Military Movers

Category: PCS Moving

The Ultimate Guide to OCONUS Deployment
If you joined the military to see foreign lands and absorb new cultures, the news that you’re being deployed overseas is amazing. You can’t wait to start this new chapter in your life and career. Yes, you’re going to have to deal with all of the stress that comes with packing up your belongings and moving to a new country. But this is the chance of a lifetime and you want to make the most out of it.
How do you do that?
By learning as much as you can about OCONUS deployment before you ship out.
This guide explains what OCONUS deployment is, how it differs from CONUS deployment, and what you need to do to prepare for your new overseas service life.
What Is OCONUS?
OCONUS stands for “outside the continental United States.” It’s the term used to describe any deployment that takes you away from American soil. Typically, these deployments go hand-in-hand with a Permanent Change of Station (PCS), which means you’ll move overseas for an extended period. However, your OCONUS deployment may also be more temporary.
Therefore, OCONUS and overseas deployments are the same things. And as a member of the United States military, you have to be prepared for the PCS that takes you overseas at any given moment. Simply put, this deployment works the same way as any other order you receive. You’re told it’s time for an OCONUS military assignment and you start making preparations to move.
How Does OCONUS Differ From CONUS?
CONUS refers to the contiguous United States. This covers most of the United States, in addition to the District of Columbia. OCONUS refers to any territory outside of the contiguous United States. This includes any international territory, as well as Hawaii and Alaska.
Generally speaking, an overseas deployment involving a PCS lasts for 36 months if you’re accompanied by family or 24 months if you’re unaccompanied. Hawaii and Alaska are exceptions here, as tours tend to last for 36 months whether you’re accompanied by family or not. Of course, your PCS may extend depending on the orders you receive.
The Two Key Stages of an OCONUS Deployment
You can break an OCONUS deployment down into two stages:
1. Before the move
2. Making the move
Before the Move
You’ll usually receive unofficial PCS orders before you get your official orders. Unofficial orders usually come via email, a phone call, or through a direct conversation with your supervisor. Take the receipt of these unofficial orders as a cue to start your preparations, though you should hold back on committing to the move until you receive official orders.
The two key things to do at this stage are gathering your travel documents and arranging Family Member Relocation Clearance (FMRC).
You must ensure that you and any dependents have personal passports. While you’ll be issued a military passport as part of your deployment, you require a personal passport for any traveling you do outside of direct orders. It’s worth researching your new location’s visa requirements. While your visa is likely taken care of as part of your deployment paperwork, your dependents may have to complete additional paperwork to undertake the move with you. Speak to your local transport office for confirmation.
FMRC serves the practical purpose of ensuring that your new duty station can support the educational and medical needs of your dependents. Start the FMRC process as soon as you receive unofficial orders. Your hard orders won’t arrive until each of your dependents is cleared to move with you. Schedule appointments with your doctor and dentist for dependents as soon as possible.
Once your official orders arrive, you’re almost ready to start planning your move. Before you do, check the orders closely. Look for any mistakes in names, Social Security numbers, and dates of birth. It’s a good idea to confirm your duty station and reporting dates. Failure to spot errors early can lead to issues that delay your deployment or the arrival of your family. Make several copies of your official orders so you always have them available.
Finally, you may begin inquiring about any PCS benefits available to you during this early stage. It’s also a good idea to start collecting quotes from military movers, though you shouldn’t commit to using anybody until you receive your official orders.
Making the Move
Whether this is your first OCONUS deployment or you’re preparing for an OCONUS to OCONUS PCS, making the move is always stressful. Even experienced personnel may find themselves overwhelmed with everything they have to do to make their move as smooth as possible.
The good news is that there are some useful tips and tricks to make this part of the process easier.
Tip No. 1 – Create an Inventory
You won’t realize how much stuff you own until you’re preparing for an OCONUS army deployment. The military pays to transport your household goods (HHGs) as part of the move. However, you must stick to strict weight limits, which vary depending on your pay grade and the military branch you belong to. Going above these weight limits means you have to deal with out-of-pocket expenses for the additional weight.
You can get ahead of these challenges by creating an inventory.
List all of the HHGs you have at your current location, including any serial numbers or warranties that apply to them. It helps to take photos, which you can use as evidence of an item’s condition if it gets damaged in transit. With your list complete, divide it into items you can leave behind and those you need to take with you. For the latter items, you’ll create a packing list that we’ll discuss below.
Tip No. 2 – Create a Moving Binder
OCONUS deployment requires a lot of documentation, especially if you’re moving with dependents. A moving binder allows you to keep all of your important documents in a single location, making them easier to access.
Start work on your binder as soon as you receive your official OCONUS orders. Add copies of your orders, in addition to copies of identifying documents like your birth certificate, Social Security documents, and marriage records. Add any additional documents as you go through the various approval processes related to your deployment.
Tip No. 3 – Create a Packing List
The inventory you made earlier comes in handy when creating your packing list. Think of this as a checklist of the items you’re going to take with you. Divide the list into three categories:
1. Carry-On – These are the items that you’ll keep on your person during the move. They include your moving binder, a change of clothes, any medications you take, and toiletries. Keep this list light, simple, and focused on the essentials.
2. Household Goods – This category accounts for the majority of the items you’ll transport to your new PCS. Key here is that your HHGs take a few weeks to arrive at your destination, meaning you have to live without them for a while. Non-essentials go into this category, such as furniture, books, and games.
3. Unaccompanied Baggage – Any items you need immediately but don’t want to carry onto your transport go into this category. Unaccompanied baggage is expedited to your location so you have it available as soon as possible. Cooking tools, bedding, and seasonal clothing are good items to add to this list.
Tip No. 4 – Find a Suitable Moving Company
The military generally doesn’t handle your move for you. Instead, you’re responsible for finding appropriate movers, which the military reimburses you for after your move.
Focus on experience and an established track record of successful transports when searching for military movers. Your moving company must understand the challenges that come with OCONUS and overseas shipping. Ideally, it will also be able to help you pack your items and secure the documentation required for the move.
