As a result, it is best to plan and book shipments of household goods as far ahead of time as possible. In fact, many offices require 30 days from the scheduled appointment to set up a shipment. During non-peak time many shipments can often be scheduled within 10 days of counseling.
To ensure a successful move, be sure to provide the following to your personal property entitlements counselor:
- Alternative pack/pickup dates (just in case the dates you want are not available)
- Accurate contact phone numbers
- In-route point of contact phone number/address
- Six (6) legible copies of the member's orders (per shipment)
- Proof of dependents, from the member's service record
- Dependent Entry Approval
- A Power of Attorney or Letter of Authorization, notarized or countersigned by a commissioned officer, if someone other than the member will be signing documents on the member's behalf
- Information on prior shipments if household goods will need to be moved from a location other than the member's current residence
- The registration for any motorized vehicle, motorcycle, boat or trailer that is being shipped
- The make, caliber, and serial number of any firearm being shipped
- For a home of record move, in addition to the above, members will need to bring two (2) copies of their enlistment contract or officer home of record papers, and two (2) copies of every set of orders received up to the current duty station (this additional paperwork is required to correctly calculate the entitlement)
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BCD/Other
Members separating with other than an Honorable Discharge must obtain a letter from their convening authority authorizing their dependents to be moved.
Continental United States (CONUS)
Any move within the continental United States. This makes up the majority of most relocations, and is usually done by the contract carrier assigned by the government by the member as a Do-It-Yourself (DITY) move, in some areas by Service-member Arranged Move (SAM), or a combination of the above.
Deployment Storage
If deployed with a ship or squadron for 90 days or more, some members (single and geographic bachelors) may be eligible to store household goods at government expense.
Do-It-Yourself Move (DITY)
Members who volunteer to move themselves and meet all requirements are entitled to 95 percent of what it would cost the government to pay a government contracted carrier. Most members can receive up to 60 percent of this amount in advance, to help cover the expenses of their move. Some restrictions apply.
Entitlements
Your moving entitlements depend in large measure on your orders and what is written in them.
Home of Record or Combination of Orders Move
This move involves shipment of household goods from a location other than within your current local area, or another area in the continental United States or overseas. It is the most complex move because of the paperwork involved.
Local Move
A door-to-door move within the local area, with no storage involved. Most common are moves into and out of government quarters.
Overseas Duty Orders
- Shipment of household goods upon receipt of PCS orders. Must have 12 months or more remaining after the scheduled arrival of household goods.
- An unaccompanied baggage shipment.
- Long-term storage (non-temporary) for the length of the tour.
- Shipment of household goods and/or unaccompanied baggage to a specified or designated location in the continental United States.
- Shipment of a privately owned vehicle, if permitted. Some overseas areas restrict shipment of privately owned vehicles. If moving overseas, the personal property counselor will review these restrictions with the member, depending on the member's destination.
- Dependent entry approval is required for some overseas locations. Contact your local PPSO for more information.
A move from the continental United States to an overseas location, including Alaska and Hawaii, is considered an overseas moves. Family member entry approval is required for some locations.
Permanent Change of Station Orders (PCS)
- Shipment of household goods from the current duty station to the new duty station.
- An unaccompanied baggage shipment.
- Transfer of goods from long-term storage (non-temporary) to the new duty station.
Members retiring from the service have one year to complete their final move. If members have not made their home of selection, they are entitled to storage for one year at "origin" from date of retirement. If members have less than 18 years of service as of November 1, 1981, their goods may be shipped anywhere within the United States, including Alaska and Hawaii. Members on retirement orders may request extensions beyond the one year limit for medical, training, educational or other deserving reasons.
When requesting extension of shipment rights, you should contact the nearest moving in person or by mail. You will need your Retirement orders (with accounting data), your DD-214, documentation from school verifying commencement and/or a letter from your doctor showing your hospitalization or treatment, and a letter from service member requesting extension.
Non-temporary storage beyond one year from effective date may be excess cost to you but at the government rate. Note: You could be liable for all transportation costs arising from making more than one shipment.
Sea Duty Orders
- Shipment of household goods to the new homeport.
- An unaccompanied baggage shipment.
- Placement of goods in long-term storage (non-temporary) for the length of the tour, or continuation of non-temporary storage.
- Transfer of goods from long-term storage (non-temporary) to the new duty station.
Members separating from the service on a Voluntary Separation with Incentive (VSI) or a Special Separation Bonus (SSB) have the same entitlements as retirees. Members separating on the transition management program (TAMP) or separating involuntarily between have the same entitlements as retirees.
Separation Orders
Members separating from the service have 180 days from the effective date of discharge to move personal property at government expense. If unsure of where they want to move, local storage of up to 180 days may be requested.
Members living in government quarters and separating or retiring, may move locally out of the quarters (Local Move) and still have their shipping rights within the authorized time limit.
Unusual or Arduous Sea Duty Orders
- Same as sea duty orders. But, in addition, make shipment of household goods and /or unaccompanied baggage to a specified or designated location within the continental United States.
Orders
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1. Set up a meeting with your base transportation office. Depending on your service branch, the name of the government office which will handle your relocation varies:
- The Department of Defense - Joint Personal Property Shipping Office
- Air Force - Traffic Management Office
- Army - Installation Transportation Office
- Navy and Marine Corps - Personal Property Shipping Office
- Coast Guard - Household Goods Shipping Office
2. Contact the family center at your new location. Family centers offer relocation assistance programs that provide moving information to you and your family. Ask questions, and learn about your new community and what it offers. For more specific information on installation facilities and contact numbers, check out the Military Installation Guide.
3. If you're living in government quarters, notify the housing office of your projected move date. Make sure you also know all the regulations about cleaning your home before you move out. For more tips on cleaning house, see the Tips on Cleaning House section.
4. Make an appointment with your finance office at your current installation. Making a move will be a drain on your bank account -- the finance office can give you the lowdown on your options, as well as relocation benefits and pays that you are eligible for.
5. Use the Basics of Moving guide and the Moving Checklist to help plan your move.
