After Arrival
Macdill Newcomers' Brief
MacDill Newcomers’ Orientation is a mandatory orientation for new personnel arriving to MacDill and is provided by the Military & Family Readiness Center. This briefing covers information specific to MacDill, the local community and provides helpful resources for your relocation. Spouses are highly encouraged to attend.
Please email Karrie Melendez at FSC.frontdesk@us.af.mil to register.Â
Getting Around
Public Bus Transportation
MacDill Air Force Base
Van Pool & Car Pool
Child & Youth Services
MacDill AFB offers 3 CDC locations, youth center, school age care and family child care open to all branches of service on MacDill.
Give Parents A Break (GPAB)
Sponsored by the Air Force Aid Society, GPAB is a non-traditional care program which seeks to help Air Force families who are experiencing stress due to a deployment, family crisis, serious illness and other high-stress situations. Monthly breaks are set for the calendar year.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Active Duty Member of the Air Force and Space Force
- Children/Youth 6 weeks to 12 years old
How to Request Care:
- Families must be referred by one of the following base officials who coordinate with our Military & Family Readiness Center personnel:
- Squadron commander/first sergeant
- Chaplain
- Doctor or other medical professional
- Family Advocacy personnel
- MFRC Personnel
- Child Development Center/Youth Center Director
(GPAB certificates are not intended for on-going care but rather for a specific period of time NTE a 3 month period. Certificates may be reissued as needed).
- Family completes enrollment paperwork with Child Development Center #3 (submit GPAB certificate, complete AF Form 1181, submit child/youth Immunization Record, answer child/youth allergy/special needs questions)
Fees:
- There is no cost to the member.
More information can be obtained by contacting our MFRC at 813.828.0145 or our Child Development Center #3 at 813.828.0195.
Parents Night Out (PNO)
Parent’s Night Out is a non-traditional care program which provides an opportunity for those families needing time away for a date night/day. Monthly dates are set for the calendar year
Eligibility Requirements:
- Member of the Military Service Active Duty or Reserve/Guard Member in an Active Duty status
- Assigned to, living or working on MacDill
- Children/Youth must be 6 weeks to 12 years old
How to Request Care:
- Call our Child Development Center #3 at 813.828.0195 to sign up
- Family completes enrollment paperwork with Child Development Center #3 (AF Form 1181, submit child/youth Immunization Record, answer child/youth allergy/special needs questions)
Fees:
- $7 per hour (payment will be taken during initial sign up)
More information can be obtained by contacting our Child Development Center #3 at 813.828.0195.
Deployment/Remote Assignment Child Care Support
The Deployment/Remote Assignment Child Care Support allows families 16 hours for pre-deployment, 16 hours each month of the deployment/remote assignment, and 16 hours post deployment. MacDill AFB Family Child Care Deployment Care Support may be used once the member has orders and ends 60 days upon return in an FCC Provider’s Home. FCC Remote Assignment Child Care may be used each month the member is on remote assignment in an FCC Provider’s Home.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Member of the Military Service Active Duty or Reserve/Guard Member in an Active Duty status
- Assigned to, living or working on MacDill
- Deployed in support of a contingency operation
- Deployed for a minimum of 30 calendar days or personnel who routinely deploy on a short-term basis (cumulative of 30 days in a 6 month period)
- No other adult in the household available to provide care
- Children/Youth 6 weeks to 12 years old
How to Request Care:
- Complete and submit DAF FCC ECC Request form, sponsor’s supervisor signature not required, to Community Child Care Coordinator (form will be provided via link)
- Provide copy of Deployment/Remote Assignment Orders or signed Letter from CC/SEL/Shirt
- Complete enrollment paperwork with the Community Child Care Coordinator (AF Form 1181, FCC ECC Agreement form, Parent Questionnaire, Travel Permission form, and Photo Consent form)
Fees:
- There is no cost to the member
More information can be obtained by contacting our Community Child Care Coordinator at 813.828.7760.
Extended Duty Care (EDC)
The EDC Program is designed to assist families when weekly parental workloads, due to extended duty hours exceed the normal operating hours of our CDC/SAC programs where families are already purchasing full-time care.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Member of the Military Service Active Duty or Reserve/Guard Member in an Active Duty status or DoD civilians
- All adults living in the Assigned to, working or living on MacDill AFB household must be either working, enrolled in school, or seeking employment
- Spouses actively seeking employment must submit verification every 30 days once the child is enrolled in care. The child may be removed from care if the spouse has not gained employment after 90 days.
- Children/Youth 6 weeks to 12 years old
How to Request Care:
- Complete and submit DAF FCC ECC Request form, sponsor’s supervisor signature not required, to Community Child Care Coordinator (form will be provided via link)
- Provide copy of Deployment/Remote Assignment Orders or signed Letter from CC/SEL/Shirt
- Complete enrollment paperwork with the Community Child Care Coordinator (AF Form 1181, FCC ECC Agreement form, Parent Questionnaire, Travel Permission form, and Photo Consent form)
Fees:
- There is no cost to the member as long as their weekly child care fee has been paid.
More information can be obtained by contacting our Community Child Care Coordinator at 813.828.7760.
Healthcare
The 6th Medical Group is located at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, FL , and provides medical care and health and wellness services to a population of more than 215,000 Department of Defense beneficiaries throughout the tampa Bay Area.
Medical Clinics
Main MacDill Base Clinic and Sabal Park Clinic (Brandon, FL):
The 6th Medical Group at MacDill Air Force Base is an outpatient medical facility, which provides medical care and health and wellness services to a population of more than 265,000 Department of Defense beneficiaries throughout the greater Tampa Bay area.
For a guide on PCSing and Moving with TRICARE please:
Click Here
*For immediate triage or in case of emergency, dial 911 or go to the nearest emergency room
Military & Family Life Consultants
Military & Family Life Consultant (MFLC) – MFLC provide short term, situational, problem solving counseling services to service members and their families. M&FLC services augment existing military support services. All consultants are Masters or PhD level, licensed Clinical Counselors. To speak with a MFLC please call 813.816.3061 or 813.210.7822 or email mainridgea@magellanfederal.com
Employment Services
Military spouses´ careers are impacted by their service members´ military service. There are tons of events and programs open to military and veteran spouses as well as military caregivers.
NAF Jobs On Macdill
All NAF positions on MacDill have a starting salary of $15/hr or above.
Military & Family Readiness
Provides services to include:
- Classes and individual consultation on career planning and personal development
- Resume writing
- Interviewing skills
- Job search process/strategies
- Career Readiness
- Employment opportunities
- Scholarship opportunities
Additional Resources
Career Source Tampa Bay connects employers with qualified, skilled talent.
Education
Moving from base to base is often very stressful on both parents and children. Families with children from Pre-K to High School can take certain actions to help their kids transition effectively and successfully to a new school.
Financial Assistance
Aid societies may be able to provide financial assistance for educational expenses. To learn more visit:
AFAS education grants, scholarships and loans
Army Emergency Relief (AER)
Assistance for higher education and professional certifications.
- Mrs. Patty Shinseki Spouse Scholarship Program
- Maj. Gen. James Ursano Scholarship Program for Military Children
Education And Training Center
The MacDill Education and Training Center is located inside the MacDill Base Library.
The education center offers WAPS & Military testing, Skillbridge, Commissioning, info for transitioning service members and more!
Please visit the Education & Training Center page for more details.
Military & Family Readiness
The M&FRC Supports military, civilians, and family members in achieving short and long-term employment, by referring for education/training, and obtaining career goals
MacDill Library
- Base Library information can be found online at macdillfss.com/library
- You will have access to over 70 digital resources through the digital online library once you’ve established a library account with us.
- MacDill Library has over 30,000 tangible resources for patrons to checkout.
- Free Wi-Fi, computer lab, reference assistance and programming activities. Other services include computer printing, printing copies & faxing documents for a small fee.
School Liaison
The School Liaison, Dr. Venetia Waters, is available to help assist with all your questions with schools in Hillsborough, Pinellas Counties and the surrounding area.
Housing Services
MacDill offers privatized housing through Harbor Bay Properties. They are responsible for maintaining, repairing, constructing, and managing the community.
Financial Assistance
Aid societies may be able to provide financial assistance for housing. To learn more visit:
Air Force Aid Society (AFAS)
Army Emergency Relief (AER)
Navy Marine Corp Relief Society (NMCRS)
Military Housing Information
On Base Programs
- On Base Housing Application: Visit The Harbor Bay At Macdill Page
Off Base Programs
- Call 813.828.5404 or email Housing@us.af.mil for more information about Off Base Programs.
- HOMES.mil
- Homes.mil is a service designed to connect Service members and their Families with community housing rental listings located near U.S. military bases.
- Type in your current or future installation above to begin searching for homes or create an account to take advantage of HOMES.mil account features or to list your own rental property.
- HOMES.mil is a publicly accessible Department of Defense (DoD) website.
Military & Family Readiness
Personal Financial Workshops/Counseling for:
- Dorm Departure Program (Ditch the Dorms)
- Home Buying
Additional Resources
Transition Assistance Program – Military Life Cycle Courses – self-paced workshop on VA Home Loan Guaranty Program.