In addition to your main household goods allowance, you may be eligible for other entitlements based on your professional needs or specific situation. Use this section to understand these other important allowances and considerations.
Professional gear (pro-gear)
Professional gear is a separate weight allowance that does not count against your household goods weight limit. This includes items needed for your job, such as professional books, tools, and specialized equipment.
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Service members are authorized up to 2,000 lbs. of pro-gear.
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Spouses are authorized up to 500 lbs. of pro-gear related to their profession.
Be sure to clearly separate your pro-gear from your regular household goods so it can be weighed and documented correctly by the movers.
Personally procured moves (PPM)
As part of your move, you have the entitlement to transport a portion of your own household goods. This is known as a partial PPM. Moving items in your personal vehicle can be a smart way to manage your move and keep important items with you.
There are two key benefits to doing a partial PPM:
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Flexibility within your weight allowance. You can split your total authorized weight between the government shipment and the items you move yourself. This gives you the control to personally transport high-value or essential items. Just remember, the combined weight of both shipments cannot exceed your total maximum allowance.
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You can receive an incentive. You may be paid for the weight you move yourself, based on what it would have cost the government to ship it. Please note, this payment is an incentive based only on the weight you move; your actual operating expenses (like gas or truck rentals) are not separately reimbursed..
To do a partial PPM, you must weigh your vehicle both empty and full at a certified scale and submit the weight tickets. For all the details on the process, see our Guide to Personally Procured Moves.
Temporary duty (TDY) allowances
If you are going on a TDY assignment, your orders may authorize you to ship a small amount of household goods. This typically includes items like professional gear, necessary medical equipment, and other personal effects.
A key benefit is that if your TDY location becomes your new permanent duty station, this TDY shipment is treated as an additional allowance. It will not count against your total PCS weight entitlement. For the official rules, please refer to the Joint Travel Regulations (JTR).
Special circumstances
Beyond a standard PCS, certain life events or order types have unique rules and allowances. As always, if you have any questions about your move or entitlements, contact your local transportion office.
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OCONUS moves: Moves to or from an overseas location have different rules and may involve additional shipment types like Unaccompanied Baggage (UB) or Non-Temporary Storage (NTS). For more details, see our Guide to OCONUS Moves.
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First-time movers, separating members, and retirees: You have unique entitlements. It is required that you contact your local transportation office for specific counseling on what is authorized for your move.
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Wounded, Ill, or Injured members: WII service members may be authorized special weight allowances or moves to a designated location for treatment or recovery. This requires specific coordination with your service's Wounded Warrior program and your transportation office.
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Moves due to divorce or separation: If you are legally separating or divorcing, there are specific entitlements that may authorize the move of your spouse and dependents to a separate location. You must work with your legal office and transportation office to understand these benefits.
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Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP): While your primary weight allowance doesn't change, any durable medical equipment necessary for an exceptional family member is often weighed separately and does not count against your household goods weight limit.