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Move Management

The Ultimate PCS Checklist & Guide for Military Families

A military move is a massive logistical operation. This toolkit is your new command center.

From the moment you have orders in hand, our interactive checklists, budget worksheets, and timelines will guide you through every critical step. Learn how to organize your household goods, manage travel claims, and navigate the TLE/DLA reimbursement process. Research your new base and explore career opportunities in your new location.

Welcome to Your PCS Command Center

This is an interactive tool designed to guide you through your PCS journey. As you fill out the planners in Phase 1, your personal action plan at the bottom will update automatically. Take your time exploring each section—this tool is built to work with you, not just for you.

PCS Intelligence Briefing: The Post-GHC Reality Critical Update

As of June 2025, the Global Household Goods Contract (GHC) was terminated. All military moves are now processed through the legacy Defense Personal Property System (DPS). This sudden change has caused significant confusion across the military community, with families facing delays, miscommunication, and processing issues.

This toolkit has been updated to reflect the current reality and guide you through the DPS process. We're committed to providing you with the most accurate, up-to-date information to navigate your PCS successfully despite these systemic challenges.

A Resource Proudly Presented By

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Empowering Military Families

FamilyMedia.com is committed to providing best-in-class resources for the military community. This hub is a free tool designed to empower military families in their PCS journey.

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PHASE ONE

Pre-Move Prep (3-6 Months Out)

The work you do now pays off later. Lay the foundation for a smooth move by tackling these key tasks early.

Interactive PCS Timeline Generator

Enter your Report No Later Than Date to generate a personalized timeline with key deadlines and action windows.

Detailed Task Checklist

Check off tasks as you complete them. Your progress is saved automatically.

Financial Command Center

Action Required

Comprehensive financial planning for your PCS move with PPM profit estimation and real-time expense tracking.

Estimated Income

Estimated Expenses

Net Estimate:

$0.00

This is an estimate for planning purposes only.

Researching Your Next Duty Station?

Explore our in-depth guides to over 25 bases, complete with info on housing, schools, and pro-tips from families who've been there.

A preview of the FamilyMedia.com Interactive Base Guide Hub Launch the Interactive Base Guide Hub
MENTAL & EMOTIONAL READINESS

Mental & Emotional Readiness

A PCS is more than a logistical challenge—it's a major life event. Use these resources to support your family's well-being through the transition.

Navigating the "Ugly Cry" Moment

Let's be real: at some point, you'll have an 'ugly cry' moment. It's not a sign of failure; it's a normal reaction to the stress of uprooting your life. Acknowledge the feelings of grief for the community you're leaving and the anxiety about the one you're joining. Prioritize self-care, even if it's just a 10-minute walk, and remember to give yourself grace. You don't have to be a superhero.

💡 Professional Support Available

Connect with Military OneSource Counselor

24/7 confidential, no-cost support specializing in military life challenges

Specialized Support for EFMP Families

A PCS for a family enrolled in the Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) involves another layer of complexity, from coordinating medical care to ensuring educational needs are met. Your first and most critical step is to connect with your installation's EFMP Family Support Coordinator. They are your dedicated advocate in this process.

🎯 Find Your Local Support

Military OneSource EFMP Resources

Official EFMP process information and coordinator locator

A Parent's Guide to a Healthy Goodbye

Children often experience a PCS as a significant loss. Help them process this by creating a sense of closure. Create a 'goodbye book' with photos and notes from their friends, host a small 'see you later' party, and allow them to be sad. Validating their feelings is the most powerful support you can provide.

📚 Age-Specific Resources

Military Child Education Coalition

Free toolkits and resources for helping children through military moves

Additional Mental Health Resources

Remember: seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness. These resources are available to support you and your family.

Crisis Support

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

Call 988

Family Support

Military Family Life Counselors

Learn More

Peer Support

Military Spouse Groups

Find Groups

Self-Care Tools

Stress Management Apps

Explore Apps
PHASE TWO

The Move (The Main Event)

It's go-time. Focus on execution, from managing the movers to keeping essential documents at your fingertips.

Logistics & In-Transit Hub

Comprehensive resources for the chaotic moving days. Choose your move type for specialized guidance.

