A step-by-step guide for military service members and families managing a Permanent Change of Station move, covering orders, entitlements, housing, and family logistics.
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Orders and Initial Planning
Review your PCS orders for report date, authorized dependents, and weight allowance
Weight allowances range from 5,000 lbs for E-1 to 18,000 lbs for O-10. Going over your weight limit means paying out of pocket—roughly $0.50-$1.00 per pound over the allowance. Weigh in early to know where you stand.
Note your authorized travel days and per diem rates
Confirm your rank-based weight allowance including dependent entitlements
Visit the Transportation Office (TMO) on base for a move briefing
TMO provides free counseling, helps file paperwork, and coordinates the government-arranged move. Schedule this visit 6-8 weeks before your report date. Walk-ins are accepted but appointments get you in faster.
Create a PCS binder with copies of all orders, entitlements, and contact numbers
Keep digital and paper copies of your orders, LES (Leave and Earnings Statement), housing office contacts at both installations, and TMO phone numbers. You'll reference these documents dozens of times during the move.
DITY (PPM) vs. Government Move
Decide between a government-arranged move and a Personally Procured Move (PPM/DITY)
A PPM pays you 100% of what the government would have paid a moving company. For an E-5 moving 1,500 miles with full weight allowance, the PPM payout can be $4,000-$8,000. You pocket whatever you don't spend on the move.
If choosing PPM, get empty and full weight tickets for your vehicle or rental truck
Weight tickets are required for PPM reimbursement. Certified scales at truck stops cost $10-$15 per weigh. Get the empty weight before loading and the full weight after loading—both must be certified and dated.
Keep all fuel, lodging, and toll receipts for tax deduction purposes
Save the rental truck contract and mileage records
If choosing a government move, schedule the pack-out date with TMO
Government movers pack your entire household in 1-2 days and load in 1 day. You don't pack anything yourself. Schedule the pack-out to end 2-3 days before your departure date so you have time to clean and do a final walkthrough.
Consider a partial PPM for items you want to move yourself
You can do a split move: government movers handle the bulk shipment, and you do a partial PPM for items you want to keep with you. This is common for valuables, electronics, and items needed during transit.
Housing at New Duty Station
Check BAH (Basic Allowance for Housing) rates for your new location
BAH rates vary dramatically by location—from $900/month at rural bases to $4,000+/month near major metro areas. Check the current year's BAH calculator on the Defense Travel Management Office website.
Apply for on-base housing or start searching off-base rentals
On-base housing waitlists run 1-12 months depending on the installation and family size. Apply immediately even if you plan to live off-base—you can decline later. Off-base, connect with the installation's Housing Office for approved listings.
Schedule a house-hunting trip if your orders authorize one
Most PCS orders authorize up to 10 days of house-hunting TDY (Temporary Duty) with per diem. This covers lodging and meals while you search for housing at your new location.
Terminate your current lease using the SCRA (Servicemembers Civil Relief Act)
The SCRA allows you to break a lease with 30 days' written notice and a copy of your PCS orders. The landlord cannot charge early termination fees. Provide notice in writing and keep a copy with proof of delivery.
School and Childcare Enrollment
Research schools near your new duty station using the School Liaison Officer
Every installation has a School Liaison Officer (SLO) who helps military families with school transitions for free. The SLO knows local school ratings, enrollment processes, and special education services availability.
Register children for DoDEA schools if available on base
Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) schools serve military children on or near bases. Class sizes average 18-22 students. Registration requires PCS orders, birth certificates, immunization records, and previous school transcripts.
Apply for Child Development Center (CDC) care immediately
On-base childcare waitlists commonly run 3-12 months. Apply as soon as you receive orders, even before you arrive. Fees are based on total family income and range from $400-$900/month per child.
Medical Records and Healthcare
Transfer medical and dental records through your current MTF
Visit the Medical Treatment Facility (MTF) records department 2-3 weeks before your departure. Records transfer electronically through AHLTA/MHS Genesis, but bring paper copies of recent lab results, prescriptions, and specialist referrals as backup.
Refill all prescriptions for a 90-day supply before moving
Get copies of immunization records for each family member
Register with TRICARE in your new region
TRICARE regions (East, West, Overseas) have different managed care contractors. Update your DEERS record with your new address within 30 days of arrival to avoid gaps in coverage.
Enroll at the new MTF or find TRICARE-network providers off base
Smaller installations may not have a full-service hospital. Check if your new base has the specialty care your family needs. If not, TRICARE Prime allows referrals to civilian network providers at no additional cost.
Vehicle and Administrative Tasks
Arrange vehicle shipping for OCONUS moves or long distances
The military covers shipping one POV (Privately Owned Vehicle) for OCONUS PCS moves. Processing takes 2-4 weeks at the Vehicle Processing Center. Drop off your vehicle 2-3 weeks before your departure date.
Update vehicle registration and insurance for the new state
The SCRA protects you from paying vehicle property taxes in your new state if you maintain legal residency in another state. However, you still need to register the vehicle and carry insurance that meets the new state's minimum requirements.
File your travel voucher within 5 business days of arrival
Late voucher submission delays reimbursement. Your travel voucher covers mileage ($0.22/mile for PCS), per diem, and lodging for authorized travel days. DTS (Defense Travel System) or paper DD Form 1351-2 are the filing methods.
Update your SGLI beneficiary and emergency contact information
Life changes during PCS—new addresses, new emergency contacts—need to be reflected in your Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (SGLI) form and your unit's emergency recall roster within the first week at your new duty station.
Frequently Asked Questions
What moving expenses does the military cover during a PCS?
The military covers the full cost of a government-arranged move (Government Bill of Lading/GBL) or provides a monetary allowance if you choose a Personally Procured Move (PPM, formerly DITY). PPM reimbursement is based on 100% of what the government would have paid a commercial mover for the same weight and distance. Additionally, you receive Dislocation Allowance (DLA) — roughly $2,000-$5,000 depending on rank and dependency status — to cover miscellaneous moving expenses like deposits, temporary lodging, and utility connections.
How far in advance do you get PCS orders?
Active duty members typically receive PCS orders 3-6 months before the report date, though short-notice moves of 30-60 days are not uncommon, especially for operational assignments. OCONUS (overseas) assignments generally provide more lead time (4-6 months) due to visa, passport, and housing office coordination. Begin scheduling your Transportation Management Office (TMO) appointment immediately upon receiving orders — summer PCS season (May-September) books up quickly, and delays mean less favorable moving dates.
What is the weight limit for a military PCS move?
Weight allowances range from 5,000 lbs for an E-1 without dependents to 18,000 lbs for an O-10 or E-9 with dependents. Going over your weight allowance means you pay for every excess pound at commercial shipping rates, which can cost $1,000-$5,000 in overages. Weigh your shipment by driving the loaded truck across a certified scale before and after — TMO can provide locations of military-approved weigh stations near your installation.
Should I do a PPM (personally procured) or government-arranged PCS move?
PPM moves typically put $1,000-$5,000 in profit in your pocket because the military reimburses you for 100% of the government cost, which you can often beat with a rented truck and your own labor. However, if your shipment is damaged during a PPM move, you bear full responsibility — there are no military claims for self-moved items. Many families do a partial PPM: let the government ship the heavy furniture and appliances, and do a PPM for boxes and smaller items to earn extra reimbursement on the easy-to-move portion.