Your Complete Guide to a PCS DITY Move: Understanding, Preparing, and Executing a Successful PPM

• A PPM and a DITY move both refer to military moves in which the service member makes all moving arrangements.
• The military can reimburse moving expenses, but you must submit receipts to the travel office.
• The DD2278 form is required to be approved for a PPM or DITY move.
• PPMs (formerly DITY moves) are most common for CONUS moves, but may be authorized in certain OCONUS situations depending on orders and logistics.

Moving frequently is part of military life. Many service members relocate multiple times across the country or overseas during their careers through permanent change of station (PCS) orders. Many members of all branches of the military move across the country and even across the globe at least once during their time in service, with many completing multiple permanent change of station (PCS) moves.

If you are preparing for a PCS to a new duty station, it’s essential to understand the different types of military moves and when to handle them yourself. Commonly known as a Do It Yourself (DITY) move, but officially named a personally procured move (PPM), moving things yourself gives you the most control over your items and the timeline of your move.

A DITY move and a PPM are the same, although the military officially uses the term PPM to refer to a move where the military member arranges and executes the move. After completing your move, you submit documentation to receive reimbursement for eligible moving expenses, such as packing supplies, truck rental, shipping fees, and fuel.

A PPM differs from a household goods move (HHG), which is scheduled and contracted through a government-contracted moving company. In an HHG move, you coordinate with the travel office, but they handle finding the movers, signing the contract, and making payments.

You can combine both types of moves to do a partial DITY move, allowing you to move a portion of your household items yourself and the rest via a contracted moving company.

Anyone in the military with authorized moving expenses as part of their PCS orders is eligible for a DITY move. The exception is when you are moving outside the continental United States (OCONUS). Most OCONUS moves are handled through military-arranged HHG shipments due to logistics and customs requirements, although limited PPM options may be authorized depending on the situation. It’s important to note that Hawaii and Alaska are considered OCONUS moves.

A DITY move or PPM move is best if you can easily arrange the transport of your household items. You should consider how much you need to move, the logistics of renting and packing a moving truck, and if you want to drive the truck yourself.

If you decide to try a DITY move, you can take steps to make the entire operation much smoother.

Before making any arrangements, complete the DD2278 form, your official request for a PPM. The travel office requires this form to ensure you are entitled to reimbursement and understand what is and isn’t covered under your PCS orders and move. In some cases, you can request an advance of your reimbursement to help cover some upfront moving costs. If given an advance, make sure to keep all the receipts to submit to receive the remainder of your reimbursement after the move.

When preparing for a move, start by researching your new home base and city. Will you live in military housing or out in town? Are you interested in renting or buying? Is this a place where you could do multiple military tours, or will you be moving again in a few years? You have a lot to consider when finding the right home in a new city. If you move with dependents, consider the job market, schools, and access to activities and extracurriculars.

If you plan to move firearms or other controlled items, check local regulations for required permits, licenses, or registration. These requirements can vary from state to state, so do your research and take the proper steps before moving to a new state.

Once your PPM is approved, create a to-do checklist leading up to the move, including reserving a moving truck, packing your belongings, and mapping out your route. Depending on your comfort level, you might even want to hire professional packers or movers to help with loading and unloading on the day. Many of these steps require reservations and perhaps a deposit. Keep all your receipts, as you’ll need them for reimbursement when you submit your final paperwork.

Moving day calls for plenty to take care of and keep track of, so a plan goes a long way. Make a checklist of precisely what you need to do, from picking up the truck to pulling into the driveway of your new home.

Conducting a home inventory and taking pictures before and after your move can help keep track of your items’ condition. In a PPM, movers are not necessarily responsible for broken or damaged goods, unlike in an HHG move. However, if you contracted professional movers to help pack items or load the truck, they might have specific clauses in that contract to help you deal with damaged items. If so, you’ll coordinate directly with the movers rather than with the travel office.

To receive reimbursement for your moving expenses, you must submit a copy of your military orders showing your move entitlement and a copy of your completed DD2278. You’ll also need weight tickets for your household items that show the empty weight at your initial location and the full weight of your shipment. If you use a moving truck, you can get this at a weigh station before and after loading up. If you contracted a moving company, ask them for these weight tickets before moving day so they know to provide them.

You should also submit receipts for moving-related expenses, such as gas used to drive the truck, packing materials, and tolls. You will submit all required documentation through the travel office. The administrative department at your command can often help point you in the right direction of required forms and contacts.

If you received an advance on your reimbursement, you’ll need to provide the receipt and any supporting paperwork showing the advance.

You need to know the weight allowance used to calculate your reimbursement. The exact amount depends on your rank and whether you are accompanied by dependents or unaccompanied. Your professional books, uniforms, and materials are considered separately from the rest of your household goods, so put them in their own clearly labeled shipping boxes.

If you exceed your authorized weight allowance, you may be responsible for the excess cost.

If you move a short distance and can physically handle the demands of packing up your entire house and driving a moving truck, a DITY move might be the best option. You’ll have more control over the move, have access to your household items faster, and may be able to retain some of the reimbursement if your costs are lower than the amount the military would have paid for your move.

If you want someone else to take responsibility for the actual work of moving so you can focus your attention elsewhere, stick with a military-arranged HHG move instead. Although you may need to wait a bit longer for your household items, you will need less coordination on the day of moving, which can be less strenuous.

In some cases, such as OCONUS moves, you cannot do a DITY move. If you are preparing to move overseas, expect to arrange an HHG move and have professionals handle the logistics.

Deciding between a DITY move/PPM and a traditional HHG move requires careful planning and consideration. Work with your travel office to determine which best fits your move to your new duty station.

Once you know where you’re headed, start searching for your next home on AHRN to browse military-friendly rentals and homes for sale near your new installation. For a more personalized guide to your upcoming move, check out AHRN’s PCS Toolkit to stay organized every step of the way.