Good sponsorship starts with you

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Patrick R. Hyde
  • 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey --  Sponsorship of an incoming Airman or family is a big responsibility. Helping new personnel transition to their new home can be very challenging.

To help with this challenge, Jodie Parker, 39th Mission Support Squadron community readiness consultant, is here to help. As lead for the sponsorship program, she is dedicated to helping Incirlik feel like home to newly assigned Airmen.

"As a sponsor, you are the first impression of Incirlik Air Base and your unit. You represent your commander, first sergeant, supervisor and fellow Airmen," said Ms. Parker.

Sponsor representatives need to be trained annually and must keep the training current if they want to continue sponsoring incoming personnel. Sponsorship training is mandatory if there has been no previous formal training before.

"Sponsorship training can be provided within the unit or at the Airman and Family Readiness Center," said Ms. Parker. "Sponsorship training will be provided in a forum to meet the needs of each unit - anytime-anyplace."

Incirlik recently transitioned from informational paper sponsorship packets to an online informational package to cut down on mailing costs and paper manufacturing. This has been in-place for a little over a year. It helps to get the information to the incoming Airman a bit faster than the conventional way of mailing information out.

"A key aspect of being a good sponsor is understanding the needs of the newcomer and providing them with the resources to meet those needs," said Ms. Parker.

The AFRC can help find information that your new member is seeking. For more information on the Incirlik sponsorship program go to the Military Homefront site at www.militaryhomefront.com. The site offers the most current information on any base referenced.

Being a good sponsor takes integrity, pride and a good attitude. All sponsors are a representation of the base they are assigned.

"Be a positive role model and don't dwell on any negative factors, but talk up the good things Incirlik has to offer. We all have to work together to make the sponsorship program a great experience," said Ms. Parker.

Call your unit community readiness consultant to make an appointment for a sponsorship briefing or for more information about sponsorship.