Boarding the PCS Roller Coaster

Five years ago we received PCS orders to report back—for the third time—to Fort Sill, Oklahoma.

I will be the first to admit that Fort Sill is not on my list of highly sought after assignments. However, to us, it’s six hours from home and family. We lucked into on-post housing, which is historical, though at times, quite hysterical.

Now, five years later, I look around at every piece of furniture and how perfectly it “fits” in this home. I have fallen in love with my butler’s pantry and my real-wood fireplace. We finally broke down a few months ago after waiting years to get PCS orders and purchased a new television and media center.

When we arrived here, we had no idea what was in store for us with Kevin’s job. Now, I look back at one of my favorite times in the Army, when Kevin taught the Captain’s Career Course, and I was able to mentor so many bright young leader spouses. The best battle buddies a girl could ask for were found here at Fort Sill. The camaraderie of the groups we were able to foster during our time here has been unmatched by anything I’ve done or participated in in 15 years of this life.

I love my hairstylist, my dentist, my nail tech, and our vet. The people where I check my business mail know me by name. The gate guards recognize my swagger wagon—I mean, van. It took two years, but we finally found a “home” with a local school we love that has caring teachers and an amazing staff. And last but not least, of course after five years of anticipation, Target has its red balls and logo all perched on their new store on 82nd street, ready to open in July.

You know what that means, don’t you?

Time to board the PCS Roller Coaster. 

That’s right, all aboard!

Be sure to fasten your seatbelts and pull your lever close so you don’t fall out, because we (as always) are about to embark on a crazy, loopy, emotional, physical ride that is never one for the faint of heart.

It takes a special type of person to do this over and over again with little to no notice and within someone else’s plan, doesn’t it?

We have been trying to PCS out of here for two years. We finally gave up trying and embraced that we were comfortable. Kevin had just returned from a deployment, and branch had just moved him from a FORSCOM unit back across the tracks. We assumed that was at least a year stability here at Sill, again.

This plan was so last month.

Last Monday, we returned from our trip to Las Vegas for spring break. During our break they had released a list of PCS options for his year group for the summer. He was told that he was moving, so he better make some choices.

That night we made choices. The next morning, he submitted them only to be told they were all full. Nothing on our list or in the vicinity of our list was available. I am sure that you can imagine the conversations and tears that were shed at my house. Frustrated. Purely frustrated.

We talked it over with each other and then fought it out with branch, and finally, on Wednesday afternoon, he found out he got one of the choices on his list—Denton, Texas. The job is with FEMA Region 6 and is something totally different than Kevin has ever done. He’s excited because it’s different. We are all excited because it’s Texas. We have some family in Texas so that is nice. It’s only 2.5 hours from where we are located. That makes things easier.

I am a military spouse, and this is not my first roller coaster ride. I don’t like being on it, but if I am going to have to be, then I might as well make the most of it. So, I immediately started my research.

Since Wednesday—yes, exactly one week ago—I have looked for rentals and decided to buy. I have researched neighborhoods and schools. I have called USAA Movers Advantage and been assigned a realtor. I have called two lenders and received pre-approval. We have driven down and checked out the area. We have looked at houses. We’ve put in an offer, and it was accepted last night.

A PCS definitely is a roller coaster ride, and there is so much more to think about: enrollment in schools, meeting friends, changing over medical benefits, setting up our utilities, finding a hairstylist, and so much more. I’m excited, nervous, and anxious.

I try to calm those nerves and fears by remembering how I felt leaving Fort Stewart five years ago and arriving back here at Fort Sill. I try to remind myself to look around at all of this wonderfulness and relationships and realize that it was just the same feeling when I left Stewart (and when we left Hood, too, for that matter). Every time we move I cry, I’m sad, and I’m excited and anxious all at one time when the moving truck pulls away.

It’s always an adventure.

Knowing I’m just “growing my military family” as we move along this journey helps me find some peace. Though I will openly admit that I am ready for this roller coaster to stop turning loops and head to the “comfortable” part of the ride, until then, I’m buckled in and grasping my bar tightly.

Maybe I’ll have the guts to open my eyes and raise my arms soon.