Relocation Readiness Program

Moving is a part of life for Soldiers, Civilian Government Employees and their Families. The Army Community Service Relocation Readiness Program is here to help with a comprehensive support system, whether it’s your first move or the last of many. We have all kinds of information and resources to help you and your Family navigate your next military move.

Your first stop should be your local Army Community Service Center to meet with a Relocation Readiness Program Specialist who can get you started.

Moving is a part of life for Soldiers and their Families. The Relocation Readiness Program (RRP) provides assistance to military personnel, civilian employees and Family members who will be moving to the Fort Jackson/Columbia community and those relocating to other military installations. Our mission is to minimize the stress of relocation by offering information, skills and resources to service members, civilian employees and Family members that will simplify the moving process. If Fort Jackson is your first assignment in the Army, please contact us, by email, usarmy.jackson.93-sig-bde.mbx.jackson-acs@mail.mil, or phone, +1 (803)751-5256 for guidance on your PCS move. We are here to help you! View additional information: Newcomer Trifold (pdf)

MilitaryINSTALLATIONS and Plan My Move are two new helpful features from Military OneSource to provide you with the tools to successfully plan your next move. MilitaryINSTALLATIONS is an automated information system designed to provide relocation information on all military installations.  Specific information contained in MilitaryINSTALLATIONS are: sponsorship opportunities at the new location; moving costs and entitlements, including shipment of household items such as vehicles and pets; housing options and assistance including home buying, selling, and renting; financial management; childcare; supports for new or single parents; support for foreign born spouses; local health care providers; area schools and educational support services; spouse employment and volunteer opportunities; immigration resources; installation check-in/check-out procedures; and services for family members with special needs.

Welcome Packets: Click Electronic Welcome Packet to receive an electronic welcome packet document.

To learn more about surrounding communities visit Experience Columbia SC and Columbia Chamber of Commerce.

“Plan My Move” allows you to create a customized step-by-step checklist tailored to the unique needs you or your Family may have.

Military OneSource is provided by the Department of Defense at no cost to active duty, Guard and Reserve (regardless of activation status) and their families. It is a virtual extension of installation services.

Military OneSource website also provides the following services:

• Learn how to use and customize the “Plan My Move” Calendar for relocation pre-planning,
• Obtain directories of services and programs with locations and driving directions on installations worldwide,
• Find the facts on entitlements and allowances and calculating out-of-pocket costs,
• Research local community resources including cost of living differentials, affordability calculators, access to rental and home purchase information,
• See Government housing options and floor plans,
• Learn how to choose the right school and how to enroll your child in their new school.

Also visit Military OneSource for official Military Community and Family Policy (MC&FP) program information, policy and guidance designed to help troops and their families, leaders, and service providers. Whether you live the military lifestyle or support those who do, you'll find what you need!

Newcomer's Orientation: Post Newcomer's Orientation is held the first Thursday of each month. Location and starting time will be provided to service members and Department of Army Civilians (DAC’s) upon in-processing. A representative of the Command Group will open the orientation with a personal welcome. The Post Newcomer’s Orientation is mandatory for all Soldiers and required for all civilians arriving to Fort Jackson. Spouses are encouraged to attend. This will be a great opportunity for spouses to receive first-hand information about the valuable resources available on and around Fort Jackson. For additional information call ACS at +1 (803)751-5256 option 3 or email usarmy.jackson.93-sig-bde.mbx.jackson-acs@army.mil.  For schedule, view https://jackson.armymwr.com/download_file/view/3fc23bde-f035-463c-a0f0-b5f9bdecff53/8723.

Lending Closet: The Lending Closet provides basic household items for temporary loan to incoming and outgoing Families. Items include cookware, dinnerware, silverware, irons and ironing boards, toasters, coffee-pots, sleeping mats and other items. Initially the items are loaned out for 30 days, if additional time is required due to delays in household deliveries; requests for extensions may be granted in two-week increments. Orders to Fort Jackson is required to check out items. We do not provide furniture, bed linens, pillows or towels. DAC’s are eligible to utilize the Lending Closet. Visit Lending Closet Items (pdf) to view items.

Relocation Counseling: Individual counseling is provided to Soldiers and their Families who are new to Fort Jackson. First-term Soldiers and their Families are encouraged to set up appointments for individual counseling. Counseling will address specific issues and guidance and suggestions will be provided to help resolve problems associated with moving to Fort Jackson. A needs assessment will be conducted first to determine the needs of the individual requesting counseling. A follow up will be conducted to ensure client’s needs have been met. The following will be addressed during the counseling:

• Fort Jackson Welcome Packet,
• Brief on ACS programs to include Lending Closet,
• PCS allowances and entitlements,
• Housing options,
• Childcare and school/education options,
• In-processing requirements.

