A Permanent Change of Station, or PCS, is a significant event in military life. While it marks the beginning of a new adventure, the process of getting there can feel overwhelming. This guide is designed to walk you through your entire move. Think of it as a roadmap that takes you from the moment you get orders to the days of being settled in your new home. Each section gives you the official steps and resources you’ll need to make your move as smooth as possible.

The moment you have official orders in hand, your moving journey begins. Taking prompt and organized action now will set the stage for a smoother experience down the road.

First Things First: Your Initial To-Do List

• Understand Your Orders: Your PCS orders are the key to everything. They contain your timeline, new duty station, and authorizations for moving your family and personal property. You cannot schedule your move without them.

• Contact Your Transportation Office (TO): Your local TO is your number one resource. They will counsel you on your specific entitlements and help you navigate the process. Make an appointment with them as soon as you have your orders. Use the Military OneSource MilitaryINSTALLATIONS tool to find your local office. 

• Create a DPS Account: The Defense Personal Property System, or DPS, is the official online portal where you will schedule and manage your entire household goods shipment. Register for an account right away. It's recommended to use a personal email address for your DPS account so you can access updates at all times.

Moving Overseas? Read this First

If your move involves a location outside the continental U.S. (OCONUS), including to Alaska and Hawaii, there are extra steps and different rules you need to know about things like customs, shipping a vehicle, and long-term storage. It's important to understand these special requirements early in your planning.

With your initial steps completed, it's time to make some key decisions about how your belongings will get from Point A to Point B.

How Will You Move?

You have a few options for moving your belongings. You can even mix and match for a "partial" move.
 

• Household Goods (HHG) Move: This is the most common type of move. The government arranges for a certified moving company, officially known as a Transportation Service Provider (TSP), to pack, load, transport, and unload your belongings.

• Personally Procured Move (PPM): This is where you manage the move yourself. You can use portable moving and storage containers, rental trucks, or hire your own commercial mover to get your belongings to your new home. You may have heard this called a "Do-It-Yourself" (DITY) move.  

• Partial PPM: This is a combination move where you let the government move some of your belongings, and you move the rest yourself. For the portion you move, you can use any of the approved PPM methods. A common example is having the government's movers transport your large furniture while you move essentials and personal items in your own vehicle.

Other Shipment Options

Depending on your specific PCS, you may be eligible for other types of shipments in addition to your main household goods. It's important to discuss these with your local transportation office to see if they apply to your move.
 

• Unaccompanied Baggage (UB): Primarily for overseas moves, UB is a smaller, separate shipment that is sent by air and arrives much faster than your main shipment. It’s perfect for essential items you'll need right away but can't carry with you, like extra uniforms, linens, and some kitchen items.

• Non-Temporary Storage: If you are moving to a location where you can't take all of your belongings (like overseas with government furniture, or downsizing), you may be able to place some of your household goods into long-term storage at the government's expense. For more information, see our Topic Guide on Non-Temporary Storage.  

• Privately Owned Vehicle (POV): For many overseas (OCONUS) moves, the government will pay to ship one vehicle to your new duty station. If you are moving within the continental U.S. (CONUS), you have the option to drive it or ship it at your own expense. The government shipping process is handled separately from your household goods and has very specific rules for documentation and vehicle preparation. Learn the process and requirements in our Guide to Shipping Your POV.

Know Your Entitlements

Your entitlements are the specific allowances the government provides for your move. It's mainly about the total weight you can ship and the types of items that have special rules.

To learn more about entitlements, rules for shipping special items, and access to the Weight Estimator tool, see our complete Guide to PCS Moving Entitlements.

Scheduling Your Move in DPS

Once you're ready, log in to DPS to schedule your shipment(s) and provide your "Latest Pickup Date." This date is used to create your 7-day scheduling window, which is the seven-day period during which the moving company is required to pick up your belongings. The movers can schedule your pickup for any day within this window, which is why it's always best to schedule your move as soon as you get your orders.

Want more details? See our 7-Day Scheduling Window Topic Guide for a complete explanation.

Once your move is scheduled in DPS, the government assigns your shipment to a certified moving company. Here’s what to expect as they handle the logistics of your move.

The Pre-Move Survey

After your move is assigned to a moving company, your first interaction with them will likely be the pre-move survey. A representative from the company will contact you to schedule this, which can happen either in-person or virtually.

During this survey, the representative will walk through your home to:

• Create an estimate of your shipment's total weight.

• Confirm any special items you identified in DPS that need extra care or handling.

This is a great time to walk them through your home and point out which items are part of the main shipment, which items are designated as Professional Gear, and which items are in your "do not pack" pile.

If you are within a week of your scheduled move and a survey has not been completed, you should contact the moving company directly. If you can't reach them, contact your local transportation office for assistance.

