Making the move smooth

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Victor J. Caputo
  • 22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. --  A permanent change of station can be a difficult situation with a variety of questions and concerns.

The Airman and Family Readiness Center assists with this type of transition by offering an informational class called Smooth Move. It is designed to ease the minds of those who are about to depart their current duty station.

"It's meant to be a one-stop shop," said Dennis Chrisco, A&FRC community readiness consultant. "If you have a lot of questions, you can come to one place and get what you need in the class."

There is not a standard presentation as each month's class is based on what individuals are interested in learning.

"It really depends on the people coming in," said Chrisco. "Some of them will have families and they're interested in shipping household goods. Some of them are single, barely moving out of the barracks, no kids and no spouse; they're not interested in those kinds of things."

Briefers from various units on base are available during each class to offer advice and answer different questions about their roles in a PCS.

"I was appreciative of the subject matter experts that came in and had detailed briefings in their areas," said Capt. Tiffany Vandenbroeke, 22nd Civil Engineer Squadron operations flight commander, who attended the most recent class on Dec. 17, 2012. "Everybody in the class has a different agenda, so you pick up the things that you really need to know."

The Smooth Move briefing is similar to Right Start, a briefing hosted by the A&FRC consisting of presentations from base organizations. When Airmen arrive to their duty station, they must attend Right Start, where each Airman learns about their base and how to settle in. Smooth Move marks the end of each Airman's time on station and helps them adjust to leaving their base.

Smooth Move is offered the last Monday of each month. Spouses are also encouraged to attend. The class is not mandatory but highly recommended by A&FRC staff.

"The most important thing for people to get out of the class is knowing who to call," said Chrisco. "A couple weeks from now, you may not remember what someone said, but you can call them and ask them the question you have."

To find out more information about services offered by the A&FRC, call (316) 759-6020.