Frequently Asked Questions

What is a PCS Move?

In simple terms, a PCS move is a permanent change of station. A PCS move can be a move between one duty station and another, or between your final duty station and home of record upon retirement and discharge. You will be assigned to a location for at least 20 weeks for training or a job. The usual rotation for receiving PCS orders is every two to four years. Moving is a constant occurrence in the military, and we are here to equip you with the knowledge to make this a smooth process.

There are three types of moves: Personally-Procured Move, Government Contract Move, and the Combination Move.

The Personally-Procured move essentially is you moving your possessions yourself. It's also knows as a DITY move. The government will reimburse you for moving your belongings. Under the PPM Program, you may use your own personal vehicle, a rental, or a borrowed vehicle. You're entitled to travel allowances, per diem, and mileage through the government. You also receive $25,000 of insurance coverage.

-Government Contract Move Local TMO (Traffic Management Office) will verify your orders and contract a commercial moving company to pack, ship, and unpack your belongings. Combination Move: Can choose to use both the government contract option and the personally procured option. In this scenario, you will arrange for a government contracted commercial mover and have them ship your possessions to your next destination. Then move the rest via the personally procured option.

Be advised that you will need to:

1. Set up a meeting with your base transportation office:

-The Department of Defense: Joint Personal Property Shipping Office

-Air Force: Traffic Management Office

-Army: Installation Transportation Office

-Navy and Marine Corps: Personal Property Shipping Office

-Coast Guard: Household Goods Shipping Office

2. Contact the family center at your new location. Family centers offer relocation assistance programs that offer relocation assistance programs that provide moving information to you and your family.

3. If you're living in government quarters, notify the housing office of your projected move date.

4. Make an appointment with your finance office at your current installation. The finance office can give you information on your options, as well as relocation benefits that you're eligible for.

How to Get Kids Ready for A Military Move

Here are 5 tips to help relocation with your children easier.

1. Talk with your kids about the move.

While moving is stressful for adults, its also stressful for children. If this is your child's first move, they may feel like they are leaving their entire lives behind. You will want to have this conversation with them as early as possible, so they will be able to mentally prepare for the move.

2. Research Kid-Friendly Activities In Your New City

Most children will dread moving to a new city, but it's possible to get your children excited. They may fall in love with the idea of the fun and exciting attractions of their new location.

You'll also want to know about the community offerings such as swimming pools, playgrounds, parks, ettc.

3. Consider Childcare During the Move

Moving day will be stressful and hectic. There will be movers loading and unloading your possessions at your new destination. A dangerous situation could present itself when a child wants to play in an area where a mover is placing furniture or other heavy possessions. Consider researching sitters or daycare facilities until the move has been completed.

4. Let Kids Help

Having some ownership and helping in the decision making process may ease some of the anxiety and powerlessness they may feel with the upcoming changes.

5. Help Your Children Connect

Enroll them in activities and sports that they were involved in prior to the move. This will add some normalcy and will enable to them to make new friends in a new area.

How to Schedule A Military Move

The Defense Personal Property System is a logistics systems that moves shipments of personal goods of more than 1.3 million service members, 700,000 civilians, and their families.

1. Register for DPS

Military members must register as first-time users to receive a user ID to access DPS.

2. Upload Orders

Don't create a shipment on old previous orders. New shipments require new information.

3. Complete DD Forms 1299 and 1797.

DPS will generate the Application for Shipment (Department of Defense Form 1299) and Counseling Checklist (Department of Defense Form 1797. Signed documents and orders need to be submitted for processing and approval of the requested dates.

Members must contact requested PPPO to process shipment. It is required that individuals hand-carry the signed documents and complete set orders with amendments to their local PPPO.

First-time movers and individuals retiring or separating, must go to their local PPPO to manually complete shipment documents.

4. Look for more confirmation

Once the shipment is booked, the transportation service provider will send an e-mail to confirm information and move dates. The TSP's local agent will make contact to conduct a pre-move survey. Ensure the pre-move survey is done at least 5 days prior to the first scheduled packing day.

Household goods, HHG, shipments require separate pack dates based on the estimated weight of the property. Pack days can range from two to three days depending on your estimated weight.

5. Be familiar with Your Moving Responsibilities

Military members must separate military professional books, papers and equipment or PBP&E, that need to be separately packed. Items must be identified on inventory as "Pro-Gear or M-Pro".

If member declares PBP& E for a dependent spouse, PBP& E must also be distinctly separated and marked on inventory as "PBP& E for Spouse or S-Pro". All items must be identified at origin so the weight will not count against the authorized weight allowance.

6. Things to Remember After Pick-Up

If your shipment exceeds your authorized weight allowance, you must request a reweigh with your transportation service provider prior to accepting your personal property for delivery. Confirm that a reweigh was accomplished with your driver before any property is off-loaded from the delivery truck to your residence.