Relocation Readiness Program

Moving is a natural part of life for Soldiers and their Families. The Relocation Readiness Program (RRP) offers a comprehensive personal and family support system designed to help you and your Family make any Permanent Change of Station (PCS) move as smoothly as possible. The mission of RRP is to minimize the stressors of relocation by offering skills and resources to Soldiers and Families that simplify the moving process. We envision quality relocation support for Soldiers and their Families throughout the military career lifecycle.

Relocation Assistance for Fort Benning
Relocation Assistance Program Relocation Readiness Program Manager Kanopsky Avenue Building 2621 Soldiers Plaza Fort Benning, GA 31905 Phone 706-545-4485/0403 Phone (DSN) 312-835-4485 Fax 706-545-2545 Fax (DSN) 312-835-2545 Email Website Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 4:30 pm Saturday and Sunday - closed

Upcoming Newcomer Orientation and Bus Tours:

We offer monthly Newcomer Family Orientations/Tours to introduce newly assigned personnel and their Families to Fort Benning. Groups meet at the Benning Conference Center at 8am and there is free child care provided with pre-registration. Call (706) 545-0403 for more information or to register.

Subprograms

Relocation Counseling

Relocation counseling is provided on an individual or group basis. It is available to both in and outbound personnel with primary focus on pre-departure counseling, relocation planning, and personnel preparing for their first permanent change of station (PCS) move.

Newcomers Orientation and Bus Tour

The Newcomer Orientation assists incoming personnel by providing information about many services available on the installation. Did you know that Columbus was a Navy town before it was an Army town? How about the Mother of the Blues, Ma Rainey lived in Columbus with her family? Or, that President Dwight D. Eisenhower was stationed at Fort Benning during his distinguished military career? These are a few of the little known facts that you will hear about on the Fort Benning/Uptown Columbus Bus Tour.

Lending Closet

The Lending Closet has basic household items available for Soldiers and Families arriving or leaving Fort Benning while their household goods are in transit. Items include basic kitchen equipment, high chairs, car seats, pack-n-plays, sleeping mats, microwaves, ironing boards, irons, and alarm clocks. Items may be borrowed for 30 days. Orders to Fort Benning, an ID card, and a Unit POC are required to check items out.

Multicultural Services

This program offers information on policies, procedures and forms needed for residency and citizenship application. The Relocation Readiness Program works with the Atlanta USCIS District Office to assist clients in effectively using services available to them. United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) appointments are arranged for Family Members, Active Duty Soldiers, eligible Reservists, and Retirees needing further assistance.

Citizenship Support Group

This class offers information on the U.S. government structure and history, and knowledge of American Customs needed for the citizenship test. This class is available to Active Duty Soldiers and their Family Members, Army National Guard Soldiers, and Army Reserve Soldiers. This class also refers students to Citizenship counseling if they need help with USCIS forms or information for obtaining U.S. Citizenship. In order to maximize the understanding of USCIS test and interview a strong-to-intermediate comprehension of English is required. English as a Second Language (ESL) information will be given to students as well.

Overseas Briefings

PCS'ing Overseas? ACS Relocation offers a "Need-to-Know" briefing that should not be missed by single Soldiers and Families alike! Have your questions answered and get way-ahead to make your transition smooth and enjoyable! Representatives from the following organizations will be participating:

• Tricare
• ACS Exceptional Family Member Program
• Passports
• School Liaison
• Transportation
• Claims (JAG)
• ACS Pre-Move Financial Workshop (mandatory for E-4's and below)
• ACS Relocation

Dates: 4th Wednesday of each month.
Location: Building 2626 Soldiers Plaza, 0830-1130.
Seats are limited, so call and reserve you space (706) 545-0403.

Hearts Apart

It is inevitable that throughout a Service Member's career one will be separated from their Families. In some cases, Families choose to move to areas closer to their own Family and friends. Others decide to remain in housing or stay in the immediate area until the Service Member completes his/her unaccompanied tour. Regardless of the circumstance, these types of separations can become quite overwhelming, particularly because Families are left behind without the support network and regular contact that a unit Family Readiness Group (FRG) would otherwise provide.

Army Community Service (ACS) has established the Hearts Apart program. This program offers various support services for those that have a Service Member deployed or serving on an unaccompanied tour. It provides the opportunity to share common concerns, ask questions, as well as participate in social activities.

Sponsorship Training

The US Army established the Total Army Sponsorship Program to assist Soldiers, civilian employees, and Family members during the relocation process. Attendees learn how to be a good sponsor, where to find specific information requested by incoming personnel, and the elements of the sponsorship program. The program is available to Active Duty Army, Army National Guard, Army Reserve, and civilian employees interested in becoming a sponsor.