Tip No. 5 – Connect With Your Sponsor
You’re usually assigned a sponsor as part of an OCONUS deployment. If you aren’t, speak to your supervisor about getting one. A sponsor is a member of the military who already lives in the location your orders assign you to. Think of them as a first-hand resource for what you can expect after making the move. Sponsors can answer questions about the area and help you to acquire any goods you’ll need once you’ve moved. Your sponsor may be one of the first people who greet you when you arrive and may spend a couple of weeks helping you to get acclimated.
Stay in close contact with your sponsor as you prepare for your OCONUS move. The better the relationship you have with your sponsor, the more they’ll be willing to help you out.
Frequently Asked Questions About OCONUS Deployment
Can I Bring My Pet on Deployment?
This depends on your duty station’s policies. Some don’t allow pets at all whereas others allow them as long as you follow certain quarantine procedures. Contact your transportation office to find out if your new base allows pets.
Assuming you can bring a pet, the military may reimburse you for any costs related to mandatory quarantines up to $550. You might find that some airlines won’t allow you to transport pets during summer due to the possibility of heat exposure.
Can I Get an Overseas Driver’s License?
You can as long as you have a valid U.S. driving license. The overseas license you receive is conditional and based on your American license. As a result, it expires on the same date. Renew your U.S. license before traveling overseas to ensure you don’t have to worry about handling paperwork during your deployment. As a side note, make sure you carry both your U.S. and overseas driving licenses. You’ll need both when driving.
Can I Ship a Vehicle?
The Department of Defense (DOD) will pay to ship a privately owned vehicle (POV) for most OCONUS deployments. But some locations, such as Japan, don’t allow you to have a POV. In these cases, the DOD reimburses you for the cost of storing your vehicle while you’re away.
It’s a good idea to have your vehicle cleaned by professionals before arranging to ship. Many countries have agricultural regulations in place that prohibit certain substances from being carried in on the items you transport. Ensuring your vehicle is clean reduces the risk that it will be delayed or impounded due to carrying contaminants.
What Is a Command Sponsorship?
Command sponsorships come into play if you’re moving overseas with your family. If you haven’t received Accompanied Orders that state your family is coming with you, you have to get a command sponsorship.
Command sponsorships ensure you’re reimbursed for your children’s housing and travel expenses. They also ensure your family has access to relevant educational and medical services, in addition to ensuring your children can stay in your host country without requiring a visa. Note that requests for command sponsorship may be denied if your host country doesn’t provide suitable educational and medical services.
What Should I Do With My House/Apartment?
This depends on your circumstances.
If you live in rented accommodation, inform your property manager or landlord that you’re leaving. Provide them with a date you wish to end your lease. You may have to continue paying rent if you’re in an unbreakable lease that extends past your deployment date. Make sure you cancel any subscriptions, memberships, and utilities that you won’t use while deployed.
If you own the house or apartment, you can sell it or lease it while you’re away. Of course, you can continue paying the mortgage if you wish to keep the property. These decisions likely won’t be an issue if you don’t bring your family during your OCONUS deployment.
Make Sure You’re Ready to Move Overseas
You always knew that your career in the military could involve living overseas for extended periods. When you received your OCONUS PCS order, you’ll likely experience a mixture of trepidation and excitement. Proper preparation ensures you get your ducks in a row before the move. The advice in this article helps to make the move as smooth as possible. Remember that your local transportation office provides guidance on which PCS benefits you can access, in addition to access to various resources.
Once you’re ready to move, you need a transportation company that can ship your HHGs and vehicle to your new location. With over 30 years of experience helping military personnel move domestically and overseas, Military Movers should be your first choice. We offer packing, unpacking, and storage services that help you get set up and ready for your overseas assignment. Contact our team online or call 866-226-1441 to discuss your move.
August 31, 2022
Army Household Goods Shipping Regulations You Should Know
You’ve been assigned a Permanent Change of Station (PCS), which means you have to prepare to move home. Or, you’ve been assigned a duty that requires a temporary relocation. Either way, this is an exciting period because you have a chance to experience a new culture while on active deployment.
Still, moving home is a complicated process at the best of times. And it’s made even more complicated when you have army household goods regulations to consider. You can’t simply pack up everything you own and expect the military to ship it for you. Instead, you have a specific military moving weight allowance to think about, in addition to certain restrictions on shipping household goods. Military moves run smoothest when you follow all the relevant regulations. With this article, you’ll learn more about the army household goods shipping regulations that apply to you.
Your Military Moving Weight Allowance
Unfortunately, there isn’t a set weight allowance that all military personnel follow. Your military moving weight allowance varies depending on several factors, including the rank specified on your orders and the nature of your move. Generally speaking, higher ranks offer a larger weight allowance.
Your weight allowance is important because it tells you how much stuff you can move without paying out of pocket. If you exceed your allowance, you’re charged after the delivery. This can make transitioning to a new home and new environment more difficult as it forces you to limit other expenses.
You should receive your weight allowance as part of your orders.
PCS Weight Allowances
In addition to rank, your move type and dependency status influence your military move weight limits for a PCS. You may also receive additional entitlements for an overseas (OCONUS) or retirement move. The same applies to a move required due to separating from your spouse.
Furthermore, each branch of the military has different allowances. As such, check with your local transportation office to learn which applies to you. The Military Installations website will help you find the relevant details.
Here are the general PCS weight allowances in pounds based on rank:
- Service Academy Cadet
  - No dependents – 350
  - With dependents – N/A
- Midshipman
  - No dependents – 350
  - With dependents – N/A
- Aviation Cadet
  - No dependents – 7,000
  - With dependents – 8,000
- E-3 to E-1
  - No dependents – 5,000
  - With dependents – 8,000
- E-4
  - No dependents – 7,000
  - With dependents – 8,000
- E-5
  - No dependents – 7,000
  - With dependents – 9,000
- E-6
  - No dependents – 8,000
  - With dependents – 11,000
- E-7
  - No dependents – 11,000
  - With dependents – 13,000
- E-8
  - No dependents – 12,000
  - With dependents – 14,000
- E-9
  - No dependents – 13,000
  - With dependents – 15,000
- O-1, W-1, and Service Academy Graduate
  - No dependents – 10,000
  - With dependents – 12,000
- O-2 or W-2
  - No dependents – 12,500
  - With dependents – 13,500
- O-3 or W-3
  - No dependents – 13,000
  - With dependents – 14,500
- O-4 or W-4
  - No dependents – 14,000
  - With dependents – 17,000
- O-5 or W-5
  - No dependents – 16,000
  - With dependents – 17,500
- O-10 or O-6
  - No dependents – 18,000
  - With dependents – 18,000
Note that these military move weight limits are subject to change. They may also vary slightly based on the factors mentioned earlier.
