Your PCS orders are in hand and it is time to start planning. It can be overwhelming, but you’re not alone. Here are answers to
Military Move FAQs: After PCS Orders
7 Steps to Help You Prepare for a PCS Relocation
Receiving Permanent Change of Station or PCS orders in the military can be an overwhelming and stressful experience for everyone involved. Once you’ve had time to digest the news, you’ll want to start getting ready for the lengthy process. Staying organized and knowing what to expect will make the experience much more pleasant and less stressful, even if this isn’t your first time going through the process. Keep these seven steps in mind as you prepare for a PCS relocation, whether you use professional movers or go the DITY route.
1. Meet with the transportation office
The name of the office you need to meet with depends on which branch of the military you or your loved one is in. Make an appointment as soon as possible to give yourself time to get in, learn what you can, and put the arrangements for your move into action. Be aware that you always have the option to request a DITY move. Per www.cheapmoverlasvegas.com (101 N Pecos Rd Suite 113, Las Vegas, NV 89101, (702) 660-4699), a military mover for Nellis Air Force Base, with a PPM move, you can hire your own moving company or rent a U-Haul and drive yourself to the new base. The government reimburses you based on your rank and number of dependents.
2. Contact the family center
Give the military family center where you’re moving to a call to get information about moving. They are an excellent resource to make the move as smooth as possible for you. Family centers offer a Relocation Assistance Program or RAP to handle all your questions and concerns about the process.
3. Research
Learn about the area you’re moving to. Look at schools, employment opportunities for you if your spouse is in the military, climate, healthcare, and housing. Looking up the specific duty station will typically get you more information that applies to your situation.
4. Notify housing
Let your government housing office know when you’re going to be moving. They can give you information on what needs to be done beforehand. There are likely going to be specific cleaning requirements before you move to make the living quarters inhabitable for the next tenants.
5. Go to the finance office
Moving can be very costly, but the military offers financial assistance to make the process more bearable for your wallet. Learn what entitlements you may be eligible for so you can organize the move and prepare in as far advance as possible. Some benefits you may qualify for include:
- Time to find new housing that doesn’t count as leave
- Lodging and meal expenses for temporary housing or when traveling to the new station
- Airline tickets or fuel costs
- Cost to ship your items
- Storage for personal belongings
6. Create checklists
Make a list of what needs to be done chronologically. Ideally, you should start planning three months, and more responsibilities and actions will need to be done closer to the actual date. You’ll also need to wrap things up after you relocate to complete the process.
7. Important documents
Keep your important documents such as social security cards, birth certificates, cash, and credit cards with you at all times. Don’t trust movers to keep these items safe, especially because they are often difficult and a hassle to replace.
Don’t start panicking once you receive PCS orders. With careful planning and time, the move won’t be nearly as stressful, and the process will likely include fewer complications.
Military Moves: What to Know Before Moving OCONUS
Moving is almost never easy, but moving out of the country makes those domestic PCS orders look easy. Fortunately, thousands of people have preceded you on the OCONUS adventure, so there are lots of resources at your fingertips. Here we’ll try to answer some of the most frequently asked questions when it comes to planning your first international move with the military.
Getting Started
Look at your orders carefully before you start planning your move. The military has a lot of resources that can help you, and you need to make sure you know which ones are available. All PCS orders come with mandatory counseling through your local Transportation Management Office, or online through move.mil. Your counselor will help answer questions and give guidance specific to your move.
Gather Your Documents
When traveling abroad, carrying your slick blue United States passport is always a must, but for an international military relocation, you’ll need to also apply for a government passport for the entire family. Depending on your destination, you may be required to apply for a visa as well. Additionally, while stateside, you’ll need to coordinate your medical screening, a process which can be surprisingly lengthy and involved. Finally, make sure you gather any other pertinent records like your marriage certificate, professional licenses, school records, and birth certificates. Either carry these with you for the move abroad, or find a safe place for keeping, like a safety deposit box or a family member’s home, while you are away.
Shipping Logistics
Unfortunately, the military likely won’t pay for you to move every last thing you own overseas. The key to an international relocation is traveling light; the more things that you bring to your new home, the harder the move will be. Look and every item that you want to bring with you a think about whether you really need it or not.
You’ll want to group your belongings into two distinct shipments. The first, known as unaccompanied baggage, should contain household items that you’ll need more immediately such as basic pots and pans, kitchen appliances, linens, and extra sets of clothes. While unaccompanied baggage is an “express shipment”, it can still take up to 3 weeks to receive this initial batch of belongings.
