Field Problem: Tips for First-Time PCSer

Dear, Field Problems:

I have been married to my husband for eight months. He has been in OSUT the last three months and will be graduating soon. He will be stationed at Fort Stewart, Georgia, right after graduation. and it will be our first duty station.

I am currently living in Illinois. I’d like to get advice or tips on moving (especially your first move) in the Army. I also have some general questions: What do you wish you had known before your first move? Should I go with him or stay here until he gets settled and then move there? Where do I find information on housing and communities in the area?

Amanda; new military spouse

Dear, Amanda:

Welcome to milspouse life! It’s a challenging but rewarding lifestyle you will mysteriously both fall in love with and despise at the same time.

Every individual handles this life differently. My answer comes from a very independent and “need to be in control” background. I’ll address each of your questions individually because they deserve their own thorough answers.

What do you wish you had known before your first move?

My husband and I got lucky on our first move to Fort Hood, TX, with the Army. I was working for a company that transferred me to a job in the area. My company paid for certain aspects of our travel and temporary housing. We were able to fly down in advance to look for housing, and my company paid all of our hotel stays. Has that happened since? No way!

On our first move, I wish I had known about what is commonly called a “partial DITY” (do-it-yourself) move, second vehicle mileage allotment, and being reimbursed. I also think that we could have done much better had we researched how to properly file a claim on damaged or missing household goods. I think we ate about $500 on that mistake. Knowledge truly is power.

Should I go with him or stay here until he gets settled and then move there?

I have known both of these situations to happen. Logistically, sometimes it is easier for your service member to get settled in an area before you and your pets (or children) join him. The example I use is: sending me to the store with a list to come back with groceries, or sending me, three children, two dogs, and a cat to the store with a list to come back with groceries.

You get my point.

You have to know how your family adjusts to stressful situations. You have to have a plan on how you are going to balance everything during the move. You also have to know your options and have a backup plan during the moving process and once you get there until you secure housing.

One thing you might want to consider is measuring how strongly you feel about relinquishing the control of decisions regarding your living arrangements to your service member. In my personal experience, I’m much too controlling of where I live to relinquish that power. I prefer to make that decision jointly.

I also have the opinion that this is where I will spend pretty much all my time, so I’d like to pick it in person. I do my research, and sometimes fork out the money to explore the area (think “mini-vacation”) ahead of time. This is not always going to be possible; so far I’ve been lucky. I have always moved with my husband. It’s an experience I think everyone should have at least once. Both options make sense; it’s really up to you. In your case, you didn’t mention children, so I would say go with him and enjoy the adventure.

Where do I find information on housing and communities in the area?

First, I recommend visiting the installation’s website. Most installations will have a relocation link on their main page. The housing assistance office can help you with on-post housing and application processes. Sadly, I will tell you most housing offices are of little or no assistance with off-post matters unless you find yourself at an overseas location.

Don’t let that deter you.

Check out the Automated Housing Referral Network for residential areas near the installation. Open a map app and see what cities are around the installation. Once you find your favored area, search for local realtors, rentals, communities, neighborhoods and even request information from the local Chamber of Commerce.

Also, check out our Post With the Most series for tried and true links to realtors, schools, installation housing offices, and more. We even include testimonials from the folks who have lived there as well as links to social media pages that will be helpful in your research. Click the magnifying glass on the right side of your screen to search by installation name.

I’d like to get advice or tips on moving (especially your first move) in the Army.

First things first, your service member should get his PCS orders and then set up an appointment with Transportation.

Typically you have three options:

1. Let the military hire a civilian moving company to pack and move you all at the military’s expense
2. A Personal Procured Move—formerly and sometimes still known as the DITY (Do IT Yourself) move
3. A partial DITY move which is a combination of options 1 and 2.

From that transportation appointment, he will learn the regulations for moving, entitlements, allotments, pet shipment, vehicle shipment, unaccompanied baggage, and anything else related to your relocation. Basically, he’ll learn what is covered, to whom, and to where. He’ll give Transportation a date to have the movers come pick up your household goods. Then he’ll give them a date to deliver the goods. They can hold them in storage until you confirm the housing arrangements if you do not have them in advance.

You can also attend this appointment. In fact, I encourage you to. The success of your move is in the details. Obviously, details change from post to post, CONUS to OCONUS, and PCS to PCS. Get the specifics detailing your particular move. You will learn a wealth of information but it is well worth your time to attend.

In the meantime here is some good advice I’ve gathered from other spouses as well as from my experience:

• Gather your important documents (medical records, marriage license, military ID, children’s school records, vet records, and-orders) and hand carry them to your next station.
• Call your local Veterinary Treatment Facility and find out any requirements for moving your pet, such as interstate health certificates or OCONUS health certificates.
• Notify your children’s school of the upcoming PCS about three months out or as soon as possible.
• Book temporary accommodations for your travel and arrival at the new location.
• Plan your route to the new location.
• Service your vehicles.
• Use up items that cannot be moved like food, cleaning products, candles, and other liquid or perishable items.
• Research your new area using installation web pages, social media sites, or our Post With the Most series.
• Start and keep a household inventory including serial numbers of all electronics and appliances.
• Take pictures of all of your goods so that if completely lost you have something you can reference.
• Have your post office hold your mail or forward it to your permanent address until you know your new location.
• Obtain a Power of Attorney even if your service member will be with you during the move (I think it’s always good to have one. You just never know when you’ll have to use it.)
• Update your military ID card and driver’s license before you leave (if necessary).
• Always have additional copies of your service member’s orders with you at all times during your move.
• Separate “do not pack” items from the items the movers are going to pack.
• Place valuables in a fire proof safe or locked box.
• Don’t pack anything yourself, let the movers do it.
• Show the movers where the bathroom is and where to find snacks and drinks (they pack nicer for you).
• Watch the movers at all times. Trust no one.
• Don’t be afraid to be assertive with the movers, ask for extra packaging or special care.
• Don’t confuse assertiveness with rudeness—that will get you nowhere but with a bunch of broken items.
• Carefully review your household inventory before signing it. Pay close attention to the columns that list potential damage to your items and fill out the high value inventory section properly!
• Watch the movers load each box onto the truck.
• Watch the movers count and label the boxes or do it with them.
• Be sure to pack your car(s) for the long trip if you are driving and make it as comfortable as you can for your children, pets, and yourself.

I don’t think I ever knew that it would be that hard to leave my “home” to go someplace I was so excited to get to. Leaving your family for the first time will never be easy. Not that I thought it would be, but I never knew it would be that hard.

Ironically, it doesn’t ever seem to get easier. As you go on through your service member’s career with the military, your moves might flow better in terms of knowing what is going to happen next, but it’s never easy to leave. Inevitably, you will find something you love at each station that is just hard to let go. Going new places and seeing and doing new things is exciting. Not knowing what is around the bend is stressful.

So, take your time, do your research, and don’t be afraid to ask for help.