It's new assignment season

  • Published
  • By Sarah Olaciregui
  • 66th Air Base Group Public Affairs
HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. --  According to the Airman and Family Readiness Center, for the past several weeks about 10 to 15 Airmen per week have been receiving new assignment notifications and that trend is expected to continue until early spring.

For many Airmen, especially those who may have never moved before, the process can be daunting, but many services are available on base to help the transition be as smooth as possible.

"When the assignment notifications drop into vMPF [virtual Military Personnel Section], A&FRC staff members contact the outbound personnel via e-mail and offer relocation assistance," said Terri O'Keefe, community readiness consultant. "If someone doesn't know where to start after receiving PCS [permanent change of station] orders, they can always start with the A&FRC. Think of us as the center of the wheel or a GPS. We direct people on where to go next and help them along the way."

A plethora of tools are also available online. The Department of Defense developed Plan My Move and its sister program, Military Installations, to help families of all services with comprehensive move and base information. These two relocation programs reside on the Military Homefront and Military OneSource websites.

The Plan My Move site includes moving checklists, phone lists, to do lists, calendars and moving tips. It also offers many customizable services. The Military Installation site offers detailed information about topics important to families, such as housing, child care, schools, recreation and employment.

The Plan My Move and Military Installations sites can be found at planmymove.mhf.dod.mil and www.militaryinstallations.dod.mil. Further information on programs available for those relocating from Hanscom can be found at www.hanscom.af.mil/units/afrc.asp.

Although the websites contain lots of helpful information, it may be hard to surf through the mounds of data, so the A&FRC developed a class, called e-Smooth Move, to help navigate through the sites. The next seminar takes place on Feb. 9 from 11 a.m. to 12 noon at the A&FRC.

On March 16 e-Smooth Move will feature an additional segment from 12 noon to 1 p.m. on "Moving with Kids." Patty Marquis, a licensed independent clinical social worker, will offer practical tips to help parents with children of all ages. Participants can call the center at 781-377-4222 to sign up or gather more information on both seminars.

Transition from one base to the next can also be hard on military children. To help with the process, the A&FRC developed an e-Smooth Move for Kids. In the spring representatives from the center visit the base schools.

"We put on a puppet show, play bingo and also give the children a backpack," said Ms. O'Keefe. "The backpack contains stickers for them to put on their moving boxes, an activity book and journal that they can record friends' contact information and highlights from their journey."

But, A&FRC isn't the only stop for an Airman on the move. Stops at Finance, Military Personnel Section, Government Housing Office, Joint Personal Property Shipping Office and even the veterinary clinic help complete outprocessing or answer questions.

Tech Sgt. Adolphus Hardy, assistant chief of the Financial Services Comptroller Flight, said that while most PCS tasks are accomplished online, anyone may stop by the Finance office for help.

"Airmen can stop by and request advance pay no earlier than 30 days prior to departure," he said. "We will also check to make sure the member doesn't have any unsettled travel claims or outstanding travel debts. After checking these items, we can sign the outprocessing checklist."

Finance can also answer any questions about entitlements and explain the differences between the new Controlled Spend Account and old government travel card.

"Although basic functionality remains the same, a traveler's credit limit is no longer based on credit worthiness," he said. "It's now based on the monetary estimate set by travel orders."

Another important consideration after receiving orders is where to live. Maria Ynostroza or Joanne Doucette at the Government Housing Office can help outbound personnel start their search for a new place at their next duty station. With a copy of assignment orders, the housing office can forward an application for housing to the gaining installation. Housing can be reached at 781-377-3387 or 781-377-3785.

For community rental listings, personnel can use the Automated Housing Referral Network at www.ahrn.com.

Although not a requirement, if Airmen are interested in learning about various laws in the state they are moving to, they can visit the Legal office. The office's phone number is 781-377-2361.

For families with pets, stopping by the veterinary clinic is also a good idea.

"If animals will be flying on a plane, an Airman or a member of their family, can stop by the clinic to pick up a health certificate at least 10 days before leaving," said Rachel Zdon, the office manager at Hanscom's vet clinic. "If the Airman will be moving overseas, it is best to stop in the clinic as soon as possible to find out the requirements for taking a pet to another country. Each country has its own special requirements."

Ms. Zdon also suggests an Airman pick up a pet's health certificate even if the family will be driving to their next assignment.

"It's not required to have a health certificate to drive with a pet from place to place, but it's best to have one to prove the pet is healthy in case something happens," she said.

For questions, call 781-377-3266 to reach the veterinary clinic.

Hanscom's Military Personnel Section can also assist with a new assignment. As of Jan. 21, the assignment process has gone virtual, but the MPS is still there to help.

"The MPS will still generate the outprocessing checklists and conduct the final outprocessing briefings for all personnel with assignments," said Tech. Sgt. Ryan Norton, NCOIC of career development at the MPS.

Anyone with questions about the new assignment process can call the MPS at 781-377-2343.

Another important step in the process is to contact the Joint Personal Property Shipping Office. Representatives at Hanscom's JPPSO assist Airmen with shipping their household goods to the next destination. While orders are needed to arrange for shipments, Lori Keys and Kelly Bolden are available to answer questions. To reach JPPSO, call 781-377-5330.

In addition, many installations now have School Liaison Officers who help parents make the transition to a new school a little easier and provide information on local procedures and resources. Hanscom parents can start with Lisa Pizarro at 781-377-8874.

"There are so many organizations across the base that can help an Airman get off to his or her next assignment," said Ms. O'Keefe. "Just ask and we'll point you in the right direction."