Appointments can be made by calling +1 (803)751-5256 option 3 or email usarmy.jackson.93-sig-bde.mbx.jackson-acs@army.mil.

Sponsorship Program: Relocation can be mentally and emotionally demanding, expensive and time consuming. Settling into your new location and your new unit takes advanced preparation. A sponsor is someone from your new unit who is assigned to assist you with settling into your new location.

IAW AR 600-8-8, the Total Army Sponsorship Program shall be executed to the fullest extent possible making it mandatory for Soldiers in the rank of E1-E6, WO1-CW2, and O1-O3 and for all DAC’s to participate in the Army Sponsorship Program. Family members who transition without their sponsor (e.g., deployments, extended training, etc.) will also be offered sponsorship through the Hearts Apart Program.

Requesting a Sponsor: The Total Army Sponsorship Program (TASP) is now accessible in Army Career Tracker (ACT) to assist Soldiers during the transition to their new installation for assignment. Commanders now have the ability to guarantee the successful assignment of individuals through the streamlined Sponsorship process found only in ACT. TASP ensures that incoming Soldiers are assigned Sponsors prior to reporting to their new installation. Obtaining a Sponsor reduces stress of reporting to a new unit, enhances resiliency and improves readiness among Soldiers and Family members.

If you have requested a sponsor but have not received one, call +1 (803)751-5578 or email usarmy.jackson.imcom-hq.mbx.dhr-sponsorship@army.mil.

There is a Youth Sponsorship Program on Fort Jackson. Youth Sponsorship is a way to match up relocating military youth with youth already living in Columbia. Sponsors will answer their questions, send them information, give them a tour once they arrive, and assist them in making new friends. No one knows a place better from a military youth's perspective than one already living there. To request a youth sponsor, call the School Liaison Officer, +1 (803)751-6150.

Sponsorship Training: The Total Army Sponsorship training is a mandatory training program implemented to educate appointed Sponsors how to effectively sponsor newcomers arriving the unit, installation and community. Educating and training appointed Sponsors helps alleviate and eliminate some stresses associated with constant moving in the military.

Total Army Sponsorship Training is conducted upon in-processing Army Community Service (ACS) at Fort Jackson. All Soldiers are required to in-process ACS. Upon completion, a certificate of completion will be provided for permanent party personnel to present to their unit upon in-processing.

In-Processing: To in-process Fort Jackson, all permanent party Soldiers are to report to Room 200, 5450 Strom Thurmond Boulevard, during the hours of 0730-1700, Monday thru Friday. (NOTE: The in-processing office is closed on Federal holidays and the 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month from 1330-1700.)

Soldiers In-Processing with an Approved Permissive Temporary Duty Authorization (PTDY):

Soldiers with an approved administrative absence for house hunting must visit the supporting Army Housing Office before deciding to rent, lease, or purchase housing.

NOTE: Soldiers are not authorized to have administrative absences that takes them past their report date. Failure to do so results in a Soldier being charged leave for the entire period.

In-Processing After Hours:

All Permanent Party Soldiers arriving at Fort Jackson, regardless of rank, must report to their unit of assignment or contact their sponsor when reporting after 1700 (Monday-Friday), and on weekends/federal holidays.

Newly arriving Permanent Party Soldiers without sponsor and assignment orders not reflecting unit of assignment, must report to the Front Desk at the IHG/Fort Jackson Inn, 7550 Benning Road, to end their PCS or administrative absence.

The Soldier will report to Building 5450 Strom Thurmond Boulevard, Room 200 (2^nd Floor) at 0800 on the next duty day to begin in-processing. Upon checking-in to Room 200, Soldiers will be provided with the time and location of Post Newcomer's Orientation. Soldiers must bring the following forms to in-process Fort Jackson, SC: copy of leave form and orders.

All Soldiers must be in uniform to in-process. The duty uniform at Fort Jackson, SC is ACUs. Be sure you have enough uniforms with you to begin duty after in-processing. Family Members in-processing with service members or arriving at a later date should check-in with ACS, 9810 Lee Rd., +1 (803)751-5256 option 3 or email usarmy.jackson.93-sig-bde.mbx.jackson-acs@army.mil. 

Incoming Department of Army Civilians should report IAW guidance provided by the Civilian Personnel Advisory Center (CPAC).

Foreign Born Spouse Services: Information, assistance and support are provided for all foreign-born spouses. Emails are sent to all foreign-born spouses from information provided by Soldiers during in-processing. Information provided includes English as a Second Language (ESL) classes/resources, citizenship and immigration, and much more.  

Citizenship and Immigration: Fort Jackson USCIS services for military and Family members has been reduced due to USCIS Field Office limited resources. Service requests are directed to the USCIS Contact Center, which can be reached by phone +1 (800) 375-5283 or online at uscis.gov.

The USCIS Contact Center provides a pathway to get consistent, accurate information and answers to immigration case questions. You can call the USCIS Contact Center to get live help Monday through Friday from 0800-2000 Eastern Standard Time, except on federal holidays. If the USCIS Contact Center is not able to assist, the Contact Center will then schedule you to go to the appropriate Field Office for assistance.

If you have any problems contacting USCIS or need further assistance, please call ACS at +1 (803)751-5256 option 3. 

Relocation Counseling: Individual counseling is provided to Soldiers and their Families who are departing Fort Jackson due to a PCS move. Counseling will address specific issues and guidance. Whether the Soldier and/or Family member need to vent or discuss the current situation for stress relief, or more extensive discussion is needed on a wide array of topics, i.e., schools, housing, and employment, counseling is available from ACS. Suggestions will be provided to help resolve problems associated with the PCS move. A needs assessment will be conducted first to determine the needs of the individual requesting counseling. A follow up is conducted to ensure a client’s needs were met. The following will be addressed:

• “MilitaryINSTALLATIONS” electronic welcome packet for the military installation you are relocating to,
• Discuss PCS orders,
• Create and customize a moving calendar with “Plan My Move,”
• Connect with important installation agencies,
• Understand out-processing requirements,
• Information on obtaining a sponsor at new installation.

Appointments can be made by calling +1 (803)751-5256 option 3 or email usarmy.jackson.93-sig-bde.mbx.jackson-acs@army.mil.

Relocating with Children: Whether it's your first move or one of many with children, we can help.  The Relocation Readiness Program has various age-appropriate travel items such as: atlases, travel games, coloring books, language CDs/Books, etc.  Please call +1 (803)751-5256 option 3, or email usarmy.jackson.93-sig-bde.mbx.jackson-acs@army.mil to make an appointment.

MilitaryINSTALLATIONS and Plan My Move, are two new helpful features from Military OneSource to provide you with the tools to successfully plan your next move. MilitaryINSTALLATIONS is an automated information system designed to provide relocation information on all military installations.

Welcome Packets: Visit MilitaryINSTALLATIONS for an electronic welcome packet. Military OneSource is provided by the Department of Defense at no cost to active duty, Guard and Reserve (regardless of activation status) and their Families. It is a virtual extension of installation services. Visit Military OneSource today at or call +1 (800) 342-9647.

Military OneSource website also provides the following services:

• Learn how to use and customize the “Plan My Move” Calendar for relocation pre-planning,
• Obtain directories of services and programs with locations and driving directions on installations worldwide,
• Find the facts on entitlements and allowances and calculating out-of-pocket costs,
• Research local community resources including cost of living differentials, affordability calculators, access to rental and home purchase information,
• See Government housing options and floor plans,
• Learn how to choose the right school and how to enroll your child in their new school.

Also visit Military OneSource for official Military Community and Family Policy (MC&FP) program information, policy and guidance designed to help troops and their Families, leaders, and service providers. Whether you live the military lifestyle or support those who do, you'll find what you need!

Stateside Levy Briefing: This briefing is optional but very beneficial for Soldiers and Family members making a stateside PCS move and is completed electronically. Information provided includes PCS process and procedures, financial entitlements, shipping household goods, Family travel, legal assistance for claims and shipment of POV and pets.

Overseas Levy Briefing: This briefing is mandatory for Soldiers and Family members moving overseas and is completed electronically. Information provided includes PCS process and procedures, financial entitlements, shipping household goods, port calls, Family travel, legal assistance for claims and shipment of POV and pets.

Lending Closet: The lending closet provides basic household items for temporary loan to incoming and outgoing families and in other cases determined appropriate. Items include cookware, dinnerware, silverware, irons and ironing boards, toasters, coffee-pots, sleeping mats, and other items. Initially the items are loaned out for 30 days, if additional time is required due to delays in household deliveries; requests for extensions may be granted in two-week increments. Orders are required to check out items. We do not provide bed linens, pillows or towels. Lending Closet Items (pdf).

Foreign Language & Foreign Cultural Information: The Relocation Readiness Program provides resources for Soldiers and Families to obtain information on the country where they will reside overseas. Cultural information is provided during the overseas briefing to assist those moving overseas. Cultural information includes population, language, religion, general attitudes, personal appearance, customs and courtesies, lifestyle, government, education and economy.

Hearts Apart (Formerly “Waiting Families”): The Hearts Apart Program provides support and information to Families residing on post or in the surrounding community who are living separately from the military/civilian sponsor because of mission requirements. Information is provided to connect and update families about what is happening on Fort Jackson and the surrounding community. For information or to sign up contact us at +1 (803) 751-5256 option 3, email usarmy.jackson.93-sig-bde.mbx.jackson-acs@army.mil, or on Facebook.