The Complete Military Moving Guide
Quick answer: Military Permanent Change of Station (PCS) moves can be exciting but also daunting. With frequent relocations being a reality for many service members, a structured approach can streamline the process and make it less stressful.
At moveBuddha, we’ve helped thousands of military families navigate PCS moves, and we know exactly where the headaches (and hidden savings) tend to pop up.
Want a clear look at your costs? Use our moving cost calculator to estimate expenses and start planning your PCS move with confidence.
What is a PCS move?
A Permanent Change of Station (PCS) is an official relocation order that requires service members and their families to move to a new station of duty that isn’t temporary.
PCS moves come with strict timelines, required documentation, and unique challenges. Whether you’re moving within the continental U.S. (CONUS) or overseas (OCONUS), understanding PCS basics is key to staying on track and on budget.
Set a timeline
PCS moves are deadline-driven. Most military families start prepping as soon as orders drop, then work backward.
Here’s a simple timeline you can follow and adjust based on how much notice you have:
- When orders drop: Register your move on Military OneSource and save every confirmation number, email, and point of contact in one place. The earlier you’re in the system, the easier it is to lock in dates and reduce surprises.
- 3 months out: Start a moving binder (digital or physical), sketch a realistic travel budget, and research moving companies if you’re considering a PPM. This is also a good time to list any items you’ll want to keep with you (documents, medications, valuables).
- 2 months out: Begin decluttering in high-impact areas first (garage, closets, storage). Request school and medical records, and notify housing offices so you’re not fighting for appointments later.
- 1 month out: Confirm travel plans and lodging, check in with your Transportation Office on shipment details, and make sure your paperwork is correct before moving day. Small errors can lead to big delays when timelines are tight.
Build a PCS binder and moving budget
PCS moves run more smoothly when you can find information fast. A binder keeps your documents and receipts straight so they aren’t scattered across emails, glove compartments, and screenshots on your phone, especially when you’re tired and traveling.
- Moving binder: Keep your orders, contact list, shipment paperwork, lodging confirmations, and a running list of receipts in one place. If you go digital, create a single folder and name files clearly (example: “Hotel – 03-14 – Fayetteville”).
- PCS fund: Even when a lot of the move is covered, out-of-pocket costs add up quickly. Many families set aside $1,000–$2,000 to cover things like gas, food, pet boarding, last-minute supplies, and short-term lodging, then adjust up or down based on distance, family size, and whether you’re driving or flying.
Choose the type of move you want
PCS moves aren’t one-size-fits-all. The right option depends on your timeline, how hands-on you want to be, and whether you’re willing to trade convenience for potential savings.
- A Household Goods Move (HHG) is the most hands-off option. The government coordinates packing, pickup, and delivery through approved movers, which can save you a lot of time and physical work, especially during a busy PCS window.
- A Do It Yourself Move (also called a PPM) gives you more control and can pay off financially if you’re organized. You’re responsible for coordinating the move, tracking required documentation, and keeping receipts so you can file everything correctly.
- A Partial PPM is a hybrid approach. Many families choose this option to move valuables, essentials, or time-sensitive items themselves while letting the government shipment handle the bulk of household goods.
If you choose a PPM, you don’t necessarily have to do every step alone. If you’re thinking about hiring help, especially for a long-distance move, comparing a few reputable movers can help you balance cost, workload, and risk.
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Make the most of your move financially
PCS moves involve reimbursements, entitlements, and strict rules. They can also get expensive fast if you underestimate how much you’ll spend.
Ryan Guina, founder of The Military Wallet and Air Force veteran, sees the same mistake over and over again:
“The biggest financial mistake service members make when PCSing is underestimating the cost of the move. In theory, the military will cover the cost of moving your household goods to your next duty station. However, the military only covers a limited number of days in temporary lodging, so you will need to find your next home quickly.”
Guina recommends budgeting more for meals and temporary housing, and factoring in unexpected housing expenses such as utility setup costs and deposits, vehicle registration, and new driver’s licenses if you change your state of residency.
With that in mind, here are some terms you should know to make a smart financial move:
- Government Travel Charge Card (GTCC): Only use it for authorized PCS expenses like gas and hotels. Track your balance carefully, because misuse can result in non-reimbursement or penalties.
- Advance Travel Payment: If you don’t have (or can’t use) a Government Travel Charge Card, you may be able to request an advance on certain PCS entitlements (often DLA and some travel costs) to cover upfront expenses. Rules differ by service and are spelled out in the JTR and DFAS guidance, so always confirm with your finance office before relying on an advance.
- Dislocation Allowance (DLA): Apply for DLA before your move to help cover the costs of relocating. DLA is intended to partially reimburse you for household relocation expenses you incur during a PCS that aren’t covered by other allowances. It is authorized in addition to other PCS allowances and may be paid in advance when you meet eligibility rules and request it.