Temporary Duty (TDY) Weight Limits
TDY moves differ from PCS moves because you’ll only be at your location for a short period. As such, the military won’t pay to move all of your household items. It provides you with a military moving weight allowance that enables you to bring your professional gear and a small number of household goods.
Again, your exact weight allowance varies depending on your rank and any specifics related to the move. It’s worth noting that your TDY limit is in addition to any accompanied or unaccompanied baggage you ship. The following are the general limits in pounds based on rank:
- Service Academy Cadet
  - 350
- Midshipman
  - 350
- Aviation Cadet
  - 400
- E-1 to E-7
  - 400
- E-8
  - 500
- E-9
  - 600
- O-1 to O-3
  - 600
- W-1 to W-3
  - 600
- O-4 to O-6
  - 800
- W-4 to W-5
  - 800
- O-7 to O-8
  - 1,000
- O-9
  - 1,500
- O-10
  - 2,000
If your TDY location becomes a PCS station, your TDY allowance is classed as additional to the PCS entitlement you’re granted when the switch is made.
Unaccompanied Baggage Allowance
Unaccompanied baggage is shipped separately to your main baggage and generally arrives faster than the rest of your household goods. It’s typically used to ship clothing, electronics, and similar items that you don’t want to carry with you when you travel but that you’ll need once you arrive at your destination.
Your unaccompanied baggage allowance varies depending on your rank and the nature of your deployment. However, it’s generally limited to a maximum of 2,000 pounds. You may find you have a lower limit if you’re going on an unaccompanied tour or if an overseas location you ship to has limits in place.
Whatever the case may be, your unaccompanied baggage allowance is part of your overall weight limit. For example, let’s say you’re an E-9 rank who’s arranging a PCS move without dependents. This means your weight limit is 13,000 pounds. Assuming a 2,000-pound unaccompanied baggage allowance, that weight limit lowers to 11,000 pounds for the rest of the items you ship. This assumes you use the full unaccompanied allowance.
Army Household Goods Regulations – What You Can’t Bring
Military movers are happy to ship the majority of your household goods as long as you meet the regulations put in place by the military and your destination. However, some items are considered too hazardous to transport, even if the item itself is harmless.
- Cleaning products, particularly those that use spray bottles. These containers often fail during transit, leading to contaminants potentially leaking onto your other belongings.
- Paints and varnishes are usually prohibited for the same reasons as cleaning products.
- Any product labeled as flammable is usually a no-go with military movers.
- Batteries are usually refused because of their potential to leak or explode while in transit.
- Any chemicals used to maintain a pool or spa, again because leaks can cause contamination.
You’ll also often find that many military movers are wary of loose powder, such as gunpowder. Thankfully, most of these prohibited materials are either not needed at your new location or can be acquired easily once you’ve completed your move.
Army Household Goods Regulations – What You Can Bring
Barring the above-prohibited items, the majority of your household goods can come along with you for your military move. But you must follow some strict rules for certain item classifications.
Pets
Military moving companies don’t ship animals on your behalf. However, you’re allowed to bring your pets with you as long as you ship them at your own expense. You may have to ensure your pet has certain vaccinations, in addition to observing your destination country’s quarantine procedures.
Firearms and Gun Safes
Firearms are allowed as part of your military move allowance as long as the firearm complies with local and state laws. You shouldn’t carry your firearm on your person for domestic or OCONUS moves. You can ship firearms overseas as long as they comply with your destination’s regulations. Any firearm you ship is subject to identification requirements when you return to the United States. Fill out ATF Form 6 when transporting firearms back into the United States after an OCONUS move.
You must ensure your firearm is disassembled and stored properly by following these steps:
- Remove the trigger assembly, firing pin, bolt, and any other parts required to make the firearm operable.
- Take all ammunition out of the firearm. You aren’t allowed to ship privately-owned ammunition as part of your military move weight allowance.
- Package each firearm separately.
- Provide the following information about the firearm for the mover’s inventory:
  - Serial number
  - Make
  - Model
  - Caliber or gauge
  - Any unique characteristics
You can transport gun safes weighing no more than 500 pounds. Empty the safe before shipping as it needs to go through customs and may get held up if it contains firearms.
Consumables
Generally speaking, you can’t ship consumables as part of your weight allowance. This includes food and any other items that perish. The only exception is if you’re assigned to permanent duty in a remote location.
You’re limited to 1,250 pounds per tour year for consumable items. All goods must be packed, weighed, and marked separately.
Vehicles
Privately owned vehicles (POV), such as cars and motorbikes, plus spare parts for those vehicles are all allowed in specific circumstances. You can usually ship one vehicle at the government’s expense for an OCONUS move, as long as the vehicle weighs 20 tons or less.
For domestic moves, you’re permitted to transport a POV to your new duty station. Unfortunately, you’ll likely need to do this at your own expense. The military may reimburse some of your mileage and travel costs, depending on the nature of the move. Consult your transportation office for further details.
If you choose not to drive your POV to a domestic duty station, you’re responsible for paying any costs related to shipping the vehicle.
Alcohol
Alcohol is included in your military moving weight allowance as long as it doesn’t violate any state or country-specific laws. For example, those moving to countries where alcohol is prohibited can’t ship their wine collections with them. You may also have to pay fees for importing alcohol to another country, which the military doesn’t reimburse you for.
Household Appliances
All major household appliances, such as washing machines and refrigerators, are part of your moving allowance. The military covers the cost of shipping, though you’re responsible for packing and preparing the appliance for transport. You also pay costs related to disconnecting any appliances you want to ship.
