Tips to make a military move easier

Charles Zuckerman

Military families move constantly, and the amount of advance warning they get can vary. Getting Permanent Change of Station (PCS) orders or doing a Personally Procured Move (PPM) can be a stressful time for families, but there are ways to make it easier.

Be ready for anything

Preparation is key for any type of military travel. Penske Truck Rental recommends families have a moving plan in place so they are ready when orders come. Families may want to have a folder that contains phone numbers, contact names, dates, checklists and any other pertinent moving information in one folder to have handy when the PCS orders come.

Do it yourself to save money

The military covers moving costs when a servicemember gets PCS orders, but there are a number of payment options. The do-it-yourself (DITY) option allows families to move themselves, then get reimbursed for the costs by the government afterward, according to Military.com. Penkse reports the military offers an allocated sum for moving, but if families do it on their own and take advantage of certain military travel discounts from moving companies, they may be able to profit from the move.

Get to know your neighborhood before and after the move

Doing some preliminary research can help military spouses get to know their new home and research job opportunities in the area. They can also research schools and look for programs designed to help military children adapt to their new classroom. Once you arrive at your new home, take a walk around the neighborhood to meet other members of the community who may be able to provide support during the transition.

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