The thought of packing goods and moving to a new location every once in a while isn’t something an ordinary person anticipates in their life. But unfortunately, it is a reality for every active-duty military personnel and their family members. Military PCS are pretty common – individuals in the military are not immune to these moves. The fact is an average military service member moves once every two to four years.
The military individuals often receive a terse notice compelling them to pack their possessions and relocate to an entirely new place. Moving is already a daunting process for adults, who need to manage all their belongings, settle themselves in a new base and community. And, for children, the academic, emotional, and mental repercussions can leave a significant impact.
If this happens to be your first PCS move, you might be apprehensive about the whole process and wonder how you will get through it. While PCS moves can be highly complex, a little planning in advance can make the military moves go without any hiccups.
Ahead, we have rounded up some tips that can help you make a smooth transition instead of a headache-inducing one:
Gather information
Military moves encompass thousands of minute details, from paperwork and weight limitations to logistics and pre-approvals. And since the nature of every move is different, it’s crucial to gather as much information as possible.
Therefore, first and foremost, get in touch with the transportation office. Ensure that your names are present on the PCS orders. And once done with it, search for the moving companies that will help you relocate to a new base.
If you are in the throes of finding the best movers for relocation moving, take help from reliable online resources.
Know your military entitlements
Serving your country is undeniably a great sacrifice. However, being a military service member has its perks, too. And these go beyond the fringe benefits of healthcare and retirement.
For instance, if you have certain heavy boxes that won’t fit in your car trunks or the moving trucks, you can ship these bulky boxes to your new location. Likewise, you possess the right to ask the movers to unpack your belongings and reorganize them in your new residence on the delivery day.
However, be mindful of the weight limitations as well. These limitations are contingent upon the ranks of the military members and the number of family members they have. Again, contact the transportation office to thoroughly learn about your military rights and the entitlements to leverage them.
Create a moving binder
While you may aim for minimalization when packing your belongings; however, paperwork is of paramount importance during PCS moves. It doesn’t matter if it’s your first PCS move or you are a seasoned one, always create a moving binder that contains all the crucial documents.
The binder must include photocopies of social security cards, passports, marriage and birth certificates, power of attorney, mortgage and insurance documents, and rental agreements.
Also, label the binder and place it in an isolated space. That way, you can keep the critical documents out of the reach of movers and mitigate any chances of losing them during the moving upheaval.
Avoid peak season
There’s no denying that the summer months are the busiest time of the year, specifically from Memorial Day to the first week of July. School holidays, the sunny weather, and the availability – all of these make the perfect time for moving.
Therefore, try to avoid this peak moving season. If it’s possible for you, decide to move mid-month. That way, you can find a date that sits well with your timeline, quickly get access to moving trucks, and save plenty of cash.
However, if you find it hard to avoid these summer months, try to be flexible. The requested pickup times may vary, and unexpected events can occur.
Show some appreciation to movers
As soon as the movers set foot in your home, the place will officially become a work region. The movers will heave your belongings and transport them to the trucks. During these times, it might get tempting for you to watch and nitpick every single detail excessively. However, micromanaging and breathing down your mover’s neck will only worsen things and lead to further stress.
Thus, be appreciative and express your gratitude for the movers who pour in so much effort to make your military move a successful transition.
Final Words
A military PCS move is undoubtedly a daunting and tiring process. It’ll take time for you to get your home fully furnished, make new friends, vet schools, and settle back into routine life. But, on the brighter side? It’s also one of the few luxuries. After all, you will most likely visit different corners of the world, ones you have never been to before, and get a chance to experience adventures.
And with every PCS move, you will figure out new and innovative ways to purge, pack your belongings, and organize paperwork. What’s more? A military move-out will guide you on which base offices to visit and how to set priorities post-arrival.
Therefore, follow the tips discussed above to get through the whole moving process swimmingly. And once done with the chaos of moving, not only will you have some of the entertaining stories to share. You will also become a pro at moving and packing.
