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 significantly reduce stress and streamline the process
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
Early prep reduces stress. Most military families begin preparing 3–6 months before their report date. Here’s a simplified PCS timeline:
- When orders drop: Register your move on Military One Source.
- 3 months out: Create a moving binder, start saving, and research moving companies.
- 2 months out: Declutter, request school records, and notify housing offices.
- 1 month out: Confirm travel/lodging, check in with the Transportation Office, and finalize paperwork.
Build a PCS binder and moving budget
Organization helps you stay calm and ensures you’ll be reimbursed. Start with:
- Moving binder: Store orders, receipts, checklists, and contact info.
- PCS fund: Budget $1,000–$2,000 for out-of-pocket costs like gas, pet boarding, meals, and hotels.
Pack and organize like a pro
PCS moves often involve strict weight limits and tight deadlines. Planning is everything.
- Declutter before you pack: Sort items into keep, donate, sell, or toss. Lightening your load can save money and stress.
- Take inventory and protect your stuff: Log each box and large item in a spreadsheet or inventory app, photograph high-value items, and save everything.
- Label and separate essentials: Clear labels help you stay organized on the other end. Color-code boxes by room, and create a “first night” box with toiletries, bedding, snacks, and pet supplies.
Choose the type of move you want
You have a few options when it comes to planning your military move.
- A Household Goods Move (HHG) handles your relocation needs for you, which eliminates much of the stress and worry.
- A Do It Yourself Move (DITY) also known as a PPM (personally procured move) gives you the responsibility of coordinating the move yourself.
- A Partial PPM means you move some of your belongings yourself and let the government handle the rest.
If you choose a PPM, you don’t actually have to do it yourself. If you’re interested in hiring a professional moving company, especially for a long-distance move, compare our top picks.
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Make the most of your move financially
PCS moves involve reimbursements, entitlements, and strict rules. Here’s what you need to know to make a smart financial move:
Use your Government Travel Charge Card (GTCC) wisely
Only use it for authorized expenses like gas and hotels. Track your balance carefully, because misuse can result in non-reimbursement or penalties.
Understand your monetary entitlements
- Advanced 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 cover the costs of relocation. It covers transfer of utilities, forwarding of packages and mail, and other expenses precipitated by the move but that aren’t covered by other allowances or reimbursements.
- 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 POV shipment eligibility with your transportation office and check your orders carefully.
- Per Diem: You’ll receive per diem for food and miscellaneous daily costs while traveling to your new station.
- Lodging: The number of authorized travel days is based on the official distance between duty stations (typically 350–400 miles per day). 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 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’re entitled to as much as 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 on 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 are hard on kids and partners too. Here’s how to help:
- Keep routines familiar. Let kids decorate boxes or say goodbye to friends creatively.
- Stay connected with base support groups or spouse networks.
- Take advantage of free resources offering support.
- Check out our guide to moving with kids to make moving day simple.
Don’t forget moving day essentials
When moving day rolls around, you want to have all your ducks in a row. Here’s what to have handy to avoid any surprises:
- Orders and military IDs
- Basic cleaning and first-aid supplies
- Chargers, snacks, meds, and comfort items
- Pet gear and “open first” boxes
Tips for working with movers
If you hire a professional moving company, here are a few tips for working with them on the day of your move:
- Offer water and snacks
- Supervise fragile items as they’re packed
- Tipping may be optional for government moves; check your base’s policy
- Take photos before and after packing
Bring official procedures and documentation
Make sure you check all the boxes for your military move. Keep all of these essential documents in your binder or a digital folder:
- PCS orders and ID copies
- Weight tickets (for PPM or DITY)
- Receipts for gas, lodging, and moving services
- Travel voucher (DD Form 1351-2)
Plan wisely for OCONUS (international) PCS moves
International moves come with added paperwork and shipping timelines. If you’re moving overseas, keep these tips in mind:
- Longer timelines: Deliveries can take 8–12 weeks. Pack only the essentials to simplify your move.
- Pack wisely: Use unaccompanied baggage for items you might need on arrival.
- Touch base: Connect with your new base’s relocation office before shipping.
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 (sometimes called the Personal Property or Transportation Office) 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 it.
You can fill out the reimbursement claim form (known as a Travel Voucher) online or you could download it and submit it.
How Much do Movers Cost?
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Resources worth checking out for your military move
- Quick and easy moving cost calulator
- List of best military moving companies
- List of best interstate moving companies
- List of best car shipping companies
- The official government site for military moves
- Military OneSource Branch of Service portal
- Resource for moving with kids in the military
Frequently asked questions
How do I prepare for a PCS move?
Start by registering your move online, building a binder, and setting a budget. Use checklists to stay organized from start to finish.
What should I carry with me during a PCS?
Bring your orders, IDs, medications, chargers, important documents, and essentials for every family member (including pets).
How do I get reimbursed for PCS costs?
Save every receipt, track expenses, use your GTCC for authorized charges only, and submit claims promptly with required documentation.
Any tips for overseas moves?
Yes. Start early, understand customs rules, use unaccompanied baggage, and connect with your overseas base’s relocation services.
How we chose the best moving companies
The moveBuddha team has spent nearly 10 years evaluating moving companies using a rigorous review system to identify the best moving companies. Our thorough methodology evaluates each moving company's services, cost, customer service, and reputation:
Moving services (35%):
We verify operating authority, insurance, and service scope against FMCSA/SAFER and state databases. We confirm availability via standardized mystery-shopping calls (packing tiers, storage type, specialty handling, delivery windows, valuation), and then review contracts alongside complaint and claims patterns over time.
Customer feedback (28%):
We run structured post-move surveys through our Better Moves Project with verifiable documentation. We emphasize on-time performance, care of goods, and estimates’ accuracy, and we investigate outliers before they influence scores.
Online reviews (7%):
We aggregate ratings across multiple third-party sites to reduce platform bias, analyze overall trends and company response behavior, and discount obvious spam/fake signals such as sudden bursts, duplicate language, and low-history profiles.
State availability (12%):
We confirm USDOT numbers, broker vs. carrier status, and any required state permits, then score a state-by-state service matrix that accounts for coverage gaps, seasonal limits, and lane strength. We award additional credit for documented cross-border or specialty lanes.
Additional services (12%):
We verify whether add-ons are performed in-house or subcontracted, look for crew training/certifications for high-value or oversized items, count only documented offerings (tariffs, photos, written service descriptions) confirmed via mystery shopping, and reward robust pre-move planning (virtual surveys, itemized crating).
Quotes/Payment options (6%):
We test standardized move profiles to assess estimate type (binding, not-to-exceed, non-binding), line-item transparency, and disclosed surcharges, require clear written policies for deposits, refunds, and cancellations, and award points for secure, flexible payment methods and customer portals.
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