Professional Books and Gear
Professional gear includes:
- Books
- Military reference materials
- Professional tools and instruments
- Specialized clothing
- Issued gear and clothing
- Military communication equipment
Service members can ship up to 2,000 pounds of professional gear, with their spouses allowed to ship up to 500 pounds. Again, going over these limits means you have to ship the gear at your own cost.
Lawn Furniture
You can usually ship lawn furniture as long as you comply with local or international agricultural laws.
For domestic moves, ensure your furniture is free of spongy moths. If you find spongy moths, you must treat the furniture before you can move it. A more thorough investigation is required if you’re moving from a spongy moth quarantine area to a non-quarantine zone.
OCONUS travel regulations vary depending on where you’re going. Check any agricultural procedures that apply to your lawn furniture with your host installation.
Flat Screen TVs and Monitors
You can ship flat-screen televisions and monitors measuring less than 75 inches diagonally as part of your military moving allowance. If your TV is larger, you’ll pay an additional crating charge.
You’re responsible for paying any expenses related to disconnecting, dismounting, and installing the television. The military only pays for shipping. They don’t take responsibility for any wrapping or packing errors your movers make. This is especially important if you have a plasma television, which must be stored in an upright position when in transit.
Claiming for Lost or Damaged Goods
If any of your approved items get lost or damaged during shipment, you’re eligible to claim the full replacement value. Inform your transformation service provider (TSP) within 75 days of your delivery date to retain your rights. The TSP will either reimburse the full cost of the item or pay for any repairs required.
Ship Your Goods Properly
You have to deal with a lot of army household goods regulations when moving domestically or overseas. Failure to comply with weight limits and item category restrictions leads to delays, extra fees, and, in some cases, the refusal to transport your property.
Understanding the weight limits that apply to you and the types of items you’re allowed to ship makes the process run much smoother. You can also contact your local transportation office at any point to confirm the regulations you must follow.
Of course, ensuring you follow all of the rules is only the first step to moving your items from Point A to Point B. You must work with a moving company that understands the protocols related to military moves.
At Military Movers, we have over 30 years of experience working with military personnel to ship their household goods domestically and abroad. We offer a wide variety of moving services, including shipping household goods and vehicles. Additionally, we provide storage options for items you can’t take with you.
Call us at 866-226-1441 or get a no-obligation quote online to learn more about how we can help with your move.
August 18, 2022
Relocating Across the Pond? Check Out This PCS Overseas Checklist
The order has come in.
You’ve been told you have to prepare for a Permanent Change of Station (PCS). But that’s not all. You’re moving outside the contiguous United States (OCONUS), which gives you the opportunity to experience a brand-new culture.
This may be one of the reasons you joined the military in the first place. And you’re probably thrilled about the opportunity.
But you’re also a little worried.
PCSing overseas means you’ve got to pack up the life you’ve built in the United States and move it thousands of miles away. This is a huge moment in your life and you need to ensure you’ve ticked all the right boxes for your OCONUS PCS. If you’re not careful, it can start to feel a little overwhelming.
That’s where this article comes in.
We’re going to focus on the key things that you need to prepare before PCSing overseas. This is your PCS readiness checklist and it’s going to ensure that you’re ready for whatever your new adventure has in store for you.
Item No. 1 – Do Some Research
You want to know as much as possible about the country you’re moving to before you leave. For example, what if you have to PCS to Korea? Checklist items can help you with the practical elements of the move. But they won’t necessarily prepare you for the culture shock that comes with moving to a new country. The more you know about your destination, the better prepared you are to take on whatever comes next.
Head online and start some research. If you know anybody who’s lived in the country you’re moving to, ask them questions. Gather as much information as you can about the family services, bases, and possible locations for your move ahead of time so you know exactly what you’re getting into.
Item No. 2 – Get Current on All Documentation
Whether you’re PCSing overseas with family or shipping out alone, you need to make sure all of your documentation is current. Your family has to be taken care of if something happens to you overseas. Plus, your documentation must be in order to ensure the move goes as smoothly as possible.
With that in mind, get current on all of the following.
Identifying Documents
Get copies of all of your identifying documents, such as your birth certificate and Social Security card. Do the same for any family members making the move with you.
Driver’s License
Renew your driver’s license. This may seem like a strange idea until you realize that you may be overseas for several years. If your license is set to expire within that timeframe, trying to renew it while you’re abroad is a huge hassle. Getting it done when you’re still in the United States is a lot simpler. Plus, it ensures that your overseas driving license (SOFA) stays valid. After all, some countries require you to have a valid United States license before they’ll grant a SOFA.
Wills and Power of Attorney
It’s never pleasant to think about the worst-case scenario. But you’re in the military and need to prepare for every possibility. Sorting out wills for you and any other family members who are PCSing overseas with you is a priority before any military move.
There’s also the power of attorney to consider.
You want somebody that you trust in the United States who can handle your affairs on your behalf. If you’re PCSing overseas alone, your spouse is likely the best choice to have power of attorney. Otherwise, grant the power to a trustworthy family member who will always act in your best interests.
Personal Passports
You need both a personal and military passport for your OCONUS PCS. The military passport gets handled as part of the move and covers you for any traveling that you do on orders. You need your personal passport for any personal travel while stationed overseas. Anybody who accompanies you needs a valid personal passport as well.
Start the application processes for these passports early.
It takes between eight and 11 weeks to process a passport application. Even if you pay for expedited processing, you still need to wait between five and seven weeks. Waiting until the last minute could mean you have to ship out on orders without your personal passport, creating complications when you arrive at your new location.
Item No. 3 – Organize Your Documents
Once you’re current on all your documentation, you must ensure you don’t lose any of it. A binder is a great way to organize documents. Create binders for each person making the move that contain the following items:
- Birth certificate
- Copies of your orders
- Power of attorney
- Marriage license
- Vehicle shipping information
- Overseas movers’ information
- Car titles
- Insurance policy documents
- Flight and hotel reservations
- Children’s school records
- Passports
- A list of contact numbers
- Veterinary information for any pets you bring
Creating a binder keeps all the key information in one place, making it easy to access quickly when you need it.
