Joining the military can unlock a whole world of new experiences, and one of the most unique and rewarding might be living abroad. With orders in hand, you might also be overwhelmed by the prospect of moving overseas. However, a move outside the continental United States, also known as an OCONUS move, is a fantastic opportunity to see the world.
To help you approach this move, we’ve created a guide that walks you through everything from preparation to unpacking.
Key Takeaways
- Prepare for your OCONUS move by talking to the transportation office and contacting your new command.
- Get important documentation together before your move to make the process easier.
- Know what allowances will help you adjust financially to living overseas.
- Get to know your new community by embracing the culture, food, and traditions.
What is OCONUS?
All military duty stations are categorized as CONUS or OCONUS . CONUS locations include everything within the continental United States and tend to be easier for a move. Military members and their families stationed at a CONUS location must follow all federal, state, and local laws.
OCONUS locations include all duty stations outside the continental United States. Many of these are in foreign countries, where military members and their families must follow local laws and regulations and any additional restrictions the military puts in place.
It’s important to note that both Alaska and Hawaii are OCONUS locations. So even though they are states, moving to either of these places is more extensive and requires more preparation than a typical move within the United States.
Pay for OCONUS Moves
Like other military moves, the military pays for the cost of an OCONUS move. To receive funding for your move, you’ll need official military orders written for you, so most steps, such as scheduling the movers and shipping a vehicle, can’t happen until this paperwork is complete.
When you get orders, you can request an advance of your dislocation allowance (DLA) . This payment helps cover miscellaneous relocation expenses associated with moving, such as transportation to the airport, incidental expenses, and household setup costs. During your travel, you are also authorized to get per diem to cover your travel day meals.
Once you arrive at an OCONUS duty station, you will receive a monthly cost of living allowance (COLA) based on the location to help keep general expenses, such as gas and groceries, more comparable with locations within the United States. Those stationed in Hawaii and Alaska also receive this allowance.
Moving
Moving can be expensive, but fortunately, additional allowances help cover these extra costs:
- DLA (Dislocation Allowance) – This payment covers the cost of setting up your new home.
- TLA (Temporary Lodging Allowance) – This allowance helps pay for temporary lodging , such as a hotel, when looking for or waiting for permanent housing.
- Per Diem – During your move, you are authorized a certain number of travel days and are reimbursed for those days’ meals and incidentals.
- MEA (Miscellaneous Expense Allowance) – You encounter a lot of miscellaneous expenses when you move to a new household, from utility deposits to trash can fees. MEA helps offset some of those costs.
Each service member is also authorized to ship one vehicle to an OCONUS duty station. Your household goods move includes this cost. You’ll need to get your vehicle to the designated drop-off site and pick it up on the other end.
If you’re moving with a furry friend , the military now covers some of the costs. According to the DoD, the service member could be reimbursed up to $2,000. Not all OCONUS duty stations allow pets, so discuss the regulations with the transportation office before booking a flight.
Living Expenses
Living overseas can be expensive, so it’s important to know what extra benefits are available when making your budget:
- OHA (Overseas Housing Allowance) – When you are stateside, you receive BAH (Basic Allowance for Housing). OCONUS duty stations get OHA instead. This allowance covers the majority of rent, utilities, and a move-in housing allowance.
- COLA (Cost of Living Allowance) – This allowance offsets the higher prices of groceries, gas, and other items often associated with overseas living. Your new zip code determines the amount.
OCONUS Move Checklist
As you gear up for an OCONUS move, you have to schedule your pack-out, obtain the required documentation for your family and pets, and establish yourself in your new community. Many specifics depend on where you are moving and how much lead time you have before the big day.
Start by talking to the transportation office to determine your destination’s requirements. Some locations need extra paperwork, including country clearances for family members or pet vaccination records.
Once you have your orders with your report date, start making preparations right away to set up a move date that works best for you.
Before Move
Here are a few things you can do to prepare for your OCONUS move:
- Get important documents together, including passports, vehicle registration and title, and school records.
- Research housing options at your new location.
- Reach out to a School Liaison Officer to find out what school options are available for kids.
- Get a sponsor from your new command.
- Find out what pet restrictions or requirements apply.
- Schedule your household goods (HHG) move.
During the Move
First up is packing day. Your moving company will call to let you know what days packers will be at home. The team will put everything in your house into boxes as quickly as they can. Being organized and proactive is essential to controlling the risk of important items being mistakenly packed.
Your crates are loading on the moving truck on your scheduled moving day.
Pay close attention to the movers’ inventory documentation. If something is wrong, call your transportation office.
Post Move
Once you arrive at your new overseas duty station, take some time to get acquainted with your new home and community. Take advantage of everything you can while there. Many OCONUS duty stations include once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to see the world, experience a different culture, and travel.
- Make a list – It can be easy to get caught up in the daily grind and wish you had done more during your time overseas. Make a list of the places and sites you want to see before moving back to the U.S.
- Learn the language – Getting around becomes much easier when you have a few basic phrases under your belt. It can also go a long way in helping build connections within your local community.
- Try new foods – A big part of experiencing a new culture is embracing their culinary traditions.
The Bottom Line
Moving overseas can be a lot to handle, but going into it with a sense of adventure (not to mention our helpful guides) is a great way to make the most of this milestone. Know what to expect before the move, during the process, and once you arrive at your new home. Don’t forget to have fun and embrace the experience.
Want guidance throughout your entire PCS move? Make sure to download our PCS Toolkit.
The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement.