ACS) Relocation Readiness Program provides training and access to important information and resources.
Roles & Responsibilities
Training
Army Community Service (ACS) part of Stuttgart Family & MWR is responsible for providing sponsorship training through the Relocation Readiness Program. The training is offered to all military branches, DOD Civilians and Contractors. Spouse sponsorship training is also available upon request.
Assignment of Sponsor
Your Unit is responsible for assigning an Official Sponsor or Spouse Sponsor (by request).
The School Liaison Officer (SLO) under Child & Youth Services (CYS) part of Stuttgart Family & MWR is responsible for assigning a Youth Sponsor (by request).
Types of Sponsorship
Official: Official sponsors are Service Members or Civilians who have been assigned as part of their official duty. They may be assigned by unit commanders or the supervisors of civilian agencies. Official sponsors fulfill the duties of providing pre- and post-arrival information and assistance to their assigned newcomers.
Spouse: Spouse sponsors are volunteers who have agreed to provide assistance for arriving spouses. They are trained in sponsorship by the Army Community Service Relocation Readiness Program or by a unit training program and registered in the Voluntary Management Information System (VMIS) as volunteers. Although their duties are not official, spouse sponsors provide valuable information and resources to arriving spouses and may introduce them to their unit’s Family Readiness Group (FRG).
Youth: Youth sponsors provide opportunities to meet current students prior to (online) or upon arrival. Stuttgart Family & MWR Child & Youth Services (CYS), specifically the School Liaison Officer, can assist you with requesting a youth sponsor. Contact your School Liaison Officer directly for more information and assistance.
Sponsorship Training
Sponsorship training is available to all Service Members and Civilian employees who will become a sponsor. Individuals interested in becoming sponsors may request training from their unit or register for monthly ACS Sponsorship Training.
Training information may be found on the Stuttgart Family & MWR calendar or by calling the Army Community Service (ACS) Relocation Readiness Program.
Spouse Sponsorship Training is also available upon request through the Army Community Service Relocation Readiness Program..
