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Plan Your Next Military PCS

Overview

Whether you are heading across the state or across the world, the Defense Department offers an array of support to help you master your military move. As soon as you know about a move, start preparing your plan of action and access tools and support. Use the following tips and resources to help prepare.

Learn about PCS basics

Knowing what to expect can help you plan successfully for your move. Learn more about PCS basics and how the Defense Department Relocation Assistance Program can help make your move as easy as possible from one duty station to the next.

Moving tools made for the military

It’s never too early to start planning for your move and exploring your new home.

Find resources to take control of your move with Plan My Move and MilitaryINSTALLATIONS tools, Defense Personal Property System and your local Relocation Assistance Program office and more.

  • Create customized checklists with the Plan My Move online tool. Whether it’s locating a new school, securing new housing or preparing financially for the move, the Plan My Move checklist will help ensure you won’t forget a thing,
  • Access comprehensive moving information and resources for planning and scheduling your move. Find the Defense Personal Property System, or DPS, login, PCS entitlements, tips and tools for arranging a personal property shipment, and customer service contacts in our Moving Your Personal Property overview page.
  • With the MilitaryINSTALLATIONS tool, you can start exploring your new installation and the community around it. Find important contacts, on-base procedures and resources, state and local programs, neighborhood and school information, maps, photos and more.

Talk to your family about the move

Seize the opportunity of your move and talk openly and often with your entire family about the upcoming changes. While it’s an exciting time, it can also bring uncertainty, especially for children. Explain to them that the move is a chance to explore a new place, make some new friends, and that even in a new location, the love and support of their family will not change.

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Discover additional resources to help you and your children make a smoother transition.

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Make the move easier for your pet and you.

When you’re preparing for a move, having a pet can add another layer of complexity. Spend time up front planning so you can ease the stress of moving your pet.

Carry the essentials

Depending on your new location, you may have to wait for your boxes to arrive. To help you settle in as smoothly as possible, carry important items for safe keeping and easy access. Here’s what to keep close.

Stay organized by putting all your important paperwork in a binder to hand carry. Check off each item in your Plan My Move lists and make multiple copies, as appropriate.

Important documents include:

  • Orders – Keep your original set of orders with you at all times, and make more than one copy.
  • Identification for each family member – Bring your military IDs, driver’s licenses, Social Security cards and passports for all family members, as well as birth, marriage and naturalization certificates.
  • Vehicle documentation – Carry your vehicle title or lease information and proof of vehicle inspection, registration and insurance.
  • Financial information – Bring personal checks, any hard copies of recent bank statements and all credit and debit cards, even the ones from department stores you never use.
  • Housing information – Carry the household inventory list your moving company provided, as well as lease or mortgage paperwork.
  • Legal documents – Bring divorce or annulment paperwork from a previous marriage, wills, custody or adoption paperwork, and any active power of attorney documents.
  • School or employment records – Carry all transcripts, report cards or grade sheets your children may need for school registration. If your child has an individualized education program, or IEP, it’s important to carry this with you. If you are moving with a child with special needs, learn more about support provided by the Exceptional Family Member Program.
  • Medical and physician information – Medical, dental and vaccination records will likely be needed for school registration and for some employment.

You may want to take an extra step and back up important files on a flash drive, external hard drive or in the cloud.

Because moving delivery delays can happen, it’s a good idea to carry essential items with you. Some items to consider hand carrying are:

  • Medication for each family member – This includes any prescription medications, as well as basics like aspirin.
  • Phones and chargers – Think of how helpful it will be to have your phone on you and fully charged once you arrive.
  • Valuables – If you can’t imagine living without a family heirloom or treasured item, carry it with you for safekeeping.
  • Home items – If you are doing a stateside PCS and have your vehicle with you, pack a box with items you’ll need as soon as you arrive at your new house. Even if your belongings are scheduled to arrive “door-to-door,” it’s a good idea to plan for an extra day or two without your things because moving delays happen, especially in summer. Items to have on hand include:
    • Toilet paper
    • Paper towels
    • Hand soap
    • Cleaners
    • Toilet brush
    • Broom
    • Mop
    • Drinks and snacks
    • Diapers
    • Paper plates
    • Extra sheets and towels
    • An air mattress

If you’re PCSing overseas, include essential kitchen items, baby equipment and other necessary items with your unaccompanied baggage. For more information about unaccompanied baggage, contact your local transportation office.

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Pro tips

Put these ideas into action to help you track the progress of your move.

  • Set milestones by breaking down the move into manageable tasks with deadlines — pack garage, book moving company, etc.
  • Prepare for the unexpected. Delays often happen during a PCS move, so if you remain flexible and calm, you and your family can adapt together and manage the stress.

Support to help make your final military move a success

For most service members leaving the military, either at retirement or at their end of active service separation, a final move at government expense is authorized. In addition to the general moving advice above, be sure to keep in mind some unique aspects of your final move.

You may be entitled to a number of moving benefits that include storage of household goods, travel allowances and a per diem.

The Defense Department Transition Assistance Program has information, tools and training to prepare you and your family for your military-to-civilian transition. Tap into more information and support:

  • Find your nearest Transition Assistance Program office.
  • Speak with a Transitioning Veterans specialty consultant to get answers to your questions.
    • Whether you are 12 months out from retirement or separation or within 365 days of your last day of service, you are eligible for this free, personalized transition support offered by Military OneSource.
    • Through a series of sessions, a professionally trained consultant will help you identify goals and navigate benefits and resources.

Find PCS support for all of your moving questions

You have a number of resources available to help with your moving questions and support.

Military OneSource consultants are available 24/7/365 to answer your questions and connect you with resources you need. Call 800-342-9647, use OCONUS calling options or schedule a live chat.

Resources, benefits and Military OneSource services as you plan your next military PCS

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