Sponsors instrumental for smooth moves

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Kali L. Gradishar
  • 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey --  Making a permanent-change-of-station move can be difficult no matter where one is moving, but a PCS to Incirlik Air Base, Turkey, is no cookie-cutter adventure. Having a good sponsor can help eliminate potential headaches when preparing for the change in scenery.

Sponsors are the first people to represent the base, unit and the unit's leadership for arriving service members and their families. There are many steps a sponsor can take to ensure that first impression is a good one. Providing important information can help newcomers start off on the right foot for a positive experience throughout the assignment.

One common misconception among many Airmen is the Airman & Family Readiness Center provides sponsors to newcomers and manages the entire sponsor program. In reality, the A&FRC works with the military personnel section and unit sponsorship program monitors to ensure the program is run well. While their true role is to provide training to sponsors designated by individual units, the A&FRC does offer beneficial information for both sponsors and newcomers.

"Sponsorship on this base is very important, which is why we're trying to make it better," said Irma Avery, A&FRC community readiness consultant. "Here specifically, it's harder to PCS because people are moving to a different country with a very different culture."

The most important piece of the sponsor program is the unit leadership, as it is up to individual units to determine how to manage their respective programs. Maintaining trained sponsors is also imperative, as the sponsor provides all pertinent information to the newcomer, leading him or her to the official Incirlik Air Base newcomer's website and providing the Newcomer's Guide.

People planning a PCS to Turkey "need to look at the Newcomer's Guide and really review it," Avery said. "To me, that's the bible of moving here. People should be highlighting sections important to them and asking questions. Everything is in that packet.

"This is the stuff people should know," she added. "It talks about what to bring, what not to bring, considerations for bringing your car or not ... everything you need to know."

As the overseer of sponsorship training, Avery has heard numerous stories about sponsors - both good and bad. She knows of two spouses deported for not having all the information required to obtain visas to stay in Turkey. Another case involves an Airman without a sponsor who arrived at the gate wondering how to get access to the base, she said.

"You get the good ones, and you get the ones" who provide just the basics without consideration of folks who are single, have children, or have other unique circumstances, Avery noted. "It's difficult to match people - single to single or married to married. That's what makes it really important for leadership to also be involved."

If the newcomer doesn't have a sponsor, they should contact their gaining unit to get contact information for a sponsor.

While it is the responsibility of the sponsor to provide pertinent information to newcomers, it is also the responsibility of the newcomers to verify and ask questions if information is unclear or confusing.

The sponsor should provide information and help the newcomer through the PCS process, "you can't expect a sponsor to babysit; you also have to be proactive in finding the information you need," Avery said.

There are certain things a sponsor should consider, though, when communicating with the newcomer. Such considerations include whether the newcomer is married, which might lead the sponsor to provide information on employment or volunteer opportunities for spouses, or has children, which should lead the sponsor to provide information on the childcare options.

If sponsors are uncertain of what information to provide newcomers, Avery is willing to assist.

"There's a website for reminders on sponsor training ... or if people haven't sponsored before, I can walk them through the training," Avery said. "I can provide information more specific to Turkey that the website doesn't provide."

To set an appointment with Avery for sponsorship training, call DSN 676-6755 or visit the A&FRC on the second floor in Bldg. 833.

For additional resources, contact the A&FRC. To view the E-Sponsorship Application and Training, the general sponsorship training information, common access cardholders can visit http://apps.mhf.dod.mil/esat.