![\"PCSing](\"https:\/\/militarymovers.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/PCSing-to-Alaska-02.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
Fort Wainwright has the largest training facility, and many Army personnel end up there for long stretches.<\/p>\n
But whether you\u2019re planning to PCS to Fort Wainwright, Alaska, or another military installation, there\u2019s a lot you need to know about relocating to the coldest region of the North American continent.<\/p>\n
Know the Methods of Transport<\/h2>\n
You can move to Alaska by car, ferry, plane, or a combination of all three. It depends on your departure location and destination. Another factor influencing transport is the time of the year. The weather can make PCSing to Alaska difficult between May and August.<\/p>\n
While this may not matter much to you, the weather also affects moving companies. If you have to ship your belongings during severe winter conditions, it\u2019s best to pay a premium and hire the best moving company in the region.<\/p>\n
Due to the weather conditions, moving furniture and household goods to Alaska demands enclosed trailers or shipping crates. This alone means that shipping costs are higher compared to other destinations.<\/p>\n
Prepare for the Weather<\/h2>\n
Active service members are usually physically fit and can adapt to new environments easier than civilians. That doesn\u2019t mean PCSing to Alaska is a walk in the park. For example, central Alaska has some of the worst weather due to frequent temperature fluctuations.<\/p>\n
You can get snow in the middle of May, have summer days with 90 degrees, and walk outside in -50 degrees weather during the winter. Adapting to these conditions can take a toll without mental and physical preparation and the right supplies.<\/p>\n
Know What Supplies to Take to Alaska<\/h2>\n
When PCSing to Alaska, Army personnel and military families realize that they must pack differently<\/a> than for other domestic or international relocations. First, you need quality winter clothing. You can\u2019t go everywhere in just your winter military uniform.<\/p>\n Secondly, it\u2019s best to stock up on winter clothing before arriving in Alaska. The state usually has higher living costs. Therefore, buying essentials, including weather-appropriate clothing, will save you more money.<\/p>\n Then, you should consider any household essentials and appliances. Getting merchandise to Alaska is hard, especially during the winter. You may find that many supplies are in limited inventory and the most essential comfort items sell quickly.<\/p>\n You must winterproof your vehicle if you\u2019re driving the family to Alaska and shipping your belongings with military movers. Take it to a shop and get a professional mechanic to inspect every nut and bolt.<\/p>\n It\u2019s vital to have a battery in good condition, plenty of antifreeze, working wipers, fresh oil, windshield fluid rated for Alaska temperatures, etc. You should probably get a set of tire chains and learn how to use them. You might need them by the time you make it to your new home.<\/p>\n PCSing to Alaska comes with some perks courtesy of the military branch you belong to. Part of your moving costs will be covered by the military. You can get reimbursement for lodging, mileage, transportation expenses, etc.<\/p>\n But figuring out your exact travel entitlements is crucial to plan an efficient budget. Not every member of the military has the same cargo weight allowance. In addition, weight allowances are per family, not for each dependent relocating with you.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s an updated list of PCS weight allowances for different ranks.<\/p>\n Remember that weight allowances can always change, and some branches may give extra weight allowance when PCSing with the entire family or dependents. But the increase in allowance is usually small.<\/p>\n However, getting clear on your weight allowance gives you a good idea of how much money you may have to pay out of pocket.<\/p>\n Updated weight allowance information for every rank is available on every official website of the four military branches. Alternatively, you can ask questions at the information office on the base.<\/p>\n Many military installations work with military movers. Alaska relocations can be managed by the military. That means you don\u2019t have to do anything other than pack, be on time, and report for duty. The military hires movers, arranges a schedule, and pays for the service.<\/p>\n It\u2019s often called an HHG move and is managed by a branch of the Department of Defense (DOD).<\/p>\n But that may not always be in your best interest when PCSing to Alaska. It\u2019s less stressful, but it can be expensive, rushed, and not always ideal.<\/p>\n Normally, you can get your weight allowance in hand and perhaps even an advance payment. This is more common when relocating over long distances.