How to be a good sponsor at Kunsan

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Darnell T. Cannady
  • 8th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea --  They say you only get one chance to make a first impression, and as a sponsor you are the first impression the newcomer will receive from the Wolf Pack and the Airman's duty section.

A good sponsor will allow the new member to integrate into the Pack without having to worry about lodging, food, or work.

What is the key to becoming a good sponsor?

"The key to being a good sponsor is communication," said Mark Kern, Airman and Family Readiness Center Community Readiness Technician. "Sponsors must ensure they maintain continuous communication. This helps ensure the needs of the newcomer are known and any changes in arrival times or specific issues are addressed. Be the kind of sponsor you would want to have."

Airman 1st Class Logan Hall, 8th Logistics Readiness Squadron, said his sponsor was helpful before Airman Hall's arrival.

"He sent a package to me with a PowerPoint presentation and everything I needed to know about the base," Airman Hall said. "This helped me with the history of Kunsan. This also helped my family realize why I was chosen to come here. My family and I agree that this sponsor program is great for people who don't know what to expect."

Communication is vital for ensuring you can find out the newcomer's needs and gives the sponsor an opportunity to advise the newcomer of what is in place for him or her prior to the Airman's arrival.

Becoming a good sponsor is a simple process, thanks to the sponsorship program provided by the Airman and Family Readiness Center. The AFRC provides many services that will give you the skills needed to be a good sponsor.

"Sponsorship training is provided by the Airman and Family Readiness Center online or in a classroom setting," said Mr. Kern. "Sponsors and newcomers alike will be provided a checklist to ensure all are aware of the requirements that help to have a smooth transition into the Wolf Pack."

At a minimum, the sponsor should get the newcomer's personal and duty phone numbers and email addresses, good mailing address, and a copy of the newcomer's orders to set up a post office box within 30 days of arrival. You may need to get additional information to set up temporary lodging as well. In order to meet the newcomer upon arrival, ask for a copy of his or her travel itinerary.

"My sponsor was an outstanding sponsor prior and after my arrival to Kunsan," said Senior Master Sgt. Jerome Sydnor, 8th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron. "He saved his room for me prior to my arrival; provided my full mailing address within 24 hours after I sent him a copy of my orders; kept me abreast of priority leadership, wing activities, work center, personnel related, and other matters; and left two stateside calling cards and other invaluable items in my room.

"Most importantly, he conducted a solid turnover of all required continuity programs I needed to know for continued success," Sergeant Sydnor continued. "When I was previously stationed at Kunsan August 2002 to 2003, my sponsor, then, failed to properly perform his sponsorship duties. Fortunately, I've PCSed (Permanent Change of Station) enough during my career to figure things out on my own. However, it's still no excuse for my sponsor to not make a positive and impressionable experience."

Not all newcomers arriving to the 8th Fighter Wing will be coming from a previous base. For some members, this will be their first duty assignment. With first-term Airmen, you will experience a different process than you would with a newcomer from a previous base.

"These individuals need your assistance because this will be their first PCS, and they often get a short-notice assignment while they are still in tech school," said Mr. Kern. "It is best to have the supervisor appointed as the sponsor to ensure the first-term Airman is oriented to their duty station and starts off with all information necessary to be successful."

It's also important to keep in contact with the first-term Airman's orderly room in technical school to ensure there were not any changes made in assignments and to find out the exact day the Airman will arrive.

"My arrival was a little last-minute and had some complications, but my sponsor still had everything ready," said Airman 1st Class Billy Starks, 8th Civil Engineer Squadron. "My sponsor bought food and drink that was waiting for me and managed to round up linen for me to sleep on. The following day, my sponsor picked me up from my room and showed me around the shop and the base."

A common issue happens when the newcomer is unaware someone will be available to meet him or her upon arrival at Kunsan, and a change occurs in his or her travel itinerary. Many times leave is taken en route and flights may be changed or cancelled en route.

"The solution would be to ensure communication is available during the entire trip to Kunsan," said Mr. Kern. "Many airports have internet available during layovers; personal e-mail or chatting may be the best way to stay in communication after the previous base e-mail is no longer available."

They also say your tour here with the Wolf Pack will always be remembered, and by being a good sponsor you can help the newcomer begin his or her tour in the right direction. To begin your sponsorship training or get a refresher, contact the AFRC.