• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

US Military

  • Branches
    • Army
    • Navy
    • Air Force
    • Marine Corps
    • Coast Guard
    • National Guard
    • Air National Guard
    • Find A Recruiter
  • Find A Recruiter
  • Military Benefits
    • GI Bill
    • VA Loans
    • Military Scholarships
    • Military Friendly Colleges
    • Money
  • Jobs
    • Military Pay Chart
    • Veteran Jobs
    • Civilian Jobs
  • VA Loan Rates
  • Military News
    • Top News
    • Benefits
    • Careers
    • Education
    • Featured Columnists
      • Larry Fowler
      • Scott Ostrow
      • Kim Lengling
      • Dr. Sasha Toperich
      • Rick Stewart
  • USM Shop
  • GI Bill
  • VA Loans
  • Military Scholarships
  • Top Military-Friendly Colleges and Universities in America

5 Essential Moving Tips for Military Families

September 13, 2015 By larryf

Research from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau indicates that roughly one third of active servicemembers receive PCS orders each year, and if you?re one of the many, the tips below will help you make the transition as smooth as possible.

BECOME A MILITARY OFFICER WITH A COLLEGE DEGREE

1. Start planning as soon as you receive PCS Orders ? the time to receive orders can vary between 6 months and 3 weeks prior to the report date to the new location. Regardless of where you fit in on this timescale, you will have to start the moving process as soon as you receive those orders. Starting early is important especially if you?re PCS?ing during the peak season, which generally runs between May through August each year. During the peak time, securing the pickup and delivery dates you want may be more challenging so bottom line is to be proactive and don?t procrastinate.

2. Create a Moving Binder ? When moving to a new base, you will need important paperwork more often than expected such as social security cards, birth certificates, rental agreements, mortgage documents and most importantly copies of your orders. Put together all these documents in a distinct binder with sleeve protectors that contain all the aforementioned important documents.

3. Managing your PCS Move ? there are two ways to go about this ? either by visiting your personal property office or local installation?s transportation office to receive a relocation briefing and familiarize yourself with your moving options or simply going online and using the DPS (Defense Personal Property) System. Move.mil is the portal for DPS and is the ultimate hub to manage the entire moving process. Here you will receive first hand access to online training videos and checklists on the moving process, your entitlements and benefits, and even information on education and employment.

4. Be moved or Move Yourself ? you always have the option of moving yourself or DITY ? Do-It-Yourself or being moved by the government. Do-It-Yourself (DITY) moves or Personally Procured Moves (PPMs) provide you will more control over your move where you take on all the work right from the planning, moving to unpacking your belongings. Another perk of taking on all the work yourself is that the government will reimburse you 95% of the amount a commercial moving company would charge you for the move.

5. Familiarize yourself with your New Installation ? often times, it is impossible to drive over to check out your new location so the best alternative is to visit Military.com?s Installation Guide where you can get acquainted with the area you?re moving to along with important contact information, services, entertainment, housing information and even family support functions.

PCS checklists prove handy in one way or another and allow you to plan your entire move 3 months prior to your actual moving day and until you actually arrive at your new destination.

Military families are always on the move so it?s best to be prepared and educate yourself on the services available to you in order to make a great move each time.

Filed Under: mostpopular, Top News

[related_posts_by_tax format="thumbnails" limit_posts="100" image_size="sidebar-thumbnail" public_only="true" posts_per_page="6"]

Primary Sidebar

USMilitary.com Career Guide

Sign up to receive USMilitary.com email updates and to hear what's going on with all military branches!

Featured Columnists

Larry Fowler

Larry Fowler is the publisher of USMilitary.com Network one of America's premier privately owned

Autobiography Compares Living Faithfully With Navy SEAL Training (BUD/S).

Scott Ostrow

Lt Col (Dr.) Scott A. Ostrow retired from the Air Force in September 2005 and has been teaching

Must Read: The Truth About The ASVAB Test Prep From The Man Who Wrote The Book

Kim Lengling

Kim Lengling is a Air Force Veteran whose passion is to help support veterans and their

The Moving Wall: Women Who Paid The Ultimate Price For Their Country

Dr. Sasha Toperich

Dr. Sasha Toperich is the Senior Executive Vice President at Transatlantic Leadership

Sarraj’s Dangerous Dance With Power

Rick Stewart

Rick Stewart is a former United States Air Force Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape (SERE)

Announcing American Patriots Unsung Magazine

Nathan B. Nelson

Capt (ret) Nathan B. Nelson is the Director of Military Affairs for the 1st Congressional district

Three Critical Considerations for Every Veteran Prior to Leaving Active Duty

Laquan Daniels

Laquan Daniel is a military recruiting expert with over 17 years of specialized experience in the

Important News For Military Transitioning Veterans

Veteran Buzz

Hire Military Veterans

Which Companies Are Most Likely to Hire Military Veterans?

July 30, 2018 By Ben Ehinger

High-Paying Jobs for Military Veterans

5 High-Paying Jobs for Military Veterans

July 2, 2018 By Ben Ehinger

High Paying Jobs Not Requiring a Degree

June 28, 2018 By Ben Ehinger

Footer

  • Advertise With Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Write For US
  • Link to Us

Recent

  • A Few Benefits You May Not be Aware of As a Military Child
  • Experts Predict Artificial Intelligence Will Transform Warfare
  • Autobiography Compares Living Faithfully With Navy SEAL Training (BUD/S).
  • The Unraveled Pandemic Of Navy SEAL Posers
  • Apache Attack Helicopter Pilot: To Maintain a Watchful Eye, “Above the Best”

Search

© Copyright 2021 USMillitary
Web Design by Goebel Media Group


THIS IS A PRIVATE WEBSITE THAT IS NOT AFFILIATED WITH THE U.S. GOVERNMENT, U.S. ARMED FORCES, OR DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS. U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES HAVE NOT REVIEWED THIS INFORMATION. THIS SITE IS NOT CONNECTED WITH ANY GOVERNMENT AGENCY.

​Tips
Discounts
News

​

​

Join the USMilitary.com Newsletter Today!

By subscribing you agree to our terms & conditions

x