Moving is tough for anyone but for military families, moving can be filled with additional challenges. Preparation is key to a successful military move.  Planning your relocation ahead of time allows your entire family to relax and feel confident about your new adventure.

Here’s some steps to make moving a military family easier:

Getting Your PCS Order

As a military family you know that moving is a way of life.  When you receive your permanent change of station order, take time to contact the government office branch handling your service move.  Sit down with them as soon as possible and discuss all your moving options.  Ask about financial obligations and discuss the pros and cons of each moving choice.  Be sure to ask questions like:  ” How will I pay for this move?” and “How does personal reimbursement work?  ”

Next, contact the family center located in the station where you will be transferring.  The family center can offer assistance along with the assurance that everything will work out in the end.  Talking to someone, who is actually in your new location, is a great way to calm your nerves. Be sure to request the official checklist provided to all military families who are moving.

Do It Yourself Moves

Military families can benefit by moving themselves.  In some cases, voluntary do it yourself moving can be all or part of the overall relocation.  Here’s how it works.  The government allows your family a reimbursement if you choose to move your own belongings.  Depending on the situation,  reimbursement may allow you to gain a small financial benefit from a permanent change of station.

Using the Do It Yourself moving model, you may use your own vehicle or rent a vehicle to help you move.  Military families moving may qualify for additional discounts from various u haul vendors.  The government allows a per diem for gas and truck rental along with insurance coverage.

The main advantage of a Do It Yourself move is control.  You are able to control the time of your move, the cost of your move and who is going to help you move.  Depending on your circumstances, this may add to your peace of mind.

Weighing Your Household Goods

Estimating the weight of your household goods is key with every military move.  The government will pay for a set, total weight of all your furniture and belongings.  Additional weight is moved at your own expense.  The best way to begin is to count up the number of furnished rooms in your home.  Take the number of rooms and multiply it by 1,500 pounds.  Don’t forget that your attic, your basement and your garage count!  In most cases you will be allotted 18,000 pounds of total HHG weight.  Some overseas stations have a much lower weight allotment.  In this case your excess HHG will be stored.

Successful military families make moving easy by keeping a key focus. Keep what you love - toss or sell what you don’t.  You can always accumulate new items.  Decide which belongings say “home” to you and your children and be sure to take those (and only those) with you.

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