Packing Day Essentials

  • Be present and proactive during packing. Label special items and watch the inventory sheet.
  • The packers create an inventory list ("Bingo Sheet"). Scrutinize the condition codes (e.g., SC for scratched, PBO for packed by owner) and challenge any you disagree with before signing.
  • Separate items you don't want packed into a "DO NOT PACK" room.
  • Take photos of high-value items before packing begins.

Claims Guardian

Document everything to simplify damage claims later. Take photos of high-value items before packing and keep copies of the inventory sheet.

Moving Day Survival & Document Hub

Tips for managing kids and pets, plus a list of every critical document to hand-carry.

Hand-Carry Document Checklist:

  • Official orders (at least 10 copies)
  • Passports, birth certificates, SS cards
  • Marriage certificates, vehicle titles
  • School and medical records
  • Pet health and vaccination records
  • Copies of wills and powers of attorney

"First Day" Box Essentials:

  • Toilet paper & paper towels
  • Basic cleaning supplies & trash bags
  • Box cutter and basic tools
  • Phone chargers & portable speaker
  • Towels and soap
  • Paper plates, cups, and utensils
  • Snacks, water bottles, and instant coffee

On-the-Road Toolkit

Mobile-first resources for use during your actual drive. Perfect for keeping on your phone.

From the Trenches: The "First Day" Box

Real advice from experienced military spouses who've been there, done that.

Every seasoned military spouse will tell you: pack one clearly marked "FIRST DAY" box that you personally carry and open the moment you arrive. This isn't about essentials—it's about sanity.

Immediate Survival Kit

  • Toilet paper, paper towels, all-purpose cleaner
  • A good box cutter and basic tools (screwdriver, hammer)
  • Phone chargers and a portable speaker
  • Instant coffee and shelf-stable milk—your coffee maker is buried deep
  • Paper plates, plastic utensils, and napkins

Comfort & Morale

  • Kids' favorite snacks and a beloved stuffed animal
  • Shower curtain and basic toiletries
  • One set of sheets and pillows for each family member
  • Pet food and toys (they're stressed too!)
  • Pizza money—you're not cooking tonight
PHASE THREE

Settling In (First 30 Days)

You've arrived. Now it's time to turn a new house into a home and connect with your new community.

Claims Tracker

Action Required

Log damaged items from your move and track claim status with moving companies.

Critical: 180-Day Deadline DPS System

Important: You have 180 days from delivery to report loss or damage in the Defense Personal Property System (DPS). This is the crucial first step. Filing your final, detailed claim comes after. Use this tracker to stay organized for your official submission.

Add New Claim

Your Claims

Community Connector

Make your new base feel like home with these community integration resources.

Base Resources

Base Guide - Commissary, Exchange, MWR locations

Support Services

Social Connections

EFMP Navigator

Specialized resources for families in the Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP).

EFMP Resources

New Base Quick-Start

Hit the ground running with these essential first steps.

Set up utilities: Learn the process for your new area. → Register vehicles: State laws and base requirements. → Find schools & childcare: Contact the School Liaison Officer. →
Transfer TRICARE: A step-by-step guide for a smooth transition. → Update DEERS: Ensure your benefits are uninterrupted. → Find new providers: Tips for locating doctors and specialists. →

From the Trenches: The "Ugly Cry" & The First Week

Honest talk from military spouses about the emotional reality of PCS moves.

Let's be real: you're going to have an "ugly cry" moment during your first week. Maybe it's when you can't find the coffee filters, or when your kid asks for the fifth time when they can go "home." This is completely normal, and you're not failing—you're human.

Give Yourself Grace

  • It's okay to live out of boxes for a week (or two)
  • Cereal for dinner is a valid meal choice
  • Your kids will survive watching more screen time than usual
  • Don't try to be a superhero; order pizza and let the kids watch movies
  • Crying in the car after a frustrating day is completely normal

Find Your Anchor

  • Find one local spot (a park or coffee shop) that feels normal
  • Establish one routine immediately—even if it's just morning coffee
  • Connect with one neighbor, even if it's just a wave and hello
  • Take a photo of something beautiful in your new area every day
  • Remember: feeling homesick for your last duty station is proof you made it home there too

"Home" isn't a place—it's wherever your family is together. You'll get there.

