Command Sponsorship

[sara80 17]

I searched if I could find an answer throughout the forum but couldn't find exactly an answer to my case.

My fiance', soon to be husband, is in the AirForce and based in Anchorage, AK. He was trying to get info on what to do/show at work after we get married. He was told that it would be better if I could get "command sponsorship" since Alaska is officially considered "Overseas" altho it is still US (doh, this confuses me sooo much!)

His supervisors said that to get it I would need to be an AK resident or perhaps it'd be enough having an AK driving license..

To be honest, to me, it all sounds so confusing so was wondering if any of you knows more and could enlighten us? Thank you all!

[SweetDelish 38]

I hope someone else answers you Sara, I'm just trying to get the conversation started for you.. I'm still not that clued up on military procedures, but I don't think you need command sponsorship for Alaska. I'm going to Hawaii, my fiance is military, Hawaii is also considered "overseas", he adds me to his .. whatever he adds me to.. just as if it were a regular USA base, I only have an inkling about this, as we are then PCS'ing to South Korea, in which he is going to request command sponsorship for me.

[sara80 17]

I hope someone else answers you Sara, I'm just trying to get the conversation started for you.. I'm still not that clued up on military procedures, but I don't think you need command sponsorship for Alaska. I'm going to Hawaii, my fiance is military, Hawaii is also considered "overseas", he adds me to his .. whatever he adds me to.. just as if it were a regular USA base, I only have an inkling about this, as we are then PCS'ing to South Korea, in which he is going to request command sponsorship for me.

Thanks SweetDelish for your answer! I haven't got a clue either. This is what his supervisor told him. Tho he might not have a clue either!! LOL. Still got some time to think about this but I'd rather know what to do etc. My fiance' was told that once we marry he could get an extra cheque (extra money would be good considering how expensive AK is - is Hawaii expensive??), and this is what, apparently, requires all this stuff. To me it doesnt make much sense, but I am not an expert either...

[clive7832 2]

inorder to get a command sponsorship you have to be married not just to be a fiancee i believe that.

[sara80 17]

inorder to get a command sponsorship you have to be married not just to be a fiancee i believe that.

Yes, I know that. We are getting married on 10th November. I was trying to get info on what needs to be done after our marriage.

[SweetDelish 38]

Thanks SweetDelish for your answer! I haven't got a clue either. This is what his supervisor told him. Tho he might not have a clue either!! LOL. Still got some time to think about this but I'd rather know what to do etc. My fiance' was told that once we marry he could get an extra cheque (extra money would be good considering how expensive AK is - is Hawaii expensive??), and this is what, apparently, requires all this stuff. To me it doesnt make much sense, but I am not an expert either...

yes thats right, he gets paid extra, he will get 2 extra cheques - if its the same as army, which I think it is - he gets extra COLA and extra BAH. And Hawaii is considered expensive too, you also get your ID card that allows you to shop at the PX (again, I think its the same as army) there was a thread recently about being added to DEERS - I think thats what he needs to do. my fiance is pretty clued up on this stuff and knows what he needs to do, I'd ask him, but hes on training at the moment in San Antonio and barely have a chance to talk to him. someone who has done it here should respond soon.

I'm fairly sure that command-sponsorship is just for true overseas assignments, like.. South Korea, Japan, Germany etc. I think.

[AF-Wife 181]

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20110924064917AAabOpA

http://armywife101.com/2010/04/command-sponsorship-efmp-screenings-for-overseas.html

http://community.babycenter.com/post/a34749328/hawaii_command_sponsorship

http://www.militarysos.com/forum/military-moves-relocation/424900-do-i-stilll-need-command-sponsorship-if.html

That should give you the answers, you are looking for. I looked up Hawaii, because its the same situation as Alaska. Both 'overseas' in the military. In order to get paid as a married person (extra money for housing and living) you need to be on his orders meaning command sponsored.

Edited October 1, 2012 by AF-Wife

[SweetDelish 38]

well there you go.. I did say I was a bit clueless! hehe. Good to know though..

[sara80 17]

Thanks! I forwarded the links to my fiance, he hopefully understands this better than I do!!

So now, its almost clear I have to be added on his command sponsorship in order to get the extra money for housing and living expenses. Now comes the extra confusion!!

On all the links it seems to be already married people, while we are getting married next month. Does anyone know what the "procedure" to get added is? His boss was talking about the requirements of being an Alaskan Resident and probably having to go thro some further medical visits. I arrive this saturday with a K1 visa, I will apply for SSN in a couple of wks (hoping they will issue one asap!), we get married in November and assuming we will manage to send all the paperwork for AOS by end of November/beg of December. How soon will I become a resident in Alaska?

