Getting Ready For My First PCS.... ?

Question

My husband is going to be stationed at Ft. Lewis, WA in January and unfortunately I'm having to do all of the PCSing by myself... The kids and I had to stay in Oklahoma while he went to Ft. Belvoir, VA for AIT. I have never done a PCS move and have no idea how it works. And he obviously isn't here to help me with it... So can anyone tell me how it works?

Answer 1

There should be some type of wives support club if you go there and ask for help they should definitely be able to help also his command should have some type of program set up usually with CO's wife or something like that to help you.

Good Luck!  

Answer 2

Take a deep breath and relax... it will be ok!!  

First, take a look at military one source... the link is below for their relocation page.  LOTS of good info!!  There are timelines, things to not forget, etc,. etc.

Are you near or at an Army Post now?  If you are, you'll go through them to set up everything.  You will need copies of hubby's orders (LOTS of them) and also a power of attorney.  

Right now start having garage sales and major clean outs to prep for moving.  Do research on Ft. Lewis and the area.  Check with their housing office to see if you need to start checking out rentals and the schools.  

Get yourself organized.  Set up a binder that will be nothing but PCS.  That will be your bible!!  EVERYTHING related to the move goes in there.

The military will have folks come out and pack you out and move everything.  You just have to worry about getting you and the kids to WA state and setting up a new home there.  Do NOT try to do a DITY move with kids... let the military do it!

Good luck and use the resources on onesource..... Even though we've moved lots of times I still print out timelines and start making lists.

{{hugs}} and Good luck!!  You'll do great!!  Holler if you need anything!

Answer 3

As a first-time mover with the Army, you're not authorized to use the online PCS forms (SmartWebMove).  You or your husband needs to talk to the Personal Property Office at his current command (in Ft. Belvoir).  There are a few ways to do a PCS move.

1) Total DITY move ... I think it's called a PPM now. Basically, you move all of your household goods by yourself. The Army will reimburse you a certain amount per mile from where you are (OK) to next duty station (WA).

2) Total HHG shipment.  This is where the Army contracts a mover to come move all of your stuff. You need to provide them a pick-up location, 2-3 possible pick-up dates, and a drop-off location (at least city/state if you don't have an address there yet).  It costs no money to you out of pocket, but it's slower than DITY moves and things have been known to go missing/get broken.

3) A combination DITY/HHG move.  You can move some of your stuff and have the Army pay to move the rest of it.  An important part to ask when you talk to your husband's Personal Property Office is what your max weight limit is... it is different for each paygrade.  Good luck!