Separately, you’ll also prepare your household goods shipment, which will contain the bulk of your household items. Expect this second shipment to arrive within about 8 weeks of the shipment date. When packing your household goods shipment, make sure to consider your weight allowance, as the military won’t cover the expense above and beyond your allowance. It may be more convenient to simply repurchase some items in your destination country if they aren’t particularly expensive or take up a large portion of your allowance.
Put the Rest in Storage
Thankfully, whatever you can’t take with you can be stored stateside for your eventual return. Government-paid storage in conjunction with an international military move is referred to as non-temporary storage (NTS). In addition to its own storage facilities, the government also contracts with a number of private storage facilities, making it more convenient for members to store their goods. Make sure to complete either the DD Form 1164 or DD Form 1299 to ensure that your storage expense is covered by the military. But before designating anything for storage, make sure you think twice about what you’re hanging onto. If it’s stuff that you can live without for 2-3 years, is there a chance you could just get rid of it for good? You may be thanking yourself later for putting less away in storage now.
Electronics
Electronics deserve some special consideration. Electrical standards vary all of the world, so you need to make sure that your electronics will be compatible with the systems in your new home. Sometimes you can fix the problem by buying an adapter, but sometimes you’ll be out of luck. This usually won’t be a problem if you’re living on base, but it can lead to some nasty surprises if you decide to take a trip to see the rest of the country. Be sure to do your research with a guide like this one to avoid running into trouble.
Shipping a Car
Shipping your car overseas and learning to drive your car in a foreign country can be one of the hardest parts of the move. Before you can even arrange for shipment of your vehicle, you’ll have to prepare it for transport. Great Guys Car Transport, a provider of cheap transport services domestically and internationally, has some tips when it comes to prepping your vehicle for shipment:
- Complete Clean Out: Make sure you completely clean-out the interior of your car. If there are extra items in the vehicle, they may shift during shipment, causing damage to your car, and potentially to other vehicles in the shipment as well. Now’s a great time to get your car detailed so it looks great when you go to pick it up at your new base.
- Schedule a Tune-Up: The last thing you’ll want to deal with when arriving overseas is tuning up your vehicle. Take your car in for a professional tune-up prior to your departure to make sure everything is in running order. This process includes topping off critical fluids, checking the battery level, and ensuring that the tires are properly inflated.
- Ideal Gas Level: While you don’t want an entire tank of gas sloshing around during transport, you do want to ship your vehicle with about ¼ of a tank so that its actually operable when it arrives overseas.
- License and Insurance: Make sure you have adequate auto insurance for driving your vehicle abroad. Also check with your moving counselor to see how to obtain a driver’s license in your country of destination.
Of course, there’s always the option of storing your vehicle while you’re away and buying an inexpensive vehicle once your reach your destination. Do your research to make sure that your car will actually be useful before you go to the trouble of shipping it. When in doubt, look up what the locals do and follow their example.
Enjoy It
Finally, don’t forget to enjoy this experience. Moving abroad with the military is a great way to gain exposure to different cultures and do lots of traveling that would be unaffordable for most Americans. Once you’ve jumped over the hurdles of moving, you’ll have plenty of time to enjoy your new home.
PCS Relocation Services – Top Five Moving Tips from a Military Wife
Ahhh, the PCS. It is bound to happen. For some it’s met with resistance, while others see it as a brand new adventure. Regardless of what side you are on, below are some things that will make the transition easier.
Gather Important Papers
The first thing may be the most important. Gather ALL of your important papers in one box and plan on hand carrying these yourself. Do not allow the movers to take them. If you are moving yourself, be sure to put these documents safely in your vehicle first. This includes birth certificates, marriage license, ID cards, passports, vehicle registration and insurance, military orders, prescriptions, power of attorney, etc. It is vital to have these documents together so they don’t get lost in the shuffle.
Carry Critical Belongings
The next thing is similar to the first, but instead involves your items. Pack things like your Grandma’s wedding ring and your husband’s class ring in a box you will take to your next destination. Unfortunately, items sometimes come up missing, so carrying items of value on your person is important (jewelry, furs, family Bible, camera, Army coins, medals, etc.).
Also, be sure to pack a suitcase for every member of your family. Include at least ten outfits. It can take a few days for you and your belongings to get to your next destination and to get unpacked and settled. If you have a small child, remember to keep your pack and play with you. This will be valuable while traveling and again when boxes and packing paper are strewn all over.
Do an Inventory
Take pictures of everything you can BEFORE the movers arrive. Once they arrive, it will be fast paced and chaotic. It doesn’t happen often, but on occasion things get broken or lost. It is best to have an exact picture of all of your items to make replacement or repair simple. Professional moving company, movers NYC suggests that you make certain to take pictures of your big/expensive items like furniture, appliances, electronics, etc.