- Monetary Allowance in Lieu of Transportation (MALT): The MALT is a mileage reimbursement that you can claim for one or two cars if you’re traveling with dependents.
- Transportation of POC: If you’re moving overseas, you can ship one car to your new station if it’s explicitly included in your orders. Rules vary by location and branch, so confirm eligibility with your transportation office and check your orders carefully.
- Per Diem: While you’re traveling between duty stations on PCS orders, you and your authorized dependents are generally entitled to per diem, a daily allowance meant to offset the cost of lodging, meals, and incidental expenses along the route, based on JTR rules and current per diem rate tables.
- Lodging: The number of authorized travel days is based on the official distance between duty stations. For each authorized travel day, you earn per diem, which is meant to cover lodging and meals en route. Be sure to ask for military discounts, too.
- Temporary Lodging Expense (TLE): TLE partially pays for up to 21 days of temporary lodging for accommodation and food. TLE and per diem are mutually exclusive—i.e. you can’t claim TLE on the same days you claim per diem.
- Temporary Lodging Allowance (TLA): You may be authorized for up to 60 days of TLA on your arrival at your new station as you wait for your housing to be ready.
- Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH): If you will be living off-base, you may qualify for a BAH, which is non-taxable money to cover your rent and utilities.
- Overseas Housing Allowance (OHA): You are eligible for the monthly non-taxable OHA to cover rent and utilities if you won’t be living in government quarters when you are transferred overseas.
- Move-In Housing Allowance (MIHA): If you receive OHA and must live in rented or privately-owned housing overseas, the MIHA covers one-off miscellaneous costs like non-refundable deposits, essential appliances, installation of security, and improvements for comfortable, safe living.
Consider family and emotional support
PCS moves mean more than a change of address. They change routines, schools, friendships, and day-to-day stability. A little emotional planning can make the transition smoother for kids, partners, and even pets.
Expert insight: Guina notes that the hardest parts of a PCS often have nothing to do with money.
“Service members face many non-financial challenges when moving, such as quickly finding a safe and affordable place to live, getting to know the local area, fitting in at their new workplace, finding a new place of worship (if applicable), and making new friends. These challenges can compound if you have a spouse and/or children, as they may need to find a new job or school, on top of learning the new area and making friends.”
Focus on a few small habits to make the transition feel safer and more predictable for everyone in your household:
- Keep routines familiar: When everything else feels uncertain, predictable habits help. Try to keep meal times, bedtime, and a couple of “normal” family traditions consistent right up until move day (and as soon as possible after you arrive).
- Give kids age-appropriate ownership: Let kids decorate a few boxes, choose what goes in a “first night” bag, or help plan a goodbye activity with friends. Small choices help them feel involved instead of dragged along.
- Stay connected to your support networks: Base spouse groups, unit pages, and local community groups can be a lifeline, especially for recommendations on schools, neighborhoods, childcare, and what to expect at your new base or duty station.
- Use free resources early: Relocation assistance, counseling services, and family support programs can help with everything from school transitions to job searching for spouses. The earlier you tap into these resources, the more useful they tend to be.
- Plan for kids’ moving-day needs: Think snacks, comfort items, a favorite toy, and easy activities for travel days. For more ideas, check out our guide to moving with kids.
Don’t forget moving day essentials
On moving day, small oversights become big headaches, especially if you’re juggling check-in times, paperwork, pets, and a tired family. Keep a clearly labeled essentials kit so you’re not digging through boxes just to find medications, chargers, or your orders.
Here’s what you’ll want within arm’s reach:
- Orders and military IDs: Keep printed copies and digital backups on your phone. You may need them for check-in, lodging, base access, and any last-minute coordination.
- Basic cleaning and first-aid supplies: A small kit can save you when you’re doing a final walkthrough, patching a minor mess, or handling little emergencies without hunting for a pharmacy.
- Chargers, snacks, meds, and comfort items: Pack these like you’re preparing for a long travel day—because you are. Include prescriptions, a few meals’ worth of snacks, refillable water bottles, and anything that keeps everyone functional.
- Pet gear and “open first” boxes: Bring leashes, bowls, food, waste bags, and any medications. Also, keep one clearly marked “open first” box for essentials like sheets, toiletries, pajamas, and a towel so your first night doesn’t turn into a scavenger hunt.
Tips for working with movers
If movers are packing or loading your home, your job is to stay present and organized, not to hover, but to make sure nothing important is missed. A little communication goes a long way, especially around fragile items and anything you plan to keep with you.
- Offer water and simple snacks: It’s a small gesture that keeps the day running smoothly and helps maintain a positive tone when the work gets hectic.
- Point out fragile or high-value items early: Walk movers through anything that needs special handling (glass, artwork, TVs, heirlooms). If you’re nervous about an item, ask how it will be wrapped and packed.
- Keep your “do not pack” items separate: Set aside a clearly marked area (or a locked room) for documents, medications, valuables, and anything you need immediately. Mention it up front so nothing gets packed by mistake.
