New Technology Hacks to Help with PCS Moves

We live in a world with technology at our fingertips. Not only is it constantly accessible, but it’s rapidly changing. How can military families take advantage of technology to make their relocations easier and more efficient?

Family spoke to Manca Pavlu, an Air Force spouse and a realtor with REMAX Elevate. If anyone knows about moving, she sure does! Manca is married to Staff Sergeant (E5) Matthew Pavlu, and they are currently stationed at Kirtland Air Force Base with their two children, Alice (8) and Alex (6).

How many times have you PCS’d?

In the past ten years, we have PCS’d a total of four times.

In what ways have you found that new technologies can be helpful with PCS moves?

I have used new technologies for projecting budgets, starting to research neighborhoods, building new friendships, and gathering information about areas and suggestions for professionals.

As we stayed overseas for five years, the budget is different, as well as the entitlements. Using tech to research the entitlements we'll have at the next base, as well as the BAH, allowed me to project budgets accurately—including what families spend on average on food.

My Go-To Tech Tools:

• Facebook Groups: These are always a good start to search for individual experiences; however, I have learned that there is generally more negativity in those channels than positivity. I use Facebook groups in conjunction with other applications.
• Google Translate: When we lived in Japan, this was used a lot to help with translation, especially with meals and instructions.
• The Peanut App: This app helps moms meet other moms in the area.
• Video Chat: I like being able to video chat with others. This helps us all keep in touch with friends and family at the previous base so they can still see the kids grow and cheer them on during their performances.
• ChatGPT & USAF Connect: These are both great resources for information gathering.

In what ways do you see yourself using them more in the future?

I really enjoy the assistance with projecting budgets, as it helps our family stay on track. I will always use apps to start making new connections at the base, and video chats to keep in touch with friends in different parts of the world.

Manca’s Advice for Tech-Savvy Moves

Overall, I think that new technologies are beneficial for PCSing if we teach the military population how to use them.

ChatGPT has so many different possibilities, and not everyone uses it the same way. If we can collect "PCS prompts" (specific questions to ask AI about moving), it might be beneficial for the PCSing population.

However, we don't want to lose the personal connection. If you have friends that you trust, have them put you in contact with someone from the base you are going to. Technology is a tool, but personal connection is key.