News

New Web sites give valuable information as SITES-IV goes offline Monday

  • Published
  • By Holly L. Birchfield
  • 78th ABW/PA
A Web site many have used to get prepared for upcoming permanent change of station moves is going offline Monday.

The Standard Installation Topic Exchange Services IV Web site, which was established by the California-based Defense Manpower Data Center in 1997, offered information on all aspects of the PCS process, from the principles of inprocessing to finding healthcare and schools in the person's new area.

Now, two online resources, Military OneSource and Military Homefront, will take the Web site's place as the go-to spots for military members and civilians making their next PCS.

Lisa Matney, a community readiness technician at the Airman and Family Readiness Center, said the change comes at the direction of Deputy under Secretary of Defense Leslye Arsht.

"One of the main reasons I think it's closing down is just for the new and improved technology of today," she said. "With the two Web sites we have available now, it gives them a little bit more current, a little bit more user-friendly information. You can still get some of the same principles and information from those sites. It's just growth and change."

Mrs. Matney said the Web sites serve all service branches, taking the users through the PCS process from start to finish no matter where they are going.

Dan Wells, team leader and a community readiness consultant at the Airman and Family Readiness Center, said the change is a positive one.

"I think it's going to be a plus for our folks here because now they have an instant tool they can go to either at work or at their home, and once they're notified where they're going, it's just instant information about the base they're going to, instant information on how to make this move as smooth as possible, he said."

Mr. Wells said the new resources will enable military members and civilians to ask their own questions and do their own research in the manner that suits them best.

The community readiness consultant reminds people that although the new Web sites are available, they can still take advantage of the Airman and Family Readiness Center's programs like Smooth Move and PCS resources found in the center's Discovery Zone to make informed decisions about their move.

What to know
The Standard Installation Topic Exchange Services IV Web site will end Monday. In its place, military and civilians may visit the Military OneSource Web site at www.militaryonesource.com or the Military Homefront Web site at www.militaryhomefront.dod.mil to gather valuable information to make a PCS as easy as possible. For more information, contact the Airman and Family Readiness Center at 926-1256.