- Tipping can be different for government moves: Policies and expectations vary by situation and installation, so check your base guidance before assuming it’s required or appropriate.
- Take photos before and after packing: Quick “before” photos of furniture and electronics help document condition. “After” photos help if you need to reference how something was packed or whether parts/accessories were included.
Bring official procedures and documentation
PCS paperwork protects your reimbursement and helps you resolve issues more quickly if anything goes wrong. Keep a single binder or digital folder with the documents you’ll need during travel and when you file your claims afterward.
At minimum, keep these items easy to access:
- PCS orders and ID copies: Bring printed copies plus a digital backup. Orders come up constantly during check-in, scheduling, and reimbursement steps.
- Weight tickets (for a PPM/DITY): If you’re doing any portion of a PPM, weight documentation can make or break your payout. Store both empty and full tickets, and keep them with your move receipts.
- Receipts for gas, lodging, and moving services: Save everything in one place and label it by date/location. Even if you don’t end up needing every receipt, you’ll be glad you kept them.
- Travel voucher (DD Form 1351-2): This is the standard form used to file PCS travel claims. If you haven’t filled it out before, keep a copy ready and ask your finance office what supporting documents they’ll want attached.
Plan wisely for OCONUS (international) PCS moves
OCONUS PCS moves add extra layers, with customs rules, longer shipping timelines, and more “waiting periods” where you may not have your full household goods right away. The key is planning for what you’ll need immediately on arrival and making sure your paperwork is squared away before anything ships.
Keep these OCONUS-specific tips in mind:
- Expect longer timelines: International household goods deliveries can take 8–12 weeks in many cases, depending on location and port timelines. Plan as if you’ll live out of essentials for a while, and don’t pack anything you truly need week-to-week.
- Use unaccompanied baggage strategically: Treat unaccompanied baggage like your “bridge kit.” Prioritize uniforms, basic kitchen items, work essentials, seasonal clothing for your gaining location, and items that make life livable while you wait for the main shipment.
- Touch base early with relocation support: Your new base’s relocation office can help you understand local housing processes, what appliances and furniture you may or may not need, and any country-specific rules that can affect what you should ship.
- Plan for different voltage, sizing, and availability: Some overseas locations have different electrical standards and smaller living spaces. Before you ship everything, confirm what makes sense to bring versus what’s easier to buy locally.
Know the key agencies for your military move
Housing Office
Contact the Housing Office at your new base as soon as you learn about your impending move. If you plan to live on base, they’ll place you on the housing waiting list.
If you intend to live off base, the Housing Office is still important as they can recommend good, affordable neighborhoods, real estate agents, and landlords.
Military and Family Support Center
Once you’re notified of your PCS, contact your Military and Family Support Center to schedule a meeting with a relocation assistance specialist.
The specialist will provide tips on budgeting for your move, the types of moves available to you, childcare, and resources you could tap into to find work at or near your next duty station.
Note that the Military and Family Support Center goes by different names in different branches of service.
Travel Management Office (TMO)
The TMO coordinates your official travel and household goods shipment. They help you schedule movers, understand your weight allowance, and work with DPS/MilMove. Pay and housing allowances are handled separately through your finance office.
Defense Military Pay Office (DMPO)
The DMPO arranges travel reimbursements. They’ll assist you with completing all requisite forms and process your reimbursements. You should receive your reimbursements within 4 weeks, though it sometimes happens much faster than you expect.
You can fill out the reimbursement claim form (known as a Travel Voucher) online or you could download it and submit it.
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Frequently asked questions
How do I prepare for a PCS move?
Start by registering your move through your branch’s official system (often DPS/MilMove) as soon as you have orders. Then put together a PCS binder or digital folder with your orders, contacts, housing info, and checklists. Finally, set a simple budget and week-by-week timeline so you’re spreading tasks out instead of cramming everything into the last week.
What should I carry with me during a PCS?
Carry anything that would be hard or stressful to replace. Keep your orders, IDs, medical records, prescriptions, and key financial or housing documents with you, not on the truck. Pack a small bag with clothes, toiletries, chargers, snacks, and pet supplies so your family can function even if your shipment is delayed.
How do I get reimbursed for PCS costs?
Reimbursement comes down to having a clean paper trail. Save every receipt for authorized travel and moving expenses and use your Government Travel Charge Card only for eligible charges. Track your travel dates and mileage, then submit your travel voucher with orders, receipts, and required weight tickets to your finance office as soon as you arrive.
Any tips for overseas moves?
For OCONUS moves, start earlier than you think you need to. Make sure passports, visas, overseas screenings, and required vaccines are underway well before your report date, and review customs rules for household goods, vehicles, and pets. Use unaccompanied baggage for uniforms and everyday essentials, and lean on your gaining installation’s relocation office or sponsor for local advice.
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