<\/p>\n Theoretically, you can keep any money left over from the move if you can arrange a moving deal that doesn\u2019t require your full allowance. Military bases typically don\u2019t have time to bargain hunt, negotiate, etc.<\/p>\n They usually find a good moving company and stick with them as long as they provide an efficient service. It doesn\u2019t mean they\u2019re always the best or cheapest<\/a>. But no military branch will force you to move with a specific company.<\/p>\n Nor will they deny you your weight allowance for choosing to hire movers yourself. Therefore, you could find a better deal and pocket some change to spend on other things after your relocation.<\/p>\n The relocation of military spouses is covered by all military branches. But there\u2019s something you should know before your PCS to Fort Wainwright, Alaska, or wherever you\u2019re final destination may be. The military only covers transportation and other relocation costs if you and your spouse live together and leave together.<\/p>\n If your spouse lives elsewhere or they\u2019re on a trip, the military won\u2019t cover their relocation expenses. Your spouse can still join you in Alaska but must finance their trip themselves.<\/p>\n Furthermore, you must ensure your paperwork is in order. Many military personnel get married before getting PCS orders. But if the marriage certificate isn\u2019t filled and registered in time, the spouse won\u2019t have a relocation allowance during the PCS move.<\/p>\n These regulations mostly affect newlyweds, unmarried couples, and couples living apart. That said, the military does a good job of controlling spending regarding PCS. And neither rule is too extreme. They\u2019re mostly common sense guidelines.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re PCSing to Alaska for the first time, there\u2019s a lot to learn about the process. Not even active service members who relocated multiple times know all the ropes, especially those who used HHG moves.<\/p>\n Therefore, there are a couple of things to know about what you can and can\u2019t move.<\/p>\n You can take pets with you to live on base, except if you\u2019re living in the barracks. However, you can\u2019t have more than two pets, and some bases restrict ownership of pets to certain breeds.<\/p>\n In addition, there\u2019s no military allowance for PCSing with pets. You must pay out of pocket. That\u2019s why handling your own move is a good idea. It can save money under the right set of circumstances, and that money can go toward relocating your pets.<\/p>\n Military movers approved by the DOD are generally licensed to transport firearms. However, owning specific guns and ammo is restricted even to active service members outside the base.<\/p>\n Your movers can tell you what they can and can\u2019t transport across state lines and how you must pack your weapons for safe and legal transport.<\/p>\n There\u2019s a long list of hazardous materials you won\u2019t be able to take with you when PCSing to Alaska. Gasoline, paint, and select cleaning supplies make a list. Surprisingly, batteries are also considered too hazardous for moving with other cargo.<\/p>\n Appliances and machinery that runs on gasoline must be empty before loading onto a moving truck. Motorcycles and vehicles should also have empty tanks if shipped on trailers.<\/p>\n Fortunately, an OCONUS move<\/a> like PCSing to Alaska entitles you to reimbursement on shipping a personal vehicle. However, the military doesn\u2019t cover expenses for more than one personal vehicle, so you must choose carefully.<\/p>\n Some military movers offer exclusive discounts to active service members, military spouses, veterans, etc. It\u2019s worth learning if you can benefit from this before choosing a moving company.<\/p>\n Since the military doesn\u2019t cover PCSing with pets, you need to set aside enough money to ensure your pets arrive safely and comfortably in their new home. If you don\u2019t go past the weight allowance limit for your rank, you can save some money to use on pet relocation.<\/p>\n However, if you\u2019re strapped for cash, you can try applying for a grant from the SPCA (Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals). The SPCA operates a non-profit department that helps military families relocate with their pets domestically and abroad.<\/p>\n Military movers can provide guidance on these topics and help you prepare more efficiently for PCS.<\/p>\nFigure Out Your Entitlements<\/h2>\n
\n
![\"Prepare](\"https:\/\/militarymovers.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Prepare-for-PCSing-to-Alaska.jpg\")
<\/p>\nConsider Hiring Movers Yourself<\/h2>\n
What to Do When PCSing to Alaska With a Spouse<\/h2>\n
Get Information From Military Movers<\/h2>\n
Pets<\/h3>\n
Firearms<\/h3>\n
Hazardous Materials<\/h3>\n
Shipping Your Personal Vehicle<\/h3>\n
Military Discounts<\/h3>\n
Grants<\/h3>\n
![\"Prepare](\"https:\/\/militarymovers.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Prepare-for-the-Move-to-Alaska.jpg\")
<\/p>\nBefore You Get Your Quote<\/h2>\n