Lending Hangar ready to help those PCSing in, out

By Sara E. Martin, Army Flier Staff WriterJuly 7, 2014

Lending Hangar ready to help those PCSing in, out
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT RUCKER, Ala. (July 7, 2014) -- There is a service in the Soldier Service Center, Bldg. 5700, that is here to help Soldiers and Families out in the busy permanent change of station season.

The Fort Rucker Lending Hangar in Rm. 177 has houseware goods for check out to the Fort Rucker community for free to use when PCSing or when Family is in town, said Ruth Gonzalez, relocation readiness program manager.

"Any Soldier or Family member that is arriving or leaving Fort Rucker and wishes to use our services may do so before their home goods arrive," she said. "They only need to bring us a copy of their orders."

Orders assigning a Soldier to or away from Fort Rucker for permanent or temporary duty and an identification card are required in order to borrow items from the Lending Hangar. Anyone with a Department of Defense military identification card may use the hangar.

The purpose of the hangar is to make the transitions between duty stations smoother.

"Hopefully we lessen the financial burden on the Soldiers," she said. "If they have shipped their household goods, but the items have not arrived yet, they don't have to go buy or rent anything and have double of the item when their things arrive."

Gonzalez warns that the hangar only has the basics and has no furniture, such as dining room sets or mattresses.

"We have things such as folding tables and chairs, sleeping mats, pots and pans, dishes, coffee pots, microwaves, rice cookers, play yards, high chairs, car seats, strollers, blenders, silverware, cooking utensils, toasters and televisions," she said, naming a few items that Soldiers can borrow.

Soldiers going through in or out processing may borrow items for 30 days, but she said ACS takes each situation on a case-by-case basis.

"If something is damaged in transition, or movers are taking longer than expected, then they can borrow things until it is fixed or that issue is resolved," she said. "During high PCS season when delivery times are longer, it makes it even worse, so our services are a blessing to most."

For Soldiers going overseas, Gonzalez said they can be proactive and send their things 60 days before they leave Fort Rucker, and that they are more than welcome to borrow from the hangar during that time.

"It is much better to send your things early and be inconvenienced here where you have friends and connections where if you need a little extra help they are here for you, whereas to go someplace new where you do not know anyone and not have your belongings," she said.

Officials at ACS request people to return borrowed items the way they received them -- clean and in good working condition.

Besides helping take some stress out of moving, Gonzalez said the hangar saves Soldiers money.

"Eating out can get expensive, and it can get old very fast," she said. "We want Soldiers to be ready and able to work or study, and we want our Family members taken care of. It lets the Soldier be ready for their new mission."

The Lending Hangar does not loan things out for yard sales or parties, but is able to lend a hand when Families are in town.

"If Family members are coming in from out of town then we can help the Soldier with an extra table or an air mattress, for example," she said. "There is no reason they should go out and buy things for short-term guests, unless they just want to."

The Lending Hangar is open Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information about the Lending Hangar or to check out items, call 255-3161 or 255-2887.

Related Links:

USAACE and Fort Rucker on Twitter

USAACE and Fort Rucker on Facebook

Fort Rucker, Ala.

U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence