Preparing for the Upcoming PCS Season

It may be a new year and winter in many places, but for military families, it’s never too early to plan for the summer, which brings the peak of PCS season. For many families, this is a familiar journey. For others, they are navigating unfamiliar waters for the first time. Any move can be complex with emotional and logistical adjustments; however, PCS moves can be especially difficult because of navigating all the military requirements, too. Family spoke with Marine Corps spouse Kaitlyn Blount about her experiences with relocating and to get her sage advice for military families relocating this summer. Kaitlyn is married to Captain Kenneth Blount, and they have one child, Jayden. They are currently stationed at Indian Head, Maryland.

What are some things you learned from previous PCS moves?
Things can change! For our most recent PCS, my husband called me on a Wednesday,saying we were going to North Carolina in 3 weeks. He called me that Friday and said we were going to Maryland and had four months to prepare! After six years as a military spouse and six years serving myself, I have learned that the only thing you can expect is the unexpected. You just have to learn how to roll with the punches.

What do you do in January to prepare for a summer PCS?
The first thing I do when we hear we could be going somewhere new is to get on the CDC waitlist and some CCA options out in town just to be safe. Daycare lists can sometimes be 1-2 years long, depending on how old your child is.
Decide if you will rent, buy, or live on base. Each duty station comes with a unique local economy, which means sometimes it’ll be better to rent, and sometimes it’ll be better to buy. But the sooner you decide what you’re doing, the better!
Join the local spouse groups and ask, “What do you guys love about this duty station?”. Especially if you were disappointed by orders, it’s easy to think about the negatives, but this can help you get into a positive mindset and set the tone for your time there. Even if it’s your least favorite duty station, you can always find something you like!
I try not to get too attached to the new duty station because a lot can change between January and a summer PCS.
I always say, “Prepare for the worst and hope for the best.” I had a more seasoned spouse tell me this when we first started, and it has helped me through 4 PCSes. Always have a plan B, C, D, E, and maybe F.
The other thing I always do is “give myself a day.” If I’m extremely upset with the orders, I give myself a day to cry, kick, scream, and be mad at the Marine Corps. But then I get over it. It doesn’t help to stew and be upset for weeks or months; the sooner you accept your new life, the sooner you can enjoy it. I firmly believe that a military spouse sets the tone for the whole family. They are most likely the default parent, and it can make a huge difference to a child’s experience when they see the adults acting excited and happy. But your feelings are valid, so give yourself the day!