PCS Season Kickoff
We’ve officially entered the start of PCS season, a time when more than 65% of our military members begin preparing for the arrival of new orders and the many changes that come with them. Whether it’s your first move or one of many, this process can feel like you’re rewriting the book every time. To help you tackle your new orders, we’ve put together this blog as a guide with practical steps to get you started off strong.
The first step in any PCS journey is understanding your orders. These documents are packed with so many details like your destination, reporting dates, and entitlements. Take the time to thoroughly review them and don’t hesitate to reach out to your chain of command or installation’s transportation office if something is unclear. The information provided to you is important and it’s critical that you understand it.
Once you’ve reviewed your orders, it’s time to create a game plan. Military OneSource allows you to create a custom checklist to help you stay on top of all the important steps. You can also get a designated calendar to mark key dates, such as pack-outs, travel days, and reporting deadlines. This is also a good time to start thinking about what kind of move would work best for you – a Personally Procured Move (PPM), a Partial PPM, or Household Goods (HHG). If you plan to choose any type of PPM, you will subsequently need to start the process of obtaining a mover. We highly recommend our partner, Logsa Mil Moves. We have partnered with Logsa because they hire military spouses that understand what it means, and the care required to pack and ship a military home (check out their website to learn more!).
Now, if you’re moving with kids…that can come with its own set of challenges but, not to worry, a little preparation can make all the difference. Start involving your child in the process early, whether it’s letting them help pack a special moving box or talking about the exciting changes ahead. During the travel time for the move itself, pack a bag with their favorite snacks, toys, and activities to keep them entertained while traveling. If you’re driving, Amazon has the most fun License Plate Game that gets everyone involved! Another one of my favorite long distance travel tips is to get items from the Dollar Tree and hand out new toys, books, or puzzles every hour or two; I even go the extra step of wrapping each new item. This simple (and cheap!) idea helps to keep the trip exciting; albeit, I couldn’t reveal how many gifts I had in my arsenal, or I’d never hear the end of “can I unwrap another?”!
Before the move, carve out some time to research what your new area has to offer for kids. Find out who the School Liaison Officer (SLO) is at your gaining installation to ask about school support and requirements for enrollment. Ask about extracurricular activities, sports teams, and community organizations that your child can join once you arrive. Familiarizing yourself with these resources ahead of time will not only help you plan, but also give your kids something to look forward to. Don’t forget to tap into the resources available to support your research – support like us! Our help has been, and always will be, completely free of charge. We can help with everything mentioned above, to moving advice, to connecting you with Military Relocation Professionals (MRPs) to help you find a home.
No matter where you’re going, or the size of your crew, PCS season can feel overwhelming; but it also offers a fresh start with new opportunities. Wherever your orders take you, our team is here to make your move as stress-free as possible. Remember, every challenge is an opportunity to grow, and with the right tools and support, you’ve got this!
