The Insider Guide to Surviving Military PCS Moves

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Moving is part of military life—like clockwork, every few years, we uproot our lives. Whether it’s a 3,000-mile journey to another country or a quick hop to another state, the challenge is always the same. We pack up kids, the furniture, and our memories to dowload to a new and unfamiliar place. The manual calls it a “Permanent Change of Station” or PCS move, but there’s nothing permanent about it. After countless moves, I’ve learned that no two relocations are the same, but there are key steps that make the process smoother. This guide PCS moves with practical tips and trusted resources to help you navigate your next relocation with less stress.

Table of Contents

1. Before the Move: Preparation is Key
2. During the Move: What You Need to Know
3. Handling Housing: On and Off Base Tips
4. After the Move: Settling In Smoothly
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6. Final Thoughts

Before the Move: Preparation is Key

PCS moves begin long before the movers arrive. As soon as you receive orders, preparation is everything. Start by organizing your paperwork, including orders, family documents, and any transportation requests. This guide PCS moves efficiently by encouraging you to research housing options, schools, and medical facilities before you go. The sooner you start, the smoother the transition will be.

During the Move: What You Need to Know

Moving day can feel overwhelming, but there are ways to stay on top of it all. Whether you’re driving across the country or flying overseas, keeping track of important items—like orders, IDs, and essentials—is critical. Military moves often require you to follow strict procedures for reimbursement and logistics, such as checking in with the Transportation Management Office (TMO) or adhering to weight limits. Stick to the rules and make sure all family members are listed on the paperwork to avoid issues.

Handling Housing: On and Off Base Tips

Finding the right place to live is one of the biggest decisions during a PCS. Start by registering with the Automated Housing Referral Network (AHRN.com), a Department of Defense resource. This site helps you find both on-base and off-base options. If you prefer off-base housing, ask for a list of pre-inspected, approved properties. Don’t forget to check essential details like lease terms, internet availability, and heating costs. Take your time—rushing into a contract based on aesthetics alone could lead to regrets down the road.

After the Move: Settling In Smoothly

Once you arrive, the first priority is finding permanent quarters. Whether you’re considering on-base or off-base housing, start your search early. Take time to visit potential homes, ask about local amenities, and make sure the space meets your needs. PCS moves can feel chaotic, but organizing your new life quickly—unpacking, setting up utilities, and registering for local services—helps you settle in smoothly. This guide PCS moves forward by helping you adjust with fewer hassles.

Final Thoughts

Our first PCS move was back in 1995. We moved into our first house after getting married in Colorado Springs. It was the first time we saw how his stuff looked bext to my stuff. Trust that when I say we had completely different styles, I really mean it. My hubby had the ugliest black panther on glