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Step-by-Step PCS Guide

When your service member comes home with the words “we got orders,” you probably immediately begin making a mental list of all the PCS prep you need to do. We get it! It’s so many things, and none of us want to forget an important part.

Here’s out PCS checklist that can help you with any PCS, whether CONUS, OCONUS, or DITY!

1. Make 10 copies of PCS orders.

Trust us on this one. Once you have your copies, keep them in a safe place. Check out our short video here to create a PCS Binder. If videos aren’t for you, we have a post about creating a binder before moving OCONUS. Also, check out this amazing checklist we have created with everything broken down week by week!

2. Research your new location.

Get connected to social media pages. The best way to do that? Check out our Post With the Most of the website. It’s filled with duty station information you want to know and things you may not have considered. 

3. Try out Plan My Move.

If you’re someone who is always worried you’re going to forget a step in the moving process, try out the Plan My Move section of Military OneSource’s website. You plug in where you’re leaving from and where you’re going to, then answer a few questions to develop your personalized checklist. This is especially recommended if you’re PCSing without your service member. 

4. Decide on housing.

There are two options: on the installation or off. You can find housing information specific to your next location in our Post With the Most, which includes both privatized or government housing options as well as realtors in the area. If you want housing on the installation, get on a list as soon as you have orders. You can find information straight from U.S. Army Housing here. Choosing to live away from the installation? Check out Automated Housing Referral Network, MilitarybyOwner, or Military Town Advisor. 

5. Figure out your PCS.

You will need to decide who is moving your stuff. The government can hire movers to come pack everything for you (including unpacking and assembly at your destination), or you can do what’s called a Personally Procured Move (PPM), formerly known as a DITY. 

  • PPM: There are four ways you can do a PPM. Most people know the main way—you do all the packing and moving on your own—but there are some other combinations you may prefer. The government will reimburse you the cost of moving. Go here for all the details about PPMs. Transportation can be a huge help in advising you through this process. 
  • Government move: You must start the process with Transportation, to set up dates and times for movers to come pack your stuff. You must begin with move.mil to set it up. Your transportation agen will go over the system with you and explain how to set up your account. You will use this same website if you need to make claims for damaged or lost property. It can be a difficult website, so try to have patience and ask for help if needed. 
  • You can also do a partial DITY, receiving compensation for moving some things yourself. 

Find out more about how to prepare for an OCONUS move here. 

6. Organize your finances.

Consider creating a budget and saving money for anything that could happen during a PCS, from a broken down vehicle, to an extended stay in a hotel, or anything else you can think of. You can also find out more about the entitlements and allowances from the Defense Travel Management Office. Here are a few allowances and how they work:

  • Dislocation Allowance (DLA): DLA is provided to partially reimburse the service member for expenses incurred during a PCS or due to an evacuation. You may receive part of DLA prior to moving. Your service member can accomplish this by contacting the finance office at your current installation.
  • Mileage Allowance: The government will reimburse the service member for using their private vehicle to PCS or go on TDY. The service member is reimbursed based on a rate per mile formula rather than the actual cost of operating the vehicle. Make sure you maintain all gas receipts during your PCS. 
  • Per Diem Allowance: This is the allowance provided to pay for the meals and lodging of a service member and dependents during a PCS or TDY.  Make sure your service member keeps all receipts, just in case.
  • Temporary Lodging Expense (TLE): This is an allowance that is provided to offset the cost of lodging and meals for a service member and their dependents when they need to occupy temporary lodging prior to departing their losing station or when arriving at their gaining station. This basically means if you need to stay in a hotel right before you leave your current installation or if you need to stay in a hotel when you first arrive at your new installation. Make sure you maintain all lodging and food receipts.  

You can find out more about relocation assistance here. 