Is there someone who got through getting added on CS starting from a K1 visa?

Thanks again for anyone taking their time to answer

[We Keep Receipts 9,238]

Thanks! I forwarded the links to my fiance, he hopefully understands this better than I do!!

So now, its almost clear I have to be added on his command sponsorship in order to get the extra money for housing and living expenses. Now comes the extra confusion!!

On all the links it seems to be already married people, while we are getting married next month. Does anyone know what the "procedure" to get added is? His boss was talking about the requirements of being an Alaskan Resident and probably having to go thro some further medical visits. I arrive this saturday with a K1 visa, I will apply for SSN in a couple of wks (hoping they will issue one asap!), we get married in November and assuming we will manage to send all the paperwork for AOS by end of November/beg of December. How soon will I become a resident in Alaska?

Is there someone who got through getting added on CS starting from a K1 visa?

Thanks again for anyone taking their time to answer

Hello Sara,

It's really simple, all they need is a copy of your marriage certificate. Once they have that, they will add you to his list of dependents(in the Navy we call it the Page 2). Then you will get a spouse ID card and go from there. If you need any more help, you can PM me. Congrats:)

[AF-Wife 181]

Of course all those people are already married, that's the first step. Second, you have to let the military know of you being his spouse. That means getting added to DEERS. Your fiancé knows what that is. Bring your passport and your marriage certificate. Then, the links I send you come into play ...

[Scott and Mhay 57]

It is really simple like they said, once you get married, take the marriage certificate to the Military Personnel Flight (MPF). You will need your passport with your I-94 in it. They will make copies of everything and then you will be enrolled into DEERS and given an ID card. Make sure to get your SSN as soon as you can after you arrive or you will have to wait for your adjustment of status for the SSN. You will need a SSN to stay enrolled into DEERS, but they should be able to load you into DEERS and it will assign you a tempory number to hold the place. The MPF will give you a letter stating you are command sponsored and then your Fiance (husband by that time) will take it to finance to start the pay for being married. He will be back payed to the date you get married if this step takes a little while.

For my wife we also had to do the medical appointments to be command sponsored, but it is just a formality mostly to make sure the medical facilities will be able to take care of you. Being in Anchorage, if the base can't take care of you, the civilian hospital will.

[sara80 17]

Thank you all!! I have told my fiance about your advice, Im certainly going to do as you suggest, prob his boss didn't know exactly what its needed, or was just trying to make it sound too difficult.

[DaveE 178]

Command Sponsorship is more than just the money. It means the military has accepted responsibility for you in the local area. They are responsible for paying your transporation costs when your spouse PCS's. They are certifying that they have adequate medical facilities etc. Here is a link that explains more about Command Sponsorship in Alaska: Anchorage Command Sponsorship

For Anchorage, here is a cut and past from the Elmendorf web page.

AUTOMATIC COMMAND SPONSORSHIP

If you are trying to obtain Command Sponsorship approval to update your BAH and COLA

and you married an Alaskan Resident, it is automatic Command Sponsorship, please stop by

Customer Support to obtain a letter to take to Finance.

Please bring verification of Alaska State Residency. Drivers License, LES, Proof of Registration.

NOT ALASKA STATE RESIDENTS

If your spouse and new dependents are not residents of the state of Alaska, your Command

Sponsorship Application will have to be processed through Outbound Assignments (Career

Development Office). Please refer to their webpage.

Edited October 3, 2012 by DaveE

[aynjelm 9]

I searched if I could find an answer throughout the forum but couldn't find exactly an answer to my case.

My fiance', soon to be husband, is in the AirForce and based in Anchorage, AK. He was trying to get info on what to do/show at work after we get married. He was told that it would be better if I could get "command sponsorship" since Alaska is officially considered "Overseas" altho it is still US (doh, this confuses me sooo much!)

His supervisors said that to get it I would need to be an AK resident or perhaps it'd be enough having an AK driving license..

To be honest, to me, it all sounds so confusing so was wondering if any of you knows more and could enlighten us? Thank you all!

First up, where are you coming from? If you're coming from California then you will need to have Command Sponsorship. You have to be Medically cleared to go to Alaska. Once you're all good with medical your husband's command will pay for your ticket to fly. Now, if you're already in Alaska, you still need to get command sponsorship to avail all the benefits. Otherwise, you will have to shoulder medical/dental expenses you may incur. With that, command sponsorhip is the way to go.

Tell your husband to seek legal advice from his higher ups. Good luck!