Know before you go Published June 11, 2013 By Michael Golembesky 21st Space Wing Public Affairs staff writer PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- Reassignment? New position? New base? With all of the stresses that go along with transitioning to a new installation, it's good to know the people at the Airman and Family Readiness Center here provide classes and services to help Airmen and their families to be prepared before you go. When it comes to a permanent change of station to a new installation, being prepared is the best thing Airmen can do for themselves and their families. It can be a very stressful and hectic time with hundreds of things to accomplish before you set out on your new adventure including schools, housing, commissary, maps, employment and available services. The headaches only compound when your move involves relocation overseas. But no need to worry because the Peterson A&FRC offers the "Relocation Assistance Program" giving Airmen the tools and knowledge to succeed. "It is mandatory for me to contact all PCSing personnel on Peterson to make sure that they are aware and have access to all of the different resources available to them," said Christina Fornander, Peterson Relocation Assistance lead. The program provides a variety of services designed to help personnel and their families through the process of a PCS move. Services include education, information, referral and support to help ease the physical and emotional impact of relocating. "Smooth Move & Overseas Briefing" offers information from the joint personal property shipping office, legal, accounting and finance, and TRICARE. When it comes to kids and teens, the "Relocation - Youth Sponsor Program" helps ease youth's transition to a new place through correspondence with youth of the same age at their destination. You can visit the Youth Center's "Sponsor a Youth" page for information on youth sponsorship. Are you new to Peterson? The A&FRC has got you covered too, the "Right Start -- Newcomer's Orientation" class is mandatory to all newcomers to Peterson AFB. Here you will learn about the Wing's unique mission, meet agency representatives and get training on required items. Spouses are highly encouraged to attend along with the service member. You're moving and everything you own is either boxed up or in transit to your new location. What are you going to use for your remaining time here? Answer: the Peterson Loan Closet. The Loan Closet offers temporary (up to 30 days) use of items to relocating personnel such as folding tables and chairs, fans, phones, electrical appliances, dishes, utensils, pans, irons and ironing boards. There are also car seats and high chairs available on loan, however, the Loan Closet does not offer bed linens. Also, it is never too soon to locate and contact the A&FRC at your new installation to find out what newcomer resources and assistance they provide. Military installation booklets and additional information can be found by visiting Military OneSource online. There you can search by specific installation and get access to everything you need to know, before you go. "Many people don't even know that these base booklets even exist," Fornander said when talking about the usefulness of the military installation booklets, which consolidate a lot of information into a single user-friendly book. For more information about the relocation services provided by the Peterson A&FRC, call (719) 556-6141, visit them at building 350, room 1203 or go to http://www.21fss.com/about/airman-family-readiness/relocation/. The Military OneSource Peterson AFB booklet can be found at http://www.militaryinstallations.dod.mil/MOS/f?p=MI:CONTENT:0::::P4_INST_ID,P4_CONTENT_DIRECTORY,P4_TAB:865,ALL,BK.