Command Sponsorship
What is Command Sponsorship (CSP)?
Command Sponsorship applications are done at the losing duty station and are typically not initiated in Korea. Without Command Sponsorship, dependents (except ROK citizens) are considered tourists on a 90-day Visa, with limited support from US Forces Korea (USFK).
Being granted Command Sponsorship means that family members are approved to accompany a DoD member to their next duty station (typically when it’s outside the Continental United States) for the length of their tour. Command Sponsorship is not guaranteed, as CSP billets are limited, and service members must apply by obtaining approval from their gaining unit commander followed by an Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) screening for each accompanying family member.
Even if a military member is not granted Command Sponsorship (CSP), they have the option to bring their family Non-Command Sponsored, or NCS. However, this decision should not be made lightly, since NCS dependents have access to limited benefits. Members should talk with their units and EFMP to make an informed decision on what is best for them and their family. Review “CSP vs NCS: Making an Informed Choice” in the Helpful Links below for an overview on access to benefits for NCS families.
Outpatient Mental Health care is routinely available to Active Duty military only. Mental Health needs are addressed much differently off base than in the United States. Carefully consider all options with your current mental health provider to determine if relocation to Korea is able to meet your specific needs.
Sponsor Program
Updated 24 October 2024
The unit Commanders’ Support Staff (CSS) or other unit members designated by the unit commander, will provide sponsorship for members to assist in a smooth PCS transition.
FIRST STEP — CONTACT YOUR UNIT TO OBTAIN A SPONSOR
No matter how many times you’ve PCS’d or even if you’ve been assigned to Kunsan before, you need to make contact with your sponsor to make sure you’re aware of the latest in-processing policies and requirements BEFORE you arrive.
Your sponsor is the key to your successful PCS! They will save you valuable time and hassle before, during, and after your arrival. Keep in mind that when a sponsor is assigned to you, they will address your needs.
Your assigned squadron will appoint you a sponsor. If your sponsor hasn’t contacted you within a week after you receive your orders, please obtain your sponsor’s contact information through the gaining squadron, or through 8 FSS/FSPS Customer Support (8fss.mps@us.af.mil). If additional help is required, you can also contact the Military & Family Readiness Center: DSN 315.782.5644, Commercial (001) 82.063.470.5644.
What benefits does CSP provide?
Only Command Sponsored dependents are authorized:
- No-Fee U.S. Passport
- On-base housing, if available
- Travel Allowance: DoD members receive travel allowances and reimbursements for their families
- USFK Driver’s License
- Household Goods Shipment: DoD members receive their full accompanied JTR weight
Note: All dependents, regardless of CSP status, are authorized base access and use of the Base Exchange, Commissary, Fitness Center, and Recreational Programs.
Helpful Topics:
- CSP Policy in Korea
- CSP Application Form
- CSP vs NCS: Making an Informed Choice
- CSP vs NCS: Benefits Matrix
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Joint Spouse without Dependents
- Contact a CSP Manager
- SOFA
Non-Command Sponsorship (CSP)?
All incoming personnel should carefully consider the following information before making a financial commitment of bringing non-command sponsored dependents to Korea.
HOUSING: On-base housing is not authorized for non-command sponsored dependents. Therefore, dependents that live on the economy may be faced with heating and water problems, having to arrange for potable water, insufficient water pressure, and having to come on base to use the Laundromat. Personnel could experience substandard living conditions from what they may be accustomed to in the States; perhaps no yard for children to play in and depending on the sponsors’ grade (E-6 and below), possibly no car. Local transportation (taxi, bus) is available, but gets expensive after repeated use and is not available 24 hours a day.
FURNITURE: Furniture is not available for non-command sponsored dependents or those serving an unaccompanied tour living off base.
DUTY HOURS: Frequently, military members stationed in Korea are subject to long duty hours and numerous military exercises, often restricting personnel from leaving the base. Members and their dependents should realize time together might be limited because of military necessity.
FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS: Military members who elect to bring their non-command sponsored dependents to Korea should realize that additional transportation beyond the CONUS port is not reimbursable. In addition, the service member’s household goods shipping allowance is limited to either unaccompanied hold baggage allowance or 10% of the sponsor’s JFTR weight allowance. Service members who live on the economy are sometimes not entitled to full overseas housing allowance or, if entitled, are only provided at the single rate. EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES: Employment opportunities for American spouses, both command-and non-command sponsored are very limited.
CHILDCARE FACILITIES: Kunsan AB does not have available childcare.
DEPENDENT EDUCATION: There are no schools available for non-command sponsored children.
MEDICAL CARE: Availability of medical care is based on a space availability. Additionally, many of the specialties, for example, cardiology, neurosurgery, plastic surgery, endocrinology, and pulmonology are only available through air evacuation.
TRI-CARE: There are no guaranteed payment reimbursements–NCS dependents are only authorized to participate in Tri-care standard. Off base treatment must be paid in full at the time of service. The sponsor then files a claim with the original home area primary care manager. Reimbursements are decided on a case-by-case basis.
DENTAL CARE: Most dental services are offered to active duty.
USFK DRIVERS LICENSE: Non-command sponsored dependents whose sponsor is E-7 and above are permitted to obtain a USFK driver’s license. For E-6 and below, NCS dependents require an exception to policy to obtain a USFK driver’s license. FAMILY
MEMBER PASSPORTS AND VISA: As a military member, you are not required to have a passport and visa in Korea. However, all family members, fiancées, or friends visiting Korea must have a valid passport and visa BEFORE entering Korea, although Korea does allow visitors without a visa to enter the country for less than 30 days. Visas should be obtained in Korean Consulates outside Korea. If a visitor stays past 30 days, he or she will fall under the jurisdiction of Korean Immigration. There is no guarantee Korean Immigration will permit residence beyond the original 30 days. People staying past 30 days without obtaining proper authorization from Korean Immigration are subject to fines and possible legal action. The process for obtaining a resident visa must be done in person at the Korean Immigration Office in Seoul.
WE CANNOT STRESS ENOUGH THE IMPORTANCE OF OBTAINING THE CORRECT VISA BEFORE ENTERING THE COUNTRY. STATUS OF FORCES AGREEMENT (SOFA) STAMP IN DEPENDENT PASSPORTS: Except for Korean Nationals who have no need of the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA), all dependents of active-duty military who are residing here should have their passports SOFA stamped.. The sponsor will be given a Verification of Assignment Letter which, accompanied with the passport, must be taken to the Immigration Office. The passport will then be SOFA stamped. Some dependents in this category are not aware of this requirement. This passport entry should be obtained as soon as possible after entering the ROK since dependents may not leave the country without it. Without this passport entry, delays may result when it’s time to leave the ROK. If not already included as an item in your unit’s in-processing checklist, you may wish to do so. Additionally, any dependents not in possession of a passport or who require a visa should contact Military Personnel Flight Passport Office at 782-7220 for guidance.
Outpatient Mental Health care is routinely available to Active Duty military only. Mental Health needs are addressed much differently off base than in the United States. Carefully consider all options with your current mental health provider to determine if relocation to Korea is able to meet your specific needs.
Note: All dependents, regardless of CSP status, are authorized base access and use of the Base Exchange, Commissary, Fitness Center, and Recreational Programs.
Helpful Topics: