MARINE CORPS AIR GROUND COMBAT CENTER TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. -- Combat Center Marines, sailors and their family members attended an overseas connection brief at the Village Center Jan. 8, 2014, where vital information regarding overseas transfers was discussed.
“Moving overseas while in the military isn’t common knowledge,” said David Petrovich, relocation assistance program manager, Marine Corps Community Services. “Attending these briefs will answer most questions people have. We are here to make the move as easy as possible.”
The brief is offered once a month aboard the Combat Center and is open to service members and family scheduled to travel overseas.
The orientation covers areas such as orders, moving household goods, and transporting of pets. It also covers the Personal Sponsorship Program, which allows service members to contact a representative from their new unit, previous to their arrival, get information about their next duty station and coordinate arrivals.
“I would have never guessed that so much goes into moving overseas,” said Lance Cpl. Daniel Hernandez, mortarman, 3rd Battalion, 4th Marines, 1st Marine Division. “This is a wake-up call.”
Representatives from the American Red Cross, Installation Personnel Administration Center, the School Liaison Office and the Traffic Management Office also attended the brief to inform service members of their respective roles, and how they can assist service members embarking on their transition overseas.
According to Petrovich, the overseas orientation brief is held on the first Wednesday of every month. If someone cannot make the brief, they may contact the relocation assistance program office and a representative will meet with the person scheduled to transition overseas.
“I recommend this brief to anyone who is going to Japan, Europe or Hawaii,” said Hernandez. “All of my questions were answered and they pointed me in the right direction.”
The next brief is scheduled for Feb. 5.
For more information about the overseas connection brief, call 830-6540. Service members or family members may also contact their unit command staff, family readiness officer or their unit sponsorship coordinator for assistance.