Prepare for a Military Move

Military moves are a regular part of life for many servicemembers and their families. Even when a move is expected, relocating to a new duty station can disrupt routines, finances, school schedules, work arrangements, and day-to-day family life.

Planning ahead can make the transition more manageable. Understanding your orders, moving options, weight allowance, important documents, and responsibilities before moving day can help you stay organized along the way.

Understanding Military Move Terminology

The type of orders you receive will affect how you prepare for your move.

Permanent Change of Station (PCS)

A Permanent Change of Station (PCS) relocates a servicemember to a new duty station. Depending on the orders and circumstances, eligible dependents may accompany the servicemember.

Temporary Duty (TDY)

A Temporary Duty (TDY) assignment temporarily takes a servicemember away from their permanent duty station. Depending on the assignment, dependents may not accompany the servicemember.

You may also hear moves described as:

• CONUS: Within the continental United States

• OCONUS: Outside the continental United States

Understanding your orders is an important first step because your destination and type of move can affect transportation, housing, household goods, vehicle arrangements, and other benefits.

Choosing How to Move Your Household Goods

After receiving orders, you'll need to determine how your belongings will be moved. Generally, military families may encounter two primary approaches.

Household Goods Move

With a household goods move, the government arranges for a moving company to pack and transport authorized belongings to the new duty station.

Even when movers are handling most of your belongings, keep essential items with you during the transition. This could include important documents, medications, valuables, chargers, clothing, and anything you'll need before your household goods arrive.

Personally Procured Move

With a Personally Procured Move (PPM), you take greater responsibility for arranging and completing the move yourself and may be reimbursed according to applicable rules.

A PPM was previously commonly referred to as a Do-It-Yourself (DITY) move.

This option can provide greater control over the moving process, but it can also require more planning and coordination. Before choosing a PPM, make sure you understand the requirements associated with your orders.

Other Moving Options

Depending on your orders and circumstances, additional transportation or storage options may be available.

Unaccompanied Baggage

A portion of authorized belongings may qualify to be shipped separately so important household items can arrive before the majority of your household goods.

Privately Owned Vehicle

Depending on the type and location of your move, provisions may be available for transporting or storing a privately owned vehicle or for certain eligible travel expenses.

Non-Temporary Storage

Some moves may allow belongings to be stored rather than transported to the new duty station.

Because authorizations depend on individual orders, review what's included in your move before making arrangements.

Know Your Household Goods Weight Allowance

Military moves generally include an authorized household goods weight allowance. Your allowance can depend on factors such as rank, dependent status, and the type of move.

Exceeding an authorized allowance can result in additional costs, making it important to understand your limit before movers arrive.

The U.S. Transportation Command provides a Household Goods Weight Estimator that can help you estimate the weight of your belongings.

Your Transportation Office can also provide guidance regarding your specific orders, authorized weight, moving arrangements, and what can be transported.

Pay Attention to Restricted or Special Items

Not everything in your household can necessarily be packed and transported in the same way.

Certain items, including food, alcohol, firearms, and other regulated property, may be subject to special requirements or restrictions, particularly during an OCONUS move.

Rather than assuming an item can be packed, check the requirements associated with your move and destination in advance. Your Transportation Office can help answer questions about allowable or restricted items.

Tips for Preparing for Your Military Move

Organization before moving day can make a significant difference. Consider these steps as you prepare.

1. Create an Inventory

Document your belongings before they're packed. Take photographs showing the condition of valuable or important items and keep receipts or other documentation for higher-value possessions when available.

Having a personal record can be helpful when reviewing your belongings after delivery.

2. Declutter Before You Pack

Review your belongings before moving day and consider donating, selling, recycling, or disposing of things you no longer need.

Reducing what you move may also make it easier to stay within your authorized household goods weight allowance.

3. Keep Important Documents With You

Create a folder for documents you don't want packed in your household goods.

Depending on your family's circumstances, this may include:

• Military orders and moving paperwork

• Identification

• Birth certificates

• Marriage certificates

• Passports

• Medical records

• School records

• Wills and powers of attorney

• Vehicle titles

• Housing information

• Insurance information

Navy Mutual offers additional guidance on preparing important files for emergencies.

4. Create a "Do Not Pack" Area

Designate a specific location for belongings that will travel with you rather than with the movers.

Consider keeping items such as:

• Your important documents folder

• Prescription medications

• Jewelry and valuables

• Keys

• Phones, computers, and chargers

• Clothing and toiletries

• Items needed immediately upon arrival

Make sure movers know that everything in this area should remain with you.

5. Prepare Your Kitchen

Use or dispose of perishable food before moving day and avoid stocking the refrigerator and freezer immediately before your move.

For items you're unsure about transporting, check applicable moving requirements before packing.

6. Review Your Inventory at Delivery

When your household goods arrive, carefully review the mover's inventory information and compare it with your own records.

Look for missing or damaged items and follow the applicable process for documenting problems.

7. Forward Your Mail

Arrange to have your mail forwarded to your new address through the U.S. Postal Service.

8. Update Your Address

Once you know your new address, identify organizations and accounts that need to be updated. These might include:

• Financial institutions

• Insurance companies

• Government agencies

• Vehicle and driver's license records

• Health care providers

• Schools

• Employers

• Online retailers and subscription services

Keeping a checklist can help make sure important accounts aren't overlooked.

Make Your Next Move More Manageable

A military move involves much more than packing boxes. There are orders to understand, household goods to organize, documents to protect, and a new home and community to prepare for.

Starting early and keeping important information organized can make the transition less stressful for you and your family.

Most importantly, review the requirements associated with your specific orders before making major moving decisions. Your Transportation Office can provide guidance about the benefits and authorizations that apply to your move.

Author - Navy Mutual