JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas –
For active-duty members and their families, one of the
stressors of the military lifestyle is moving to a new installation and
awaiting the arrival of their household goods.
That waiting period often lasts weeks, leaving military
families in an empty home without basic necessities such as dishes and
silverware, pots and pans, irons and ironing boards, and many other items.
Fortunately, at installations throughout the armed services,
military members can borrow a variety of household items at storage spaces
known by names like lending closets, loan closets and loan lockers until their
shipments arrive.
“The Loan Locker provides temporary household items such as
dish kits, coffee pots, and pots and pans for service members and their
families during relocation,” said Kathleen Moree, Joint Base San
Antonio-Randolph Military & Family Readiness Center chief. “This is a great
resource to utilize when you arrive at your next duty station or are about to
make a permanent-change-of-station move and your household items are packed up
or haven’t arrived yet.”
The Loan Locker’s normal operating hours are 8-11 a.m.
Tuesday-Thursday, but military members may borrow items whenever the M&FRC
is open.
“We have more assistance from volunteers during the Loan
Locker’s normal operating hours, so members will be helped right away,” said
Kelli Franklin, JBSA-Randolph M&FRC community readiness consultant. “At
those other times, they may have to wait.”
Franklin said active-duty members who require Loan Locker
items should come to the M&FRC and fill out two forms – a client
information form and a relocation assistance loan locker contract agreement.
The contract agreement spells out loan conditions, a “hold harmless” agreement
that denotes acceptance of full liability and responsibility for the use of
loaned items, and a return policy.
“Items are available on a first-come, first-served basis for
up to 30 days, but members may request additional time if necessary,” she said.
“More than 30 days may not be possible during PCS season because of greater
demand.”
Franklin said items must be returned in the same condition
they were in when they were received and in a timely manner.
Household goods at the Loan Locker run the gamut from two-
to six-person dish kits – which include drinking cups, coffee mugs, silverware,
plates, bowls, serving bowls and platters – and pot-and-pan kits to strollers
and futons.
“We have everything you could want while you’re waiting for
your household goods,” Franklin said. “We want to make your transition as smooth
as possible and eliminate unnecessary expenses.”
Tech. Sgt. Quan Holmes, 33rd Network Warfare Squadron
cyberspace operator, said he saved hundreds of dollars during his recent PCS to
JBSA-Lackland by borrowing items that included a dish kit, box fans, a card
table and chairs, coffee maker and
toaster at the JBSA-Randolph Loan Locker.
“I would’ve had to purchase these items even though I
already had them in transit,” he said.
Not every Air Force base has a facility like JBSA-Randolph’s
Loan Locker, but JBSA has two places where active-duty members can borrow
household goods. JBSA-Fort Sam Houston has a Lending Closet.
The JBSA-Fort Sam Houston Lending Closet and the
JBSA-Randolph Loan Locker are open to active-duty members throughout JBSA,
regardless of service affiliation, Franklin said.
“The Loan Locker is a great enhancement to the JBSA-Randolph
Relocation Program and helps us support our families on their first or last day
on-base,” Moree said. “The Loan Locker is not a mandatory service, but we are fortunate
to have one at JBSA-Randolph. However,
we want to ensure the word gets out to our service members and families before
they purchase duplicate items that they may not really need.”
She said the Loan Locker also provides potential volunteer
opportunities for those looking for a way to assist in the JBSA-Randolph
community.
For more information, call the M&FRC at 652-5321 or
visit their JBSA-Randolph location at 555 F St. W.