Research Housing
As soon as you receive those PCS orders, research where you are going. Is on-post housing available? Do you plan to live there? If so, you may need to get on the waiting list. If you choose to live off post or housing is unavailable, NEVER sign a lease on a house sight unseen. You are going to a place you have never been. The pictures may look great, but what they are not showing you is the area of town. Far too many military families have ended up in bad areas with a lease they can’t break because they signed contracts beforehand. Prepare to stay in a hotel or furnished apartment for a bit until you can find a home. Some military posts have decent hotels on them with affordable military rates that will suffice for temporary housing.
Embrace the Process
Honestly, whether you want to move or not, there is nothing you can do about it. The old adage “attitude is everything” rings very true when it comes to being a military spouse. Being miserable and complaining not only makes you unhappier, but it impacts your spouse and kids too. If your children see the move as an adventure, they will be more excited and willing to help as well. Your spouse generally has no control over where he/she is sent, so don’t punish him/her with your words and actions. Instead choose to be their helper. They need your support and unwavering love more than anyone else. Your family will remember your attitude and actions long after the move is over.
Don’t worry about your household goods. It’s just stuff that can be replaced if something happens. Moving is a fresh start…a blank slate. Take a deep breath and get ready for life on a new base!
Feature image credit Soldiers Wife Crazy Life
Military DITY Moves: Everything You Need to Know
You finally got your hard-copy orders, and a permanent change of station (PCS) is imminent. Constantly moving is one of the major sacrifices you make while in service to our country. While there are plenty of contractors that the government will pay to move your household goods (HHGs) safely from one duty station to the next, some folks prefer to cut out the middleman. These brave souls choose to tackle the personally procured move (PPM), otherwise referred to as the do-it-yourself (DITY) move.
Why Choose to DITY?
There are a number of reasons that families opt for a PPM. If the military pays for commercial movers to pack and load your home, you are beholden to the mover’s schedule. With a DITY move, you control when the wheels roll or can at least select a professional mover that you hand pick.
The military will pay to ship one vehicle for overseas moves, but for moves within the continental US, you will be responsible for getting your vehicle to the next station. For people who don’t have many HHGs or for those who have the ability to pull a trailer, it may make sense to haul your things yourself. Instead of having to wait for your shipment, you can move into your new home immediately.
DITY moves can also be profitable. They are less profitable than they used to be because of the new bidding system that the government adopted for commercial movers, but people still earn money for their extra work. The government will reimburse you for your moving expenses using a predefined rate based upon your rank and number of dependents. If you can hire a mover or move yourself using a UHaul for less than your moving allowance, you can keep the difference.
What do you need?
A DITY move requires organization. You may find help online at move.mil, but you must meet with your Transportation Office (TO) to go through counseling before you move. Your TO has current branch-specific information and experienced counselors. They can determine the paperwork that you will need to have to conduct a DITY move. It’s important to note that if you fail to complete this step, you could end up footing the entire bill for the move.
The DFAS website lists the paperwork required to document your PPM. The most important forms include but are not limited to:
- Official PCS orders
- DD 2278 (application for the PPM and the counseling checklist)
- DD 1351-2 (travel voucher)
You will also need the registration information for your vehicle and any large items that you are hauling, such as trailers or boats. Pay particular attention to what is considered an authorized expense by DFAS. Renting a moving truck, packing and shipping materials, gas and tolls for the vehicle are covered. Gas for a second vehicle, insurance costs, and your food and lodging are not authorized expenses.
Estimating the weight of your HHG’s will help the TO come up with an advance amount for your move. You can get up to 60% of your projected costs advanced. You may use an online weight calculator, or figure 1,000 pounds per room minus the bathroom. If you know that you don’t have many HHGs, adjust your estimate. You must repay whatever you overestimate. To be reimbursed, weigh your hauling vehicle at a weigh station before and after it is filled. Keep the official weight tickets to show that your HHGs fall within your weight allowance.
What If I Still Want to Hire a Mover?
Requesting a PPM move doesn’t mean you can’t hire a professional moving company to help with your move. In fact, it gives you the freedom to select your own moving company, which will allow you to negotiate your own price and give you more peace of mind about who is moving your things. Here are some of the recommended moving companies for the 5 biggest military bases in the U.S.:
- Fort Bragg (North Carolina): Stewart Moving and Storage
- Fort Campbell (Kentucky): Apex Moving and Storage (Clarksville, TN)
- Fort Hood (Texas): Army Ant Moving
- Joint Base Lewis-McChord (Washington): Tacoma Moving and Storage Co.
- Fort Benning (Georgia): Livingston Transfer & Storage Co.
To DITY or not to DITY?
The DITY move is not for everyone, but it is preferable for some service members. If you have the organizational skills to coordinate the logistics and keep track of the documentation for reimbursement, then it may be a good and profitable option.
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