YOUR PLAN

Personal Deployment Action Plan

Your personalized action plan builds automatically as you complete the interactive sections above. Watch it come to life!

Financial Plan

Complete the Financial Command Center above to see your budget summary here.

Claims Status

Add claims in the Claims Tracker above to see your progress here.

Checklist Progress

Complete checklist items to track your overall progress here.

Print your complete action plan for offline reference

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A Proud Supporter of Military Families

What you're made of, we're made for.®

For over 100 years, USAA has been committed to serving the financial needs of the military community. From insurance to investments, we proudly support military families on their path to financial security.

Explore USAA
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

PCS Move Questions, Answered 📦

Get expert guidance on PCS moves, planning, and military relocation from start to finish.

Getting Started

I just got my orders. What are the first three things I should do?

  1. Use the Timeline Generator: Enter your "Report No Later Than Date" into our PCS Toolkit to create a customized, week-by-week checklist.
  2. Start Your PCS Binder: Get a 3-ring binder and immediately put in a copy of your orders. This will become the central hub for all your move-related documents.
  3. Visit Your Transportation Office (TMO): This is where you will officially schedule your household goods shipment. The sooner you go, the more likely you are to get your desired pack-out dates, especially during the busy summer PCS season.

What is a "PCS Binder" and what should I keep in it?

A PCS Binder is your organizational lifeline. It's a 3-ring binder where you keep every important document for your move. Essential items include:

  • Multiple copies of your orders
  • Passports, birth certificates, and social security cards
  • Marriage certificates
  • Vehicle titles and registration
  • School and medical records for the whole family
  • Pet health and vaccination records
  • Contact information for your new command and sponsor

When should I book household goods pickup?

Book as early as possible through your transportation office to secure dates during peak season. Your weight allowance and entitlements are based on rank and orders.

Move Types & Options

What's the difference between a government move and a PPM (DITY) move?

A government move is when the military hires and manages a moving company to pack and transport your belongings. This is the most hands-off option.

A Personally Procured Move (PPM), formerly called a Do-It-Yourself (DITY) move, is when you move your own belongings. The government will pay you 100% of what it would have cost them to move you. If you can do it for less, you can potentially make a profit.

How much is PPM reimbursement right now?

For a personally procured move, DoD temporarily raised reimbursement to 130 percent of the baseline rate in 2025. Check current status with your transportation office before you commit.

What documents do I need for a PPM claim?

Expect to submit travel orders, DD 2278, certified empty and full weight tickets, a travel voucher (DD 1351-2), and receipts. Your installation transportation office will validate allowances.

Financial Entitlements

What are DLA and TLE?

These are two key financial entitlements for your move.

DLA (Dislocation Allowance) is a one-time payment intended to help offset the costs of setting up a new household, like utility deposits.

TLE (Temporary Lodging Expense) provides reimbursement for temporary lodging and meal expenses for a limited number of days at your old or new CONUS (stateside) duty station.

What's the difference between TLE and TLA?

Temporary Lodging Expense reimburses some lodging and meals for CONUS PCS stays. Temporary Lodging Allowance is for OCONUS PCS lodging and incidental expenses. You can use only the one that fits your move.

What is Dislocation Allowance and when is it paid?

DLA partially reimburses relocation costs that aren't otherwise covered and may be advanced before your move. Rates vary by grade and dependency status.

What other upfront costs are reimbursable?

Depending on your orders, DLA, mileage, per diem, and certain pet expenses may reimburse or offset costs. Always confirm in the Joint Travel Regulations before spending.

Vehicles & Pets

Can I ship my car during a PCS?

For OCONUS orders, the government generally pays to ship one eligible POV per service member. Rules and exceptions depend on destination and orders.

Will the government ship a second POV?

A second vehicle is typically at personal expense even on OCONUS moves, though you can arrange commercial shipping.

Are pets covered during PCS?

Yes. DoD reimburses up to about $550 CONUS and up to about $2,000 for OCONUS pet transport or quarantine for one cat or dog, subject to JTR rules and documentation.

Do I get both TLE and TLA on the same move?

No. TLE applies to CONUS moves and TLA applies to OCONUS moves; they don't stack.

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