Sponsor program ensures warm welcome Published Dec. 10, 2010 By Monica Mendoza 21st Space Wing Public Affairs staff writer PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- A new online sponsor training program aims to ensure that everyone relocating to Peterson Air Force Base or Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Station receives the same hearty welcome, with the same genuine information. The Defense Department launched its online e-Sponsorship Application and Training site in October in hopes of boosting the quality of the decades-old sponsor program and to better assist relocating servicemembers and their families, said Barbara Thompson, director of the Pentagon's office of family policy/children and youth. The idea is to ensure that all sponsors are uniformly trained. So far this calendar year, 552 people have in-processed to Peterson Air Force Base and Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Station, said Beth Campbell, the 21st Space Wing Airman and Family Readiness Center's relocation assistance program manager. People moving into the Colorado Springs community have questions about housing, schools and more, she said. Staff Sgt. Amber Zupke, 21st Aerospace Medicine Squadron aerospace and operational physiology craftsman, wished she had more information about the local area when she arrived as a first term Airman. She is among the first on Peterson to complete the e-sponsor program and will be a sponsor to an arriving Airman in January. "I think anything that sets them up for success is important," Sergeant Zupke said. "For example, information on the work environment, the town and especially the base and all that is offered." The e-sponsor program connects incoming servicemembers with a trained sponsor, usually someone of similar rank and job position, Ms. Campbell said. Once a sponsor takes the e-sponsor training he or she can put in the incoming person's e-mail address into the training portal and start the flow of communication. "It really assists members with being able to touch base with newcomers and gets information flowing a lot faster," Ms. Campbell said. Airmen are required to take the annual e-sponsor training. When they are notified that a new member is coming to their unit then the sponsor will also take a 30-minute sponsor training at the Airman and Family Readiness Center, Ms. Campbell said. The e-sponsor training provides Airmen with a general overview of in-processing and ways to assist their incoming personnel. The A&FRC training gives sponsors more local information that will help the incoming Airman and his or her family. "We want to be sure to give members all the information they can get," Ms. Campbell said. Anyone with questions about the e-sponsor training program or the A&FRC sponsor training can call 556-6141. (This article contains information from American Forces Press Service)