Tips for a Smooth PCS Move

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Air Force News | by Mitch Chandran, Headquarters Surface Deployment and Distribution Command Public Affairs

SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- Each year, about 225,000 Department of Defense and U.S. Coast Guard household good shipments are slated for movement during the summer months. These shipments compete with private sector moves creating a phenomenon in the transportation industry called the "peak moving season."

Peak moving season runs May through August each year with the peak of the peak between Memorial Day and July 4.

The Army's Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command's Personal Property Directorate manages the Defense Personal Property Program, or DP3, for DOD.

SDDC officials want servicemembers, federal employees and their families to know a smooth move for household goods is possible during peak moving season with proper planning and attention to detail.

"As soon as you receive your permanent change of station orders, you should start your move process," said John Johnson, branch chief for SDDC's Personal Property Directorate Quality Assurance Division. "Requesting your pickup and delivery dates as soon as possible will ensure a better chance of getting the dates you want."

All DOD servicemembers and civilians, including their families, have two avenues to manage their move based on local policies.

The first is the traditional visit to the local installation transportation office or personal property shipping office to receive a relocation briefing and start the move process.

The alternative is to use the Defense Personal Property System, or DPS, which is accessed through the website, www.move.mil. This website is the portal for DPS and the one-stop shop where members can completely manage their move process.

Members using move.mil for the first time will find online training videos and presentations explaining how to navigate through the move process.

SDDC provided moving tips
- Create a personal moving calendar with checklists, phone numbers and links to critical moving processes and information

- Your Transportation Office (TO) or Personal Property Shipping Office (PPSO) is the primary point of contact for customer service. It is never too early to ask questions.

- Once you get your orders and know the dates you want to move, immediately start the moving process. Contact your TO/PPSO to learn all options available to you, including a Personally Procured Move. The sooner you start the better chance you have to lock in your preferred move date.

- Moving in the summer months (May through August) is extremely busy with Memorial Day to July 4 being the busiest moving time of the year. Since requested pickup and delivery dates may not be available during this time, flexibility is important and building extra time into your schedule for unforeseen circumstances is recommended.

- Once your move dates are requested, don't assume they are set. Move dates are not confirmed until you coordinate with your Transportation Service Provider (the company contracted to do your move).

- Pack, pickup and delivery dates are usually scheduled on weekdays. You or your designated representative must be available between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. You don't want to miss your move dates as this will cause unnecessary hardship on everyone and possibly extra expenses for you.