Item No. 4 – Obtain Command Sponsorship
This item applies if you’re PCSing overseas with family. You need command sponsorship (also referred to as “accompanying orders”) to bring your family along. You should apply for this sponsorship, assuming it isn’t included in your original orders.
Make the request to your immediate superior and you’ll receive specific instructions on how to complete the sponsorship process. Once completed, your orders will change to state that your family is authorized to move with you. Command sponsorship leads to a larger reimbursement for travel expenses and housing allowance, along with medical services and legal protection for your whole family.
Be aware that command sponsorship can be denied.
If that happens, you receive “unaccompanied orders”, which means you’re only reimbursed for your own moving expenses. You can still move your family overseas with you. But you have to pay for their travel, moving, and living expenses. Additionally, your family must handle visas and residency documentation independently if you don’t receive command sponsorship.
Item No. 5 – Secure Your Military Passport
You need a military passport in addition to the personal passport mentioned earlier. Thankfully, you don’t have to pay a fee to obtain this password. Your military branch’s Travel Management Office (TMO) will help you through this process. Contact your TMO upon receiving your orders and follow the instructions you receive to secure your passport.
This is a vital step.
You need your military passport to travel on orders. Without it, you won’t be PCSing overseas any time soon. You can also apply for these passports for your family members. But in such cases, the military passport is only good to get them to and from your PCS location. Any other travel your family undertakes requires personal passports.
Item No. 6 – Request a Sponsor
A sponsor is a military family already stationed in the location you’re moving to. They’ll help you to get set up in your OCONUS host country by helping you secure cars, cell phones, and the temporary lodging you’ll stay in until you’re placed in out-of-town or base housing.
Your sponsor may help you to find your way around your new location during your first few weeks there, which can help you acclimatize to the new culture quickly.
Item No. 7 – Schedule Overseas Screening for Family Members
Service members generally complete their screening through their command.
But if your PCSing overseas with family, every person accompanying you needs to go through a separate screening process. You’ll likely get the paperwork for this process from an overseas screening office, such as a local Naval Office. With paperwork in hand, call your care provider to schedule the screenings. Each dependent needs their current medical and vaccination records for the appointment.
Item No. 8 – Start Your Search for Military Housing
This search starts with a choice between living on-post or off.
The choice you make depends on your family’s needs. If you’re moving alone or solely with a spouse, on-post housing is likely more cost-effective and should be suitable for your needs. But if you’re taking children along for the ride, you may need to look further afield to find housing that’s suitable for an entire family.
Starting your search early helps you get ahead of problems as they arise. Your sponsors may also help you to make a more informed decision based on their experiences.
Item No. 9 – Take a Household Inventory
It’s not just you and your family that are PCSing overseas.
Your stuff is coming along too. Or at least, a good chunk of it will be. You have to decide what you’re taking with you and what you’re leaving behind. These decisions are made much easier if you conduct a household inventory.
Grab a camera and take photographs of everything you own. It also helps to document items in a spreadsheet, along with any relevant warranty information or serial numbers, so you have a detailed inventory.
From there, split your inventory into items you’re taking with you and things you can leave at home. This process ensures you don’t spend more than you need to on moving items that you’re not going to use. Plus, having a detailed inventory means you can demonstrate the condition and existence of items that get damaged or lost in transit.
Item No. 10 – Pack and Categorize Belongings
Once you know what to take, it’s time to start packing.
Categorization is key here. Keep different categories of items together so you have easy access to what you need when you need it. Break your items down into three categories:
- Professional Items – Anything you need for your work goes into this category. This includes documentation, uniforms, and equipment.
- Household Goods – These items travel separately to your professional items. They’ll arrive at your location several weeks after you do. Generally speaking, most of what you can’t pack into the suitcases you take with you goes into this category.
- Unaccompanied Baggage – Think of this as the express category for any household items you want to receive quickly. Unaccompanied baggage tends to arrive about three weeks after you’ve made your move.
Item No. 11 – Decide What to Do With Your Current Home
If you’re leasing a property, this decision is usually pretty easy. End the lease so you’re not stuck paying rent while you’re PCSing overseas.
Things get more complicated if you own a home. Assuming you’re moving your family with you, the property could sit vacant while you continue paying the mortgage. That may be an option if you’re willing to absorb the financial hit. However, you could lease the property for as long as you’re stationed overseas. This allows you to generate some income and ensures your home is occupied while you’re away, meaning you don’t have to worry as much about security.
There are several things you need to do if you choose to lease:
- Secure a dwelling policy for home insurance
- Provide any relevant warranty information for your new tenants
- Provide tenants with a contact person who’ll handle any maintenance issues while you’re away
- Create a public liability policy that covers you in cases of property damage or injury to your tenants
And the Final Item – Work With the Right Military Movers
With this OCONUS travel checklist, you ensure you handle the administrative and practical sides of PCSing overseas. You’ll get your documentation in order to ensure a smooth transition into carrying out your orders when you arrive. Plus, you’ll handle all of the administration involved in PCSing overseas with family, assuming your dependents are coming with you.
Your final step is to arrange the move.
That’s where Military Movers comes in.
We’re specialists in helping military members pack up and ship out overseas. We also understand that military life requires flexibility and sacrifices, which is why we aim to make your move as simple as possible.
At Military Movers, we offer active-duty members of the military a discount when shipping vehicles or household items overseas. We have over 30 years of experience shipping goods around the continental United States and to OCONUS locations. Rest assured. You can trust us to make your transition easy.
You’re ready for a new stage in your life.
Trust Military Movers to handle the shipping of your items overseas. Get in touch today online or call us at 866-226-1441 to secure a quote.
August 2, 2022
Military Packing Tips That Will Make Your Relocation Smooth
Efficiency is the name of the game when you’re packing for a military move.
If you’re in the military, you need to know how to pack quickly as you may be asked to move base or ship out at any time. Even if you’re not in the military, understanding how to pack military style helps you to pack faster and with fewer cases.
Simply put, the military has some packing secrets that can be of use to everyone. In this article, we share the key military packing tips that help you prepare for a smooth military relocation.
Tip No. 1 – Create a Staging Zone
One of the biggest military packing secrets is also one of the simplest:
Practice.
Nobody gets good at packing military style without working on it. You need to pack, unpack, and pack again to ensure you know what you’re doing. The old adage of practice making perfect applies here. Better yet, the more you practice, the easier it is for you to memorize where you’ve placed all of your belongings.
So, how do people in the military practice packing?
They create staging zones.
A staging zone is any clear area that allows you to lay out all of the stuff you need to pack. This allows you to organize your gear so you can think through what you need, check items off your checklist, and develop a sequence for packing. Any flat surface can serve as a staging zone if it’s large enough. A bed, the floor, or even a ping pong table are all ideal. Keep any items you’re not going to pack away from your staging zone. If it doesn’t need to go in the case or bag, it’s just a distraction that makes it harder to organize what you need to pack.
Tip No. 2 – Pack by Room and Season
Packing by room is a simple tip. But simplicity is always at the heart of good organization. Keep your kitchen items together using clever techniques like wrapping your dish towels around your glasses. Keep items from different rooms separate so you know exactly what you have and can easily spot anything that’s missing.
Packing for the season applies more directly to people in the military. Your work may require you to move to a different part of the world, which may have different seasons from the United States. In these cases, you need easy access to clothing to suit the specific season. Packing by the season ensures you can quickly unpack to suit the weather in your new location.
Tip No. 3 – Use the Ranger Rolling Technique
Most people rely on folding or bundling their clothing to fit as much into their bags or cases as possible. But the most efficient method is the army roll packing technique. Also called ranger rolling, it allows you to pack clothes tightly while ensuring they stay wrinkle-free when you’re traveling.
Similar to folding, each type of clothing has a different rolling method.
Rolling Shirts
Follow these army roll packing steps to successfully roll a shirt:
1. Lay the shirt out on a flat, clean, and hard surface. It’s tough to roll clothes on a soft surface, like a bed, because your shirts will sag and potentially wrinkle.
2. Place your hands at the center of the shirt and slowly swipe them out to smooth any wrinkles.
3. Fold the shirt’s hem inside out by about three inches. This creates a small cuff. Then, rotate the shirt so that the collar faces you.
4. Fold the sleeves into the center of the shirt and you should form a rectangle. If the shirt has long sleeves, cross them over in an “X” shape.
5. Now, you’re ready to start rolling. Fold the collar about an inch into the shirt and smooth it out. Repeat this process, going an inch at a time and smoothing each fold. This creates a tightly rolled shirt that doesn’t have wrinkles.
6. Tuck the edges into the rolled shirt to create a tight little bundle.
Rolling Pants
Army roll packing applies to pants as much as it does to shirts. But you need a different technique to roll pants properly.
1. Fasten all of the buttons and zippers in the pants before laying them flat on a hard surface.
2. Smooth out any wrinkles using your hands.
3. Create a cuff by flipping the waistband in by about four inches.
4. Fold the pants in half so one leg sits over the other to form a straight line. Smooth the pants using your hands before you start rolling.
5. Starting from the ankles of the pants, fold up by about an inch. Smooth out the fold before repeating, going an inch at a time and smoothing between each roll. Keep going until you reach the cuff.
Tip No. 4 – Create an Army Bag Packing List
This tip will focus specifically on what somebody heading out for army basic training should pack into their duffle bag. However, it can also serve as a basic checklist for anybody who’s packing for a short-term relocation. Alternatively, it can help you pack a bag that contains the items you’ll need immediately after moving into your new home.
Think of this list as a quick guide on how to pack military duffle bag or case.
Clothing
Function goes ahead of style when packing clothes. The following are the key items you need to pack for basic training or a short-term relocation:
- A single set of comfortable casual cloths
- At least one pair of calf-length athletic socks
- Three pairs of white underwear
- One pair of comfortable shoes
You can also add a pair of spectacles to this list if you need them.
Toiletries
While those heading to basic training can purchase toiletries at the post exchange, it’s always a good idea to pack what you need to cover a few weeks.
- A toothbrush with a case
- Comb or hairbrush
- Disposable razors and shaving cream
- Dental floss
- Antiperspirant
- A washcloth and towel
- Shower shoes
- Soap in a soap case
The Extra Stuff
Assuming you’re moving for military reasons, it’s a good idea to bring a copy of your orders along with key identification documents. These include your Social Security card, a valid driver’s license, and certified copies of the birth certificates for you and any spouses or dependents.
It’s also a good idea to bring a combination lock so you can secure your belongings, along with $50 in cash to make small purchases.
This basic packing list covers what somebody would need for army basic training. Plus, it serves as a good basis for a short-term relocation or as a simple checklist if you’re packing individual bags during a house move.
Tip No. 5 – Pack in Reverse Order
One of the key military packing tips is to pack items in the order that you’re going to need them. Assuming you’ve set up a staging zone, you should be able to see every item you’re going to pack. The item you anticipate using last is the first that goes into your bag, and the item you’ll need right away goes at the top.
This is one of those clever packing secrets that ensure you don’t have to go digging through your bags when you need something important. A little preparation goes a long way with packing.
Tip No. 6 – Use the Wall Strategy
Having a specific strategy fits well with a list of military packing tips. After all, the military is all about strategy during operations, and packing should be no different.
The wall strategy is ideal for packing.
The idea here is to think about packing as though you’re building a wall. Some of your items act as your bricks, with the rest serving as the mortar that goes between them and holds everything together.
In the case of packing, items like small bags and shoes act as your bricks. They can’t be folded or manipulated too much, meaning they need to be slotted into place first. Once the bricks are in place, your underwear, clothes, and pants serve as the mortar that goes in between the bricks.
This strategy serves two purposes.
First, it allows you to maximize the space in your bag or case. If you’re using the rolling techniques mentioned earlier, it’s also one of the best packing secrets to make sure all of your important clothes fit into a single bag.
