DOD site provides sponsorship training, relocation resources Published Jan. 18, 2011 By Airman and Family Readiness Center Tinker AFB, Okla. -- Anyone who has made a permanent change of station knows the complications of relocating in the military. This can be a very trying time for the member and their family, full of excitement and stress. Being a great sponsor requires having a great attitude and receiving top-notch training. The Department of Defense has launched online sponsorship training and resource tool intended to boost the quality of the sponsor program and better assist relocating servicemembers and their families. The sponsor program connects incoming servicemembers with a trained sponsor, typically a servicemember of similar rank and job position, at the gaining installation. Sponsors offer a variety of assistance to families with everything from lodging and schools to spouse employment opportunities and housing. The mandatory program is not run at the service or base level, but the unit level, and as a result, the quality of training and program management varies significantly. Through the e-Sponsorship Application and Training site, or e-SAT, leaders can ensure all sponsors are uniformly trained and equipped to provide quality and consistent information to the families. The site offers sponsors an easy and accessible resource for information, including training, links to relocation resources and an e-mail function designed to facilitate communication between sponsors and incoming families. Families who haven't been assigned a sponsor can request one online by visiting Military Installations at http://www.militaryinstallations.dod.mil or Plan My Move at http://www.militaryhomefront.dod.mil/moving. To enroll in e-SAT for sponsorship training or for more information, visit http://apps.mhf.dod.mil/ESAT. For information on the Relocation Program at the Airman and Family Readiness Center, call Cathy Rosner at 739-7544.