Going Through a Military Move? Here’s Your PCS Moving Guide

Few things test a family’s patience like a military move. Between orders, entitlements, weight allowances, and deadlines, a Permanent Change of Station can feel like a second full-time job. The good news is that with the right plan, a PCS does not have to be chaotic. 

This PCS moving guide breaks the entire process into clear, manageable steps so you can move with confidence instead of stress, whether it is your first relocation or your fifth.

If you are stationed near Colorado Springs, Little Red Wagon Moving understands the unique demands military families face, from short-notice orders to tight report dates. Below, we walk through the PCS move timeline, how to prepare, a complete checklist, and the key differences between letting the government handle your move and doing it yourself. 

Consider this your roadmap from the moment orders drop to the day you unpack in your new home.

What Is a PCS Move?

A Permanent Change of Station, or PCS, is the official relocation of a service member from one duty station to another. Unlike a temporary duty assignment, a PCS involves moving your household and usually lasts for an extended tour. 

Because the military relocates hundreds of thousands of service members and their families every year, the process is well established, but it still requires careful planning on your part.

The single most important rule to remember is this: do not move or store your household goods before you have orders in hand, or you may not be reimbursed. Once you receive orders, your local transportation office becomes your best friend. Contact them as soon as possible to schedule your move and sort out your specific entitlements.

PCS Move Timeline: When to Start

Timing is everything with a military move. Orders often arrive a few months before your report date, so the earlier you begin, the more options and lower stress you will have. Use this PCS move timeline as a general framework.

How to Prepare for a PCS Move

Knowing how to prepare for a PCS move comes down to organization. The families who move most smoothly are the ones who treat the weeks before pack-out as prep time rather than waiting until the last minute.

Start by building a dedicated moving binder or digital folder for your orders, inventories, receipts, and contact information. Then work through these foundational steps:

• Declutter first. Every pound you move counts against your weight allowance, so donate, sell, or toss what you no longer need before packing begins.
• Create a home inventory. Photograph valuables and electronics, and note serial numbers. This documentation is invaluable if you ever need to file a claim.
• Research your new base. Look into housing, schools, and local services early so you can hit the ground running.
• Set aside essentials. Pack a separate bag of items you will need immediately, including medications, chargers, important papers, and a few days of clothing.
• Plan for pets and vehicles. Arrange transportation for animals and decide how your vehicles will get to your new location.

Your PCS Move Checklist

A solid PCS move checklist keeps the countless small tasks from slipping through the cracks. Print this military move checklist or save it to your phone and check items off as you go.

Documents and admin

• Secure multiple copies of your orders
• Update your address with USPS, banks, and the DMV
• Transfer or research new medical and dental providers
• Arrange records transfers for children’s schools

Household and belongings

• Declutter room by room
• Complete a photo and video inventory
• Separate professional gear, which may not count against your weight allowance
• Identify items the movers cannot transport, such as flammables and hazardous materials

Logistics

• Confirm your move type and dates
• Reserve lodging and plan your travel route
• Set aside a hand-carry box of essentials and valuables
• Confirm childcare or pet care for pack-out and loading days

For a broader, step-by-step reference you can adapt to any relocation, this general moving checklist pairs perfectly with the military-specific tasks above.

Understanding Your Weight Allowance and Entitlements

Your weight allowance is the backbone of a military move. It is the maximum weight of household goods the government will move or reimburse, and it varies based on your rank and whether you have dependents. 

According to Military OneSource, your local transportation office will walk you through your specific entitlements during a counseling session, but generally the allowance climbs with pay grade and family size.

Going over your allowance means paying out of pocket for the excess weight, which is exactly why decluttering before you pack matters so much. A few other entitlements are worth knowing:

• Professional gear. Items required for your job often do not count against your weight allowance.
• Travel allowances. Mileage, per diem, and temporary lodging expenses help offset the cost of getting your family to the new duty station.
• Vehicle shipment. For most overseas moves, the government will ship one privately owned vehicle, while for stateside moves you typically drive.

Government Movers vs. Professional Movers

One of the biggest decisions you will make is how your belongings actually get moved. When weighing government movers vs professional movers, it helps to understand the two main options.

A government-arranged household goods move relies on a transportation service provider, a moving company under contract with the military. The provider packs your belongings and transports them door to door. This option involves the least hands-on work, but you also have less control over scheduling and handling, and there is no financial incentive for you.

The alternative is a personally procured move, which lets you take charge of the relocation yourself, including hiring your own professional moving company. This route requires more effort, but it offers greater control, more flexible timing, and the chance to be reimbursed, and sometimes to come out ahead financially. 

Many families actually split the difference with a partial move, letting the government handle the bulk of their goods while they personally move the items they want with them right away.

Personally Procured Move Guide

If you are considering taking the reins, this personally procured move guide covers the essentials. A personally procured move, once called a Do-It-Yourself or DITY move, allows you to move some or all of your household goods yourself and get reimbursed.

Here is what makes it appealing:

• The incentive. As an incentive to move yourself, the government will pay you 100% of the government’s constructed best-value cost to hire a moving company on your behalf. In recent years this figure rose from 95% to a full 100%.
• Keep the savings. If you can complete the move for less than that amount, you get to keep the difference, which can add up to a meaningful sum.
• Advance payment. For most branches, you can receive an advance payment of up to 60 percent of the incentive value to cover upfront costs.
• Weight tickets are essential. You must obtain full and empty weight tickets to document how much you actually moved. Without them, you cannot be fully reimbursed.
• Keep every receipt. Retain documentation for trucks, supplies, and expenses, both for your reimbursement claim and because any profit is considered taxable income.

You will set up and manage the move through the Defense Personal Property System, the online platform where you upload your orders and create your shipments. 

Hiring a licensed professional moving company for a personally procured move can give you the convenience of a full-service move while still qualifying for the government incentive.

Moving Day and Beyond

When pack-out or loading day arrives, stay present and involved. Keep your hand-carry essentials and important documents with you at all times, and never pack them on the truck. If you are doing the move yourself, weigh your vehicle both empty and full to capture accurate weight tickets.

Once you reach your new home, inspect your belongings as they come off the truck and note any damage right away. Document everything with photos, keep your inventory sheets handy, and file any damage claims promptly within the required window. 

Finally, submit your travel voucher as soon as possible so your reimbursement is not delayed. A little diligence at the finish line protects both your belongings and your wallet.

Make Your Next PCS the Easiest One Yet

A military move involves a lot of moving parts, but with a clear PCS move timeline, a thorough checklist, and a smart choice between a government-arranged move and a personally procured one, you can take control of the process. Preparation is the difference between a stressful scramble and a smooth transition to your next chapter.

When you are ready for reliable, professional help, Little Red Wagon Moving is here for military families across the Pikes Peak region. We proudly serve Fort Carson and the surrounding area with dependable long-distance moving and full-service residential moving built around your timeline. Need a few packing pointers first? Check out our tips on how to pack for a move quickly, then request a free estimate to make your next PCS the easiest one yet.