Moving is part of military life, but many service members may want or need to request certain locations, positions, or milestones for their careers. So, is there an option for military members to request PCS orders?
The short answer is no, but certain circumstances allow military members to make special requests or have more say over where they move. Ultimately, it comes down to the needs of the service, but options may be available for those looking to make the PCS moving process work for them and their families.
Can You Request Your PCS Orders?
You can’t request where you go when you PCS, but in most cases, you can put preferences through an official process or just by communicating via email or phone.
When you arrive at a new duty station, you’ll have official military orders for a specific time. As the end of your tour of duty in that position nears, start talking to the people responsible for assigning you a new duty about where you would like to go. If you keep communication open and are clear with your preferences, they might just tap you for your dream job if it’s available. Keep in mind that this is not a binding agreement and that your orders will change based on what the military needs.
It can also be helpful to prepare for your specific PCS timeline. Talk to your current command and new command about what time makes the most sense professionally. It is more common to PCS in the summer months, so securing a pack-out date with a moving company may be more difficult during this season. However, communicating in advance might give you more options and more say in the entire process.
Can You Change Your PCS Orders?
If you already have PCS orders, getting them altered or canceled is much harder. To do so, you must make a strong case for its necessity since your move has already been funded and other plans may have been made. If you can no longer fulfill your orders, the military will need to send someone else, requiring additional expense and training.
If you want to change your orders, talk to your commanding officer about options. The switch will likely need to be approved at a high level.
In some cases, you can perform a military swap. This is where you swap orders with someone of the same rank, specialty, and skill set. This also needs to be approved, and you’ll likely need to pay for the move yourself. As long as the military does not incur any additional expense and can still accomplish the mission, you have a much better chance of getting this PCS swap approved. Still, there are many requirements, including the two PCS moves being comparable (CONUS and CONUS, similar overall costs and requirements, etc).
Can Your PCS Orders Get Cancelled?
Once your official PCS orders are written, it’s unlikely that they will be canceled, although it does happen. The process for canceling orders depends on your point in the process.
Once the orders are authorized, the assigning officer, usually in your military branch’s personnel office, can change or cancel them. This can happen all the way up to your actual move, which is the most likely time for an orders change or cancelation.
Once you are en route to your new command, the personnel office can cancel the orders, but this rarely happens. It requires a high level of approval since you may have already completed training or packed up your household goods. After you have arrived and finished executing your PCS, the personnel office could possibly cancel the orders, but it’s unlikely.
Being Prepared for Your PCS Orders
If you’re in the military, there’s a good chance you’ll have to move at some point, so being ready for a PCS is the best way to make sure it works out well. From knowing about expense reimbursements through a dislocation allowance to having a helpful PCS checklist, you can make the process much smoother.
While you may not always have a say in where or when you PCS, you can customize the actual move to work best for you.
CONUS vs OCONUS
When you get ready for your move, it’s essential to understand where you’re moving since it can greatly impact how you get there and what life is like once you arrive.
All moves within the continental United States are called CONUS, while moves outside the continental United States are called OCONUS.
CONUS PCS moves offer more flexibility regarding transportation and tend to have similar requirements for pets, household goods, vehicles, and more. OCONUS PCS moves vary and are based on the local regulations and laws of the host country. However, because there tend to be more expenses incurred while living in OCONUS, military members are entitled to a cost-of-living allowance (COLA).
Learn More: CONUS vs. OCONUS PCS moves.
Moving After PCS Orders
Your PCS orders list a date when you need to report to your new command as well as what you are entitled to regarding your move, but the actual move date for your household can be a bit flexible.
Some military members choose to arrive at their new command, find housing, and then move their families later. You may also choose to delay your household move to let children finish the school year, another reason why the summer months are more popular for PCS moves.
You are allowed to physically move your home after your PCS orders are complete, but you should talk to your transportation office about the scheduling requirements.
What Are Your PCS Entitlements?
Your specific entitlements are listed on your PCS orders, and knowing what to expect financially during your move can be helpful.
In most cases, military members can receive a dislocation allowance (DLA), which covers moving expenses, such as security deposits, temporary lodging, and other move-related costs.
You can also get reimbursed for moving expenses if you opt for a Do it Yourself, or DITY move. This is sometimes referenced as a personally procured move (PPM). If you choose a household goods (HHG) move instead, you won’t get reimbursed, but the military covers professional packers, movers, and shipping. You can do a hybrid of the two and choose a partial DITY move.
While moving, you are also entitled to per diem pay that covers the costs of food and incidentals during your travels. It’s based on the expected number of travel days, which can be helpful for long cross-country moves.
Once you arrive at your new duty station, you can expect a change in your basic allowance for housing (BAH), which covers the cost of housing and utilities in your community. This entitlement is based on your zip code, pay grade, and the number of dependents claimed in your official military record.
The Bottom Line
Even though you may not be able to change your PCS orders once they are issued, knowing what to expect during the move and how to make the process work for you and your family can make the entire experience much easier.
Interested in more PCS tips? Download the AHRN PCS Toolkit for more information.