The Ultimate PCS Checklist: A Guide for Service Members Moving Bases

Moving is a big part of military life. Around 30% of service members and their families move to a new duty station each year. To prepare for a permanent change of station (PCS), keeping things organized is key. It can be the difference between arriving with your cherished memories and keepsakes intact or losing boxes of shipments somewhere along the way with no records for reimbursement.

The timeline of a PCS guides the process, and you must meet some specific deadlines to keep your move going smoothly. A checklist is a handy tool to keep you on track, and we’ve put together a comprehensive checklist to help you prepare. From those new to military life to seasoned vets who have gone through numerous moves, this checklist is a one-stop guide to your move in to a new home.

There is no set interval in the military when you should expect to move, but most service members move every 2 to 4 years. Of course, it depends on the needs of the military, available positions, and your individual career progression. But knowing a move is on the horizon can help you prepare for and anticipate the timeline.

You can officially begin preparing for your move once you have military orders, an official document detailing when and where you report for duty next. After that, you can start making arrangements for moving day and beyond:

• Preparation (1 month before move)
• Final preparations (1-2 weeks before move)
• Moving day
• After your move

In most cases, you can expect to get military orders around 120 days before your official report date to your new command. You might get “verbal orders,” which are unofficial but allow you to start researching your new home to find out where you want to live and where to enroll kids for school.

• Create your all-important PCS binder to keep track of important information.
• Let your family know about the upcoming move, which could be exciting if you move somewhere like Hawaii, where they can visit.
• Make plans for your current housing, either ending your lease or selling your home.
• Use a housing site to learn more about available places for rent or sale in your new community. However, don’t make any final plans until you receive that official orders document.

Of course, the 120-day timeline doesn’t always happen, especially if you receive short-notice orders to move right away. In that case, you can ask about getting expedited processing at the transportation office to arrange your household goods move. You might be required to obtain additional security clearances or travel documents, depending on your new duty station and position. It’s essential to stay in constant communication with your new command, the transportation office, and any other required offices to process your move.

Be aware that you can’t request any sort of expenses until you have your official orders on file. Orders include a designated line of funding in the lengthy text and are required to fund the move. You can also decide what type of move you want to complete, whether a complete household goods (HHG) move arranged by the transportation office or a personally procured move (PPM) where you do it yourself and get reimbursed.

If you need to break your lease due to a military move, you are authorized to do so under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, SCRA, but you’ll need to provide a copy of your official orders.

As your move date gets closer, you can start preparing things for packing.

• Know how much weight you are allowed to move, which varies based on your rank and number of dependents.
• Separate out your professional gear, including uniforms, professional reading, and other equipment, since it is not included in your household goods weight allowance.
• If you want or need an advance on your dislocation allowance, request it through the finance office. Your current command can help you complete the required paperwork, although they will not process the request.
• Book your flight to your new duty station using your government travel card if you have one. The transportation can help make these arrangements and will often do it for you, sending you the booking information.

If you are doing a full HHG move, you’ll schedule your pack-out day with the transportation office. For a PPM or DITY move that you arrange yourself, you can schedule that around one month in advance, but make sure to ask about the rescheduling policy, just in case.

Before packing, inventory your household goods. Take photos and add them to your PCS binder or electronic folder. A brief video of each room is also a great idea. Make sure to record serial numbers for electronic items on a handy home inventory list.

Make arrangements to take high-value or sentimental items with you rather than packing them up. Some items, like washers and dryers, require additional packing materials, so inform your moving company about that around this time.

In the two weeks before your official move date, it is helpful to get your home ready. Take care of any maintenance items and give your home a general cleaning. Remove pictures from the walls and touch up paint. If you are moving outdoor furniture or grills, ensure they are thoroughly cleaned and ready for the move. You’ll also need to ensure they are free of gas, oil, and other hazardous materials. The same goes for fridges and freezers, which must be defrosted at least a full day before loading day.

If you are doing a full HHG move, you won’t need to pack any items yourself since the moving company will unpack and repack them on loading day. However, it is helpful to locate shipping boxes for large items like TVs since they are often purchased with materials custom-fitted to them. If you don’t have them, the movers can use a generic box and pack them securely.

You’ll complete a pre-inventory a few days before your actual move. This helps the movers know how many people to bring and how long they can expect it to take.

Designate one room for items you don’t want the movers to pack. Once they arrive, keeping track of what goes in each box can be challenging. Tape off the room with removable painter’s tape so the movers know what area to skip.

Empty trash and recycling the day before the move and get rid of any other garbage or debris. Some movers ask clarifying questions as they pack, but others simply box everything up and let you sort it out later. If you don’t want them to pack it, get rid of it or put it in the “do not pack” room.

It’s finally moving day, and the excitement is high! If you’re doing an HHG move, you don’t have to do much actual packing, but there are still important steps to take. When the movers arrive, show them all your home’s rooms, including the designated “do not pack” area. Give them instructions regarding parking, a loading path, any pets to watch for, and items that require special packing. In most cases, this is repeat information from the walkthrough, but it is always a good idea to make it abundantly clear and answer questions that arise.

As items go into boxes, verify that they are recorded on the official inventory sheet and in the right condition. Make sure that boxes are labeled with their contents or room, which can greatly help unpacking once you arrive at your new home. Movers disassemble some pieces of furniture, such as large tables. Ensure all hardware is labeled and goes in a designated box, which the movers will use in your new home to reassemble furniture.

Once everything is loaded on the truck, walk through your now-empty home to ensure nothing is left behind. If you’ve scheduled a professional cleaning, let them in and then turn in your keys to your landlord or new owner. You can also shut off utilities or transfer them from your name once you have departed.

Getting to your new duty station is a monumental feat. As you get settled, there are a few important things to set up:

• Update your address with your command
• Update your address with banks, subscriptions, and other accounts
• Update your TRICARE region
• Find a new primary care manager
• Set up utilities
• Enroll children in school
• Get a new driver’s license, if required
• Update car registration

When you arrive at your new home, your household goods may or may not be there already. You can usually schedule a delivery 1 or 2 days after you arrive. Check to see if anything is broken and file a claim with the transportation office if needed. If you did a PPM yourself, submit all required paperwork and documentation for reimbursement.

You usually have around 75 days to file claims for damaged or missing items related to your move. You must also complete a survey and turn in your travel claim paperwork to get additional allowances.

Keeping organized and on track during a PCS move is important to make the whole process much smoother and more enjoyable. When you set up a PCS binder, know key dates, and have a process for packing, moving, and unpacking, you can enjoy the experience and embrace your new home with a sense of adventure. To dive deeper into the essentials of a successful PCS move, download our PCS Toolkit. It provides detailed information on checklist items and timing to help you stay prepared every step of the way