Your Tasks Before Moving Day

While the moving company handles the heavy lifting, a little prep work on your part can make a huge difference. This is your chance to get organized before the packing crew arrives.

Start by creating your own detailed inventory with photos or video, which is crucial for your personal records. You should also prepare your home by taking down any wall-mounted items and consolidating important paperwork into a moving binder. Most importantly, you need to set aside a "Do Not Pack" pile with all the essential items you will hand-carry, like laptops, medications, and your official documents.

Packing and the Official Inventory

On packing day(s), the moving crew will arrive to pack your belongings. It is required that you or a designated representative are present during this entire process to oversee the work and answer questions.

As they pack, the crew will create a detailed inventory of every item and its condition. This inventory is extremely important. Do not sign the inventory sheets until you have reviewed them and agree with what is written.

Here’s what to look for:

• Be Specific: Generic descriptions like "box of electronics" or "TV" are not enough. For high-value items, make sure the inventory lists the make, model, and serial number. If the description is too vague, you can ask them to unpack the item and add the correct details.

• Check for Accuracy: The movers will note any pre-existing damage on your furniture, like scratches or dents. Make sure you agree with their descriptions.

• Use the Remarks Section: If you disagree with how an item's condition is described or with any other detail on the inventory, make a note of it in the "remarks" section of the form before signing.

If you have any questions or issues during the packing and inventory process, your first point of contact should be your local transportation office. They are your advocate and can help resolve problems quickly.

Loading the Truck

Loading may happen on the same day as packing or the day after. The moving crew will load all your inventoried items onto the truck, and it's important to understand your role and the movers' responsibilities during this final step at your old home.

Here's a breakdown of the key responsiblities for you and your moving company on loading day:

Once the truck pulls away, your shipment is officially "in transit." While your belongings are on the road, your role shifts from overseeing the packing to tracking the journey and preparing for delivery.

The Required Delivery Date (RDD)

Your TSP is required to deliver your belongings by a specific date, known as the Required Delivery Date.

How is the RDD calculated? The RDD is determined by the official distance of your move and the total weight of your shipment. You can find your specific RDD in DPS after your shipment is picked up.

What to Do While You Wait

Your main job during this phase is to stay informed and be ready.

• Track Your Shipment: You can monitor your shipment's status directly in DPS.

• Keep Your Contact Info Updated: This is critical. If your TSP cannot reach you to schedule a delivery date, it can cause significant delays. Make sure your phone number and email address in DPS are always current.

• What if the TSP is late? If the TSP fails to deliver your items by the RDD, you may be eligible to file an Inconvenience Claim for expenses you incurred because of the delay. If you find yourself in this situation, contact your local transportation office for guidance on the process.
  Learn about the Inconvenience Claim process with our Inconvenience Claim Topic Guide.

You've arrived at your new destination! The final steps are just as important as the first.

Receiving Your Shipment

Oversee the Delivery: As the crew brings your items into your new home, check them off the inventory list and direct the movers where to place furniture and boxes. They are required to reassemble any large items they took apart. You can also request that they unpack your boxes and remove the used packing materials.

Inspect and Document Damage: This is your first and most important opportunity to document any issues. As items come off the truck, check them for any new damage that wasn't on the original inventory. The movers are required to give you a form called the "Notification of Loss or Damage AT Delivery." It is critical to write down every missing item or piece of new damage on this form before the crew leaves. Don't feel rushed; take the time to look over your major items.

Specifically, look for any signs of potential mold or mildew. This can include musty smells or boxes that are damp, stained, or discolored. For more information on what to do if you suspect mold, see our Mold and Personal Property Topic Guide.

Filing a Loss or Damage Claim 

If you discovered any lost or damaged items during or after delivery, your next step is to file a claim in the Defense Personal Property System (DPS). The claims process is a two-step system managed entirely within DPS, and it's driven by strict deadlines.

Your first step is to submit a Notice of Loss or Damage within 180 days of delivery. This officially informs your moving company of the issues. Once you've submitted the notice, your second step is to file the full, detailed claim within 9 months from your original delivery date. This final claim is where you'll include all your documentation, photos, and repair or replacement costs.

Other Final Tasks

Get Reimbursed: File your travel voucher with all receipts to be reimbursed for your travel allowances like MALT and TLE/TLA.

Update Your Information: Don't forget to update your address with the USPS, DEERS, banks, and other important institutions.

Take the Customer Satisfaction Survey: After your move is complete, you will receive a final Customer Satisfaction Survey. While you may have received other surveys during your move, this last one is the most important. Your feedback is vital because it directly affects the moving company’s future business and helps improve the process for all military families.

For more details, see our Customer Satisfaction Survey Topic Guide.

A PCS move is a major undertaking, but with careful planning and the right resources, you can navigate it successfully. Welcome home.

Your move, Our mission - Personal Property Activity