7. Craft a PCS timeline.

It’s easiest to backplan, going from your arrival date at the new duty station and working backward. Make a spreadsheet or fill in a calendar with your stops on the road, when you will have your final housing inspection, when to turn off electricity or cable and internet, when to ship your vehicle (if OCONUS), when to get health screenings or paperwork for your children and pets. If you do it right in the beginning, it will save you so much time and stress. Include lodging locations, phone numbers, etc. This calendar/spreadsheet should go in your PCS Binder.

8. Transfer your TRICARE benefits.

It’s as easy as a phone call! Let them know where you are moving to, and the representative will contact the new region and begin your enrollment transfer. A representative from the new service region will contact you five days prior to your arrival at your new duty installation. Just in case, you still have the phone numbers below in case you have to call them.

TRICARE East: 1-800-444-5445

TRICARE West: 1-844-866-9378

TRICARE Overseas: Go here to find country-specific numbers. 

Don’t disenroll from any plan before you move, that way you are covered while traveling.  When you get to your new location, make sure you update your address and phone number in DEERS

9. Prepare your pets.

If living on the new installation, find out what pets are allowed and what the requirements are. Not every breed is allowed on installations, and there may be a pet number limit. Also, make pet arrangements for traveling. Ensure you have a health certificate and all your vet records and that your lodging allows pets (and at what cost). You can find a list of pet-friendly hotels here. If you’re traveling overseas, you will require additional documentation for your pet. If possible, work with an installation veterinarian who can handle all the paperwork for you in-house. The paperwork can be managed through civilian vets, but not all civilian vets have USDA stamps (required for OCONUS travel) and you may have to drive to get that stamp. Go here for more information about moving overseas with pets. 

For more on moving with pets, either CONUS or OCONUS, go here. 

10. Complete the PCS walkthrough.

If you’re doing a government move, you will do a walkthrough with your company. This means that a representative from the moving company will come to your house to take a look at how much stuff you own to estimate how many boxes they may need, how many large furniture items you have, and any special packaging they should bring. Make sure you show them everything, and don’t forget rooms such as your attic, basement, and outside storage areas. Some moving companies may try to do this with you over the phone, or even a video chat. If that’s the case, make sure you give them as much information as possible and take your time.

11. Prep for movers.

If you’re going OCONUS, read about your packing processes here. If you want specific ways to prep your house before movers arrive, go here. 

Here are our best tips for prepping for movers to make the process easy on everyone: 

  • Toss, donate, and purge. Go through everything, and have a garage sale or donate items to your local consignment shop or Goodwill.
  • Make sure you keep a household inventory of your items. Keep track of what you own. Take pictures of expensive and high value items. Make sure you have a log of all model and serials numbers for all the electronics in your home, to include TVs, computers, digital cameras, gaming equipment, etc. 
  • Buy a bunch of Ziploc bags and grab a Sharpie and a roll of tape. Tape the bag to the wall next to all the furniture that could possibly be disassembled, then label the furniture however you think is best. Use your child’s name for their bedroom furniture so you don’t confuse them. The movers will drop all parts into these bags, seal them, and add them to your hardware/parts box. Once you arrive at your new location, you’ll know exactly what hardware goes to what furniture. No more poorly labeled tape balls!
  • Print labels with your name, address, phone number, and email. You can use a parent’s address if you don’t have one at the new location yet. Add these to every box in case one goes missing. 
  • Purchase duct tape in various colors and assign one color to each room. Add the tape to the boxes. Once they come off the truck at your new home, you’ll know what room they go in without reading a mover’s label. 
  • Take everything off the walls. 
  • Designate one room in your home as a “No Entry Zone.” Clear it out completely, then use that room to store anything you don’t want the movers to pack (suitcases, pet supplies, important documents, medications, valuables, etc.). And we mean anything. You can also keep pets in the same room. Tape a big sign to the door noting that all items have been removed, and lock it if you can. If you have extremely valuable or priceless items that mean everything to you, pack them yourself and store them in your car. Keep some paper plates, plastic cups, plastic utensils, toilet paper, etc. in here.
  • You may want to pack toilet paper, blankets, pillows, your plastic kitchen supplies, a portable DVD player, toys, and items to keep the kids occupied, and anything else you may need while waiting on your household goods at your next destination.
  • You may choose to pack some items back in their original boxes or in plastic bins. This is fine, but make sure you don’t seal any of the boxes or totes. Let the movers do this. If the movers are unable to inspect the contents and seal the box themselves, then they will not be responsible for the contents of that box.
  • Most moving companies will not transport candles, batteries, live plants, or liquids. They will, however, pack non-perishables. Ask your movers to simply set any items they cannot pack to the side, then decide if you will move them yourself or pass them on to a neighbor or friend. 