Digital Welcome Packet

• 2008 Post Guide and Telephone Directory
• Fort Benning Newcomers Guide
• Newcomers Guide to High Schools and Activities
• FMWR Welcome Video
• Fort Benning Schools Video

Resources

• Request a Fort Benning Welcome Packet (sent by mail)
• MilitaryHomefront

Hours & Contact Information

Address	Building 2621, Dixie Road - Soldier's Plaza (view on map)
Phone	(706) 545-4043 / 0403
Hours	Monday thru Friday: 8am - 4:30pm
Email	Contact the Relocation Readiness Program

Programs and Services

While moving is always stressful, your stress can be drastically reduced if you take full advantage of the information, education, and personal assistance provided to you by the Relocation Program. This is the place to find answers and get referral to other installation resources as well as assistance with in-transit emergencies. The most important thing you can do to ensure a smooth move is to start planning early using the many Relocation Assistance program services and tools available.

Individual PCS Planning -- Most relocation programs offer one-on-one consultation for anyone needing assistance. In particular those making their first military move, first overseas move, or those with challenging and complex situations such as special needs family members or financial problems should call the Relocation Program for an appointment.

Military Installations and Plan My Move -- For managing and planning your move, use these two DoD sponsored web-based relocation tools with information on over 250 installations worldwide. You can estimate expenses, find the forms necessary for housing and household goods, keep a calendar of events and take other necessary actions to ensure a successful move.

Loan Closet -- Basic household goods items are available to borrow while waiting for your personal property pre-departure or upon arrival. The typical items in stock include: pots and pans, dishes, silverware, irons, ironing boards, portacribs, high chairs, and infant/toddler car seats. Generally, towels and bed linens are not available, so these should be packed in your hold baggage.

Workshops and Briefings -- The classes offered vary from installation to installation but you can generally find classes on buying, selling and renting smart, budgeting and finance, moving with children, general moving preparation and many other moving related topics.

Pre-departure Briefings -- Sometimes called Smooth Move or PCS Briefings, you and your spouse will want to attend for sure. These briefings provide essential information that can prevent you from making uninformed and costly decisions before your move.

Settling-in Services -- These may include welcome wagon services, local area tours with childcare often provided, or basic household items to use until your goods arrive. Overseas arrival services may include introductory language classes and cultural awareness training.

Deployment Support -- The Family Center assists unit family readiness groups and Ombudsman programs during the entire deployment cycle. Support includes services for special needs, classes on deployment preparation, managing finances, helping children adjust, family separation, return and reunion, and information on resources available locally and on-line.

Foreign Born Spouse Support -- Whether your question concerns immigration and naturalization, learning the English language or how to take local transportation, the Relocation Program provides assistance, classes and referrals.

Emergency Assistance -- From time-to-time emergencies occur while moving, the Relocation Program office has the resources to provide emergency financial assistance and referrals.

Transition Assistance -- This is a mandatory program available to assist personnel and family members when they separate from the military. The Relocation Assistance office will establish your individual transition plan and refer you to all the installation and community resources necessary to complete a successful transition.

Installation Specific Information

The Army Community Services (ACS) Relocation Readiness Program offers comprehensive programs and services to Soldiers and Families arriving at Fort Benning.

Lending Closet -- The lending closet  provides basic housekeeping items for temporary loan to incoming and outgoing families and in other cases determined appropriate. Items include basic kitchen equipment, high chairs, car seats, pac-n-plays ironing boards, irons. Initally the items are loaned out for 30 days, if additional time is required due to delays in household deliveries, requests for extentions are granted in 2 week  increments. Orders to Fort Benning with assigned Unit POC  and a ID cards required to check items out. 

Newcomers Orientation/Bus Tour -- Did you know that Columbus was a Navy town before it was an Army town? How about that, the Mother of the Blues, Ma Rainey lived in Columbus with her family? Or, that President Dwight D Eisenhower was stationed at Fort Benning during his distinguished military career? These are just a few of the little known facts about the Fort Benning and Columbus area, that we'll hear about when you attend Newcomers Orientation and Fort Benning and Uptown Columbus Bus Tour. 

The Utility Coordination Center provides courteous phone to contact area utility companies to initiate service. Deposit requirements are decided by the utility companies and it is based on personal credit history.

Relocation Counseling -- Relocation counseling is provided on an individual or group basis. It is available to both inbound and outbound personnel and with primary focus on pre-departure counseling and relocation planning. Personnel preparing for their first permanent change of station (PCS) move or first overseas PCS.

Sponsorship Training -- Training for unit sponsorship trainers or designated sponsors upon unit requests. The Relocation Program partners with CYS and other organizations on Fort Benning to provide training for youth sponsors. Providing a welcome packet for sponsor to send before personnel arrival.

Citizenship Study Group -- This Study Group is provided in an informal setting, offers information on U.S. government structure and history needed for the citizenship test, United States Citizenship and Immigration  Services (USCIS) interview, and American Customs for Spouses and Family Members. This class also refers students to Citizenship counseling if they need help with United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USClS) forms or information for obtaining U.S. Citizenship. In order to maximize the understanding of USClS test and interview a strong-to-intermediate comprehension of English is required. ESL information will be given to students