To command sponsor or not to command sponsor

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Stephen Linch
  • 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England --  Airmen with dependants who permanent change of station to RAF Lakenheath or those whose dependant status changes while here have a choice to make - to command sponsor or not to command sponsor.

The intent of the program is to maximize mission readiness and provide a high quality of life to members and their dependants.

"Command sponsorship is a program that is run overseas to support dependants," said Airman 1st Class Djuana Graves, 48th Force Support Squadron career development technician and native of Brooklyn, N.Y. "It is important, because if you have someone here who is not command sponsored, you may not get entitlements for them,"

According to Graves, these entitlements cover everything from visas, plane tickets for official travel, medical entitlements such as Tricare enrollment and other entitlements.

There really isn't any reason not to command sponsor one's dependants. The process is simple, takes two to three weeks and ensures Airmen receive entitlements that improve quality of life for their family, Graves said.

Though the process only takes a few weeks, there has been some confusion as to how the process works.

"Some people assume once a dependent is enrolled in DEERS (Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System,) they are automatically command sponsored, but that is not the case," said Staff Sgt. Jamie Chaplin, 48th FSS relocation NCO in charge and native of Beaufort, S.C.

To apply for command sponsorship, Airmen need to visit the manpower and personnel flight customer service to enroll their dependants in DEERS and then apply for command sponsorship at 48th FSS career development section on the second floor of the 48th Fighter Wing Liberty Center.

"The command sponsorship process is very important and we are here to help the Airmen and their dependents in any way we can," Chaplin said.

For more information about command sponsorship call the career development section at DSN 226-3939 or Comm: 01638 52 3939. The Military Personnel Section is open to walk-in customers from 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Mon, Tue, Wed and Fri as well as from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Thu. MPS support is available from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30p.m. as appointment only.