All the Things to Prepare for PCS

A permanent change of station (PCS) is an unavoidable part of military life, with over 400,000 service members making the move each year.

PCS moves involve a variety of steps and considerations, from planning for transportation to finding housing and other logistics.

That's why transportation service providers offer resources to help service members and their families prepare for a successful PCS move.

But first, it’s important to familiarize yourself with the terms and processes associated with military moves, as well as the specific forms and paperwork required. This can help you avoid unexpected surprises during your move.

When you read this article, you will know exactly what steps to take in order to get ready for your PCS move as soon as possible. It covers a checklist of essential steps and a few special tips for successful preparation.

Your Permanent Change of Station Checklist

Having a checklist of items that need to be completed before moving day will help ensure that everything goes smoothly and on time. Military relocations can go off without a hitch if enough planning and forethought are put into them.

Here is a checklist you can follow to ensure that you and your family are able to get ready for your PCS move quickly and easily.

1) Discuss the Move With Your Family

Changing duty stations can be both an exciting and stressful time. It is important to talk to your family about the move and make sure everyone understands what's going on.

Let your family members know about your military move orders and give young kids time to adjust to the news.

Communication with family members is key when it comes to making a successful move. Make sure everyone is aware of what’s going on and provide them with all the necessary information.

2)Visit Your Local Transportation Office

Making an appointment with the local transportation office is an important step to make sure you can get the services and resources you need.

Whether you are looking for information about public transportation, private carpools, or other forms of transportation, your local office can provide you with the answers.

It is important to familiarize yourself with the representatives and the process they will be helping you with before making an appointment. Each branch of the military has its own office for transportation matters, so it is important to know which one to contact.

When making an appointment at your local transportation office, it is important to bring all necessary documents and information related to your inquiry.

This includes any paperwork you need to register your car or get a driver's license, as well as any other important paperwork.

Additionally, it is helpful to have a list of questions prepared ahead of time so that you can make sure all of your concerns are addressed during the meeting.

3) Research Your New Station

When moving to a new duty station, it is important to do research about the area. This includes researching local BAH rates and rental property options both on- and off-base.

MyBaseGuide is an excellent resource for finding military-trusted businesses, schools, restaurants, and activities in the area.

Additionally, exploring the surrounding area can help you get a better understanding of what is available near your new station.

Requesting a copy of one's medical record should be among the last things service personnel under PCS orders do at least one month before the transfer.

When moving to a new duty station, it's possible to have copies of loved ones' medical records transferred from their current civilian health care providers to the military medical facility closest to your new duty station.

4) Record a List of Your Household Goods

An important part of getting ready for a DIY move is making a list of your common household items. It is essential to make a list of all the items you own, as well as take pictures of any expensive, fragile, or important items.

With this, you can easily keep track of your belongings and their location throughout the relocation process.

Also, it can help to keep paperwork, orders, records, and other important information in a safe, centralized place, like a binder that is easy to carry.

5) Inform Your Landlord

When it comes to breaking a lease due to military orders, the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) provides protection for military personnel.

You should give your landlord a copy of your orders and let them know about the situation as soon as you can. When the following month's rent is due, the lease will end.

However, living in certain states like California can have its own set of special requirements.

California is a community property state, meaning that income earned outside of California may need to be reported to the California government if one spouse is a resident and the other is not.

6) Update Your Visa and Passport

Having a valid passport and visa is a must while preparing for a PCS move. A passport's expiration date is due at least six months (and sometimes longer) after the intended period of stay in the country.

If either of these documents has expired or will expire soon, you should apply for renewal as soon as possible.

It is also important to find out about any other requirements, like vaccinations or special permits, that may be needed to get into the country.

Depending on the country, this could take anywhere from a few weeks to a couple of months.

By doing these things ahead of time, you can make sure that your travel plans go as planned and that you don't have to wait because your documents are out of date.

7) Put Together a Moving Kit

People with PCS orders can use personally procured moves (PPM) for temporary duty assignments, retirement, or to move into or out of government housing.

PPMs involve organizing the move of household goods without using military moving services.

Military OneSource provides a variety of resources to help make PCS easier and safer. With Plan My Move, an online tool that helps create, organize, and manage PCS through customized checklists, you can get organized for your move with ease.

Additionally, Military OneSource provides 24/7 assistance with moving and settling.

8) Set a Budget and Save

The next thing you should do while preparing for a PCS is make a budget and start saving. It's important to establish a budget that will help you save money before the move as well as provide a financial safety net in case of unexpected costs.

9) Get Important Records

When it comes to important records, there are a few key documents that everyone should have on hand.

For military personnel, these documents need to be kept up-to-date. Claim RITA in block 18 of DD Form 1351-2 and make sure it is signed and dated by both yourself and your reviewer or supervisor.

You should also include all changes to DD Form 1614 (Travel Authorizations and Orders), Direct Deposit Form SF1199A, W-2s, the RITA Certified Statement of Income and Tax Filing Status, and the Federal Income Tax Return (Form 1040).

10) Complete all Out-Processing Paperwork

When leaving an installation, it is important to complete all out-processing paperwork. This paperwork will include questions about your new installation, who you are traveling with, and any dependents.

It is also important to keep in mind that that the military will pay for a spouse to move with the military member if they choose to do so. In the memo from the Per Diem Travel and Transportation Allowances Committee, you can also find the per diem rates for spouses' relocation.

11) Register Your Vehicle at Your New Installation

Make sure to learn the specifics of your new state's registration policies. Not complying with state vehicle registration regulations can lead to fines and other penalties.

Active-duty service members will not have to pay for the federal government to help them schedule the delivery of one personal car to a foreign country.

If you are moving from one country to another, this can be a cheap way to get your car there.

However, when moving more than one vehicle or a large amount of other goods, you can't rely on free shipping from the military.

12) Reserve a Hotel

Booking a hotel before your move is an important step in the relocation process. It can help to ensure that you have a comfortable place to stay during the transition and avoid any last-minute surprises.

In order to get an accurate estimate of your moving time, you should contact your transportation office before making any reservations. With this information, you may schedule your trip and overnight stay accordingly.

Bottom Line

In conclusion, military moves can be a complicated process. It is best to start getting ready for a PCS move early by planning ahead and doing a lot of research.

Getting in touch with the right people, like the transportation office or family services, can help the process go more smoothly. They also give you access to counselors who can help you with your move and answer any questions you have about the process.

To make this entire process easier, contact a military transportation service provider like A1 Auto Transport.

We not only transport your personal property, including vehicles, but we also make it our mission to help you and your family move quickly and comfortably. And we do it all with a 20% discount for military members.

Get your free quote today to get the move started.