You’ve received orders and the clock is ticking! AHRN.com has put the essential PCS tasks into an easy, free downloadable PCS checklist.
In the late winter, just as the weather starts to tease us with occasional warm ups, I start to get restless. I used to think it was just an eagerness for sunshine and warmer temperatures. In recent years, I’ve realized that I’ve been an Army wife long enough that a part of my brain is waiting for orders and wondering where we’ll move next. I guess 7 moves in 8 years will do that to you!
Whether you are eagerly awaiting order or were surprised at the news, I’m sure your to-do list is a mile long. It can be both overwhelming (with so much to do) and frustrating (with nothing to do *right now*) when you are 90 plus days out from your move. To give you a head start on an organized and well prepared move, AHRN.com has prepared a PCS Essentials Checklist just for you.
Year Round
While the Army focuses the bulk of the PCS season during the summer months, a PCS can happen at any time of the year and with very little notice (once my family had only 28 days!). An unexpected PCS is made that much easier with a few basic maintenance tasks. The most long term PCS checklist item is the budget! Military families that maintain a savings account have a cushion to help with the upfront and out-of-pocket PCS expenses. A home inventory can be started or updated at any time. By keeping up with those two items year round, you earn a little bit of time and breathing room when it comes to PCS time!
90 Days Out
Congratulations! You have orders! Now what? It’s not too early to start getting organized and prepared for your PCS. In fact, getting started early will make some things much easier for the next 3 months!
At this point, you are largely focusing on gathering information and organizing it. If you own a home and plan to sell or rent, the more time you can have your home on the market before you leave the better. Remember to share what you learn with your spouse (if you have one) as you gather information about out processing and your PCS timeline.
60 Days Out
We are down to weeks until your move and it’s time to start making decisions. On AHRN.com, you can look at the average rent costs for homes fitting your need, search based on distance or BAH and check out pet policies. By building a search profile based on your families’ priorities, AHRN.com does the heavy lifting for you!
Take care of any checklist items that don’t need to be last minute: update pet vaccinations, schedule necessary auto maintenance, and de-clutter your home!
30 Days Out
You are in the home stretch! It’s starting to get busy so it is extra important to stay organized. Finance briefings, confirming transportation, and closing accounts are priorities during the last 30 days at your losing installation. Remember to make reservations at any temporary lodging as early as possible – searching for a place to stay at the last minute is stressful! If you are waiting until you arrive at your new duty station to find a home, narrow down your short list of possibilities and contact the property manager or owner to schedule a time for a walk through after your arrival. While hotel living has its perks, it is always a relief to arrive “home” after a PCS.
Ready To Get Organized?
Everyone has their own preferred way to stay organized during a PCS. In my family, we use a binder with plenty of page protectors to hold documents we are given and a pencil case to hold receipts. At the front of that binder, we keep our To Do list!
AHRN.com is making your PCS just a little bit easier by offering this printable PCS Checklist to start your PCS organization.
Looking for more PCS information? Check out:
Looking for more PCS resources? AHRN.com’s PCS Toolkit has the information you need for a smooth, organized PCS!
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