PCSing? What Should You Do?

Spring and Summer are very busy times for Soldiers and their Families since it is high PCS season. PCS: Permanent Change of Station or in one word: moving. Once your spouse gets an RFO: Request For Orders, it is time to start researching your next duty assignment. With today’s technology and social media, there are several ways to find information; i.e., www.militaryonesource.mil and www.militaryinstallations.dod.mil. Involving the children in the research will ease some of the stress of the unknown. It may even turn a PCS to a great adventure.

This is a perfect time to inventory the items you have and do some “spring cleaning,” hold a yard sale or donate items that have not been used or that you have outgrown.
If you rent, your landlord or the leasing company must be notified of your pending move. If you own your home, you must decide whether to rent or sell. If you decide to rent and use a real estate company, even more research will be needed. This is a good time to talk to your legal office and verify if any local companies are on the off limits list.

Depending on where you will be moving, you will need to decide if you are going to do a Personally Procured Move (DITY move) or set up the shipment of your Household Goods (HHG) on www.move.mil. If this is your first time on this website, I recommend you visit your Transportation office and ask for assistance from a transportation counselor.  The www.pcsmypov.com webpage has links to videos which will provide information on shipping or storing your vehicle when moving overseas.

The following programs are services that you should contact after receiving orders to move: ACS Information and Referral and Relocation Readiness Program, the Transportation Office, the Housing Office (on and off post), Temporary Lodging at your next duty station, and if you have children, the School Liaison Officer. All these services will be able to assist you with gathering the necessary information that you will need to make a more educated decision on where you will live and possibly what school you will enroll the children.

Visit your Relocation Readiness Program. They will have information on your next duty station, websites that can assist you before your move and classes to prepare you for your overseas move, as well. If you decide to ship your household goods, don’t forget to check out the Lending/Loan closet inventory. If this is your first move, make an appointment for Individual Relocation Counseling, or see page 17 for more information on ACS Relocation Readiness Workshops.


DID YOU KNOW?
Installation Locator is a computerized database that contains Army, Air Force, Navy, and Marine installations. It contains important information about relocating that every Soldier and spouse should know. This information can be printed as a booklet.  Also visit Installation Locator on-line at www.militaryonesource.mil.