12. Manage the move.

Be prepared to feel like a lot is happening all at once. It can seem like a frenzy when you have four or five people putting things in boxes. It can be doubly difficult if you’re managing it alone. Take a breath and take your time. If you didn’t have a new address before your belongings were packed, make sure you call transportation once you have one. They will set up a time for the movers to bring your HHG to your new home.. Here are some things to remember:

  • Be sure to check in with your movers as they pack. If you’re adding labels and colored duct tape to your boxes, this is a great way to keep moving through your home. If you feel they aren’t doing a quality job, don’t be afraid to say something nicely. They’re being paid to take care of your household goods and get them to your next home safely and in one piece.
  • Consider offering your movers snacks and cold drinks. Some families like to provide a meal, but it isn’t required. Others will keep pastries and coffee on-hand for the morning, then provide a small meal for lunch.
  • Do a complete walk through of your home before the movers leave to make sure everything has been packed and nothing was forgotten. Be sure to check every cabinet, drawer, and the top shelves of closets. 
  • Make sure the movers have listed each item on your inventory. Take your time to read through all the paperwork and make sure everything is correct. Don’t overlook the sections that note damage on your furniture. Be sure that damage is listed correctly. 
  • Make sure all boxes have an inventory sticker. You can follow the mover who makes the inventory sheet to check it yourself.  

13. The final step.

On the day the movers show up, the same rules apply as when the movers packed your stuff. Here are some things to remember:

  • Show the movers the layout before they begin unloading. If you’re managing the unload by yourself, let the movers know. They will work with you so it isn’t overwhelming.
  • Have a plan for unloading. Remember that colored duct tape? Add a matching sticky note, piece of construction paper, or more of that tape to mark the rooms. Inform the unloaders what it all means, and they will follow it. 
  • Make sure you mark each item on the inventory as it comes off the truck. Make sure you point out anything missing to the movers. Once again, it is up to you whether or not you provide the movers with lunch. Do consider the work they’re doing, and at the very least have some cold drinks available.
  • Anything the movers took apart when they packed your home up, they are required to put back together in your new home. The only exception is baby cribs. 
  • Movers are also required to unpack unless you sign off that you don’t want their help. If you want them to unpack, then don’t sign until their work is complete. If you’re happy to unpack yourself, then you can sign without them doing anything. You can also request a partial unpack, like your children’s bedrooms or your kitchen. 
  • Make sure you find the boxes containing any high value items and check the contents. You will need to do this before signing off on the inventory.
  • Again, make sure you read over all paperwork before you sign it. Especially if items are missing. Take pictures of all damaged items. Try to keep them somewhere if possible. The movers will send an inspector out to take a look at damaged items after you begin the claims process. If you have pictures, that is acceptable and you will want to submit those with your claim online, but it is even better if the inspector can see the actual damage. Need help with your claim? Go here for help filing your claim. 
  • If you need to file a claim for missing or damaged items, you will be instructed to go back to the DPS website, move.mil, to file your claim. There will be directions provided on the website on how to file your claim.

Still looking for more tips? Don’t miss our four-part series, Ultimate PCS Handbook, to learn the ins and outs of the moving industry and more helpful tips on the PCS process. 

Other helpful CONUS blogs include:

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