Second, the wall strategy ensures items can’t shift during transit. As a result, the contents of your bag will look just as neat as when you packed them.
As a side note, this strategy works when you’re packing household items too. For example, you can treat kitchenware as bricks, using dishcloths, sponges, and similar items as the mortar when packing your kitchen items.
Tip No. 7 – Bags Inside Bags
Organization is key to most military packing tips. Just dumping everything you own into a few big bags isn’t going to get the job done. You’ll end up scrambling through all of the bags to find what you need. Furthermore, this haphazard approach can lead to important items getting damaged during transit.
Instead, use smaller bags that you pack into your large bags.
For example, you can use small Ziploc pouches or zippered cloth bags to store your toiletries, electronics, and small items. If you want to stick with how to pack military style, it’s also a good idea to have a “go bag” that sits on top of everything else in your larger bag. This “go bag” contains everything you’ll need if you have to get on the move quickly, including some toiletries, clothes, any important electronics, and documents.
Bags inside bags help you to stay organized. Your smaller bags can serve as the bricks for the wall strategy mentioned earlier.
Tip No. 8 – Create a Photo Library
Rapid upheavals may lead to the loss of important items. The problem here is that it may be weeks, or even months, before you realize you’ve lost something. This usually occurs if you don’t need an item for a while after packing and fail to identify the loss during the unpacking process.
Checklists, like the army bag packing list shared earlier, help you to keep on top of what you need to bring.
But it also helps to maintain a photo library of the items you’re packing. For example, you can take photos of your staging zone before you start packing so you can see what items go into each bag. Name each photo and tag the appropriate bag with the same name so you know exactly what it’s supposed to contain. When unpacking, compare what’s in the bag to what’s in the related photo. This is a quick way to make sure nothing gets lost in transit. Plus, it gives you visual cues that may highlight items you’ve forgotten to pack.
Get Packed Military Style
Whether you’re preparing for a military move or you just want to complete a house move with military precision, these packing secrets make you more efficient. With these tips, you ensure that you pack everything you need and require as few bags as possible. Some of these packing secrets, such as the wall strategy, also help you to secure your items during transit.
Of course, packing is only the first stage of any military move. Once you’re packed, you need a reliable service that helps you move your family and belongings from Point A to Point B.
That’s where Military Movers comes in.
We specialize in helping military personnel move domestically and overseas. Along with our partners at A1 Auto Transport, we provide an expert level of service designed to make your move as seamless as possible.
We’ve shown you how to pack military style.
Now, let us help you move with military precision. If you’d like to know more about our services, call us at 866-226-1441 or get a quote from our team online.
July 12, 2022
Will the Military Pay to Move My Spouse (And Other Important Questions About Military Moving)
Being an active military member comes with many challenges, one of which is frequent relocation. Military members get the order to start fresh in another place every few years. If they are married or have children, their families move with them.
But if this is your first military move, you might wonder, “What is the process of moving my wife to my duty station?”
Another essential question military members might be asking is, “Will the military pay to move my spouse?” Military moves can be complicated, but knowing more about how the process works can make it less stressful for the entire military family.
Why Do Military Families Move?
Joining the military means being prepared to have your life uprooted every two to four years, and sometimes more frequently.
This move is called a permanent change of station or, more commonly, PCS. There are various reasons why military members get the orders to move.
Usually, a new rank will require additional education or training. Therefore, the military member must be moved to another base, where these resources are available.
Upon completing the training and reaching their goals, the military may choose to order another PCS so they can fill a vacancy in another place, given their newly gained skills.
While the frequent military family moving may seem strange or unnecessary to civilians, the military always has a reason to move their personnel across the country and overseas.
Apart from the practical and logistical reasons the military requires its members to relocate, it’s also a matter of resilience. While often uncomfortable, the moves tend to foster adaptability and keep the military members more acquainted with change.
Learning to adjust more quickly to PCS moves is more likely to prepare active-duty members for temporary duty assignments.
Finally, the military may have reasons to order PCS moves for reasons they are not going to disclose and are related to national security.
Will the Military Pay to Move My Spouse?
The good news is that military spouses moving is covered by the military, but there are some considerations to keep in mind. The military will reimburse the spouse relocation during the PCS move as long as the spouses live in the same home and are leaving from the same location.
If a military member’s spouse lives in another city or state but wishes to come to the new PCS, they must finance it out of pocket.
It’s also imperative to point out that if a military member got married before getting new PCS orders but hasn’t filed the marriage certificate, their spouse’s name won’t be on the next PCS order.
Therefore, they’ll need to pay for the trip themselves. These rules may seem unfair to newlyweds or military members with spouses not currently living with them, but the military has strict rules about PCS moves.
When Can My Wife Move on Base With Me?
This is another commonly asked question for new military members. While the military supports and encourages spouses to live together on the base, there are exceptions.
A military wife or husband cannot live on the base while their spouse is in basic training. The soldiers must live in army barracks, and their family members can choose to live nearby or far away. Either way, they will only be allowed to see the recruit on the family day and graduation.
During the advanced individual training or AIT, military members have more freedom, and in some instances, depending on the training duration, the spouses can join them on the base.
Once the military member gets their first duty station, their families can join them, with the exception of some overseas locations.
Types of PCS Moves
Regarding the budget and paying for the moves, it’s imperative to know precisely about entitlements and duties. Once you receive PCS orders, planning and organizing the move can start.
This process entails making many decisions, and the first is whether to choose a household goods (HHG) or a personally procured move (PPM).
The HHG move is the best choice for those who don’t really want to deal with the hassle of the move and are comfortable with leaving the entire job to the Department of Defense (DOD.)
The military is partnered with several moving companies that have undergone rigorous vetting and guarantee excellent results. These moving companies have the General Services Administration (GSA) approval to move military members across the country.
The PPM is another way to go, and it’s the option most military families prefer. As the name implies, you are in charge of procuring the moving company and organizing everything regarding the move.
The military will reimburse up to 95% of what the HHG move would cost, and the military members are entitled to keep the difference. It’s not uncommon for the PPM to result in savings, though that greatly depends on the circumstances.
The Best Ways to Prepare for Military Family Moving
If you’ve chosen a PPM, preparing well for what’s ahead is imperative. No matter how many times a military member goes through a PPM, there’s never a foolproof way to approach the move.
Staying flexible and anticipating anything is the best way to avoid too much stress. After receiving PCS orders, military families sometimes have weeks to prepare for the move, but sometimes they have to act more swiftly. Approaching the PPM without panic is crucial.
After establishing that rule, it’s best to move on to the purge and declutter phase of moving. One of the benefits of relocating frequently is that you often closely examine your belongings and determine what you really need. It’s the right time to sell, donate, or throw away items you don’t want to bring to the new post.
The second but very important step is to make a budget. The military will reimburse the relocation expenses, but you still need to pay for any outstanding bills associated with the home you’re currently living in.
Searching for a reliable moving company is probably one of the most significant elements in preparing for the military family moving. You can reach out to one of the GSA-approved companies but request a PPM.
On the other hand, you can conduct thorough research, consider your needs and the budget, and find the best moving company for your situation.
There are several important factors to consider when hiring a moving company specializing in military family moving.
- Pricing
- Military discounts
- Truck sizes
- Car shipping
- Packing and unpacking
- Debris removal
- Storage space
- Customer service
- GPS tracking
- State availability
- Free quotes
- Reputation
This list is not exhaustive, but it’s an excellent start as you prepare for a military spouse moving.
Effects of Moving on Military Families
It’s no secret that moving is stressful, whether you’re a member of the military or a civilian. Indeed, there might be some exhilaration about the idea, too.
But for the most part, completely changing homes and surroundings every few years or less can be disorienting, especially for children.
The military member getting the PCS orders may experience the move differently, as they knew what they were signing up for when they enlisted. To a certain extent, military spouses know what they’re getting into as well. However, they might also find losing connections they’ve made in a particular town or city difficult. The situation is even more complicated if the military spouse has a job they must abandon during the PCS move.
The effects of moving on military families can vary, but getting used to a new environment is always a challenge. Again, it’s the children that feel these effects the most. The frequent moving leads to disruptions that can cause stress and mental health issues.
These are some of the problems that children of military members face.
- Adjusting to the new home, school, neighborhood, weather, and routines.
- Students doing sports may miss team tryouts and not get included in athletic programs.
- Gaining acceptance in school is much more difficult when you’re always the new kid.
- Experiencing the loss of close relationships in a previous location.
Bear in mind that each person is unique, and children may experience specific problems which could be difficult for them to express.
Military Spouse Moving and Employment
As a military spouse, moving to a new place can be scary for many different reasons. Losing a job they love can be a big part of it. Indeed, looking for another job in a brand new location can seem overwhelming. Choosing a job that allows them to work from home often seems like the best solution.
Still, that’s not always possible, nor is it what everyone wants. The military is aware of this challenge and has implemented certain resources to help with the moving process.
The DOD’s Spouse Education & Career Opportunities program is an excellent starting point. This program allows military spouses to seek specific education and licenses and learn about different career paths.
It’s a phenomenal resource for finding a job as it offers more than 500 companies with employment partnerships with the military.
It’s also very important to point out that in 2017, Congress ordered the DOD to reimburse personal license fees of up to $1,000 to military spouses.
You need to have the proof that you’ve already paid for the certificate and have a copy of signed PCS orders to get the reimbursement from the DOD.
FAQs
When to Start Planning for the PCS Move?
Whether you’re planning an HHG or PPM, starting as early as possible is always the best policy. Even if you have years of experience with PCS moves, a lot can change quickly, so it’s important to leave room for flexibility.
Are There Items You’re Not Allowed to Bring During Military Family Moving?
You are allowed to bring most items from your household, but there are a few notable restrictions. Anything considered a hazardous material is not permitted.
That includes paint, gasoline, batteries, and cleaning supplies. Even if you’re taking your lawn mower along, you’ll need to remove the gasoline from it before it can go in the truck.
Another relevant detail to keep in mind is that the moving company can ship any firearm unless they’re on the excluded list. However, they are not permitted to transport ammunition, as they are categorized the same as gasoline and batteries.
Is Military Spouse Moving and Military Family Moving Expensive?
The thousands of PCS moves cost the military a fortune every year, whether they pay the moving partners or reimburse military members for PPMs.
The actual price tag varies depending on the company, the size of the household, and which services the movers provide. If it’s a local PCS, the price can range between $600 and 2,000, while a long-distance move could cost around $1,300 to $10,000.
What Is an OCONUS Move?
Most PCS moves are within the contiguous U.S. and are referred to as CONUS. However, some military members are relocated outside the contiguous U.S., including Hawaii, Alaska, and U.S. territories.
This type of PCS is called OCONUS. If you’re wondering, “Will the military pay to move my spouse OCONUS?” the answer is yes, it will.
Does the Military Pay for Pet Transport?
Unfortunately, the military does not pay for moving your pets to a new PCS. Depending on the situation, the cost of relocating your pets can add up, so it’s essential to do your research.
Because animal shelters around military bases have been reporting increased rates of animal surrender, the military has taken steps to address this issue.
They’ve partnered with the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals International (SPCA) and started the operation Military Pets. This program provides financial aid to families struggling to fund pet relocations.
Is Shipping Your Privately Owned Vehicle (POV) Reimbursed by the Military?
Unless it’s an OCONUS move, the military doesn’t pay for shipping your vehicle. And with the OCONUS move, the shipping is covered for only one car.
However, some exceptions may apply., Such as if you’re unable to make the drive due to medical reasons, you can submit a special request.
Reducing the Stress of Military Family Moving
Military families face many obstacles but can also thrive in numerous ways. Married military members can have their spouses move with them to a new location, and the military will reimburse their expenses as long as they’re already living together.
The military also provides many valuable resources for handling the new environment, and pursuing education or employment.
When it comes to the children, preparing them well for the changes will ease the blows caused by separating from friends and familiar surroundings.
A PCS move is less stressful when you have reliable movers doing the heavy lifting. Reach out to Military Movers to get a free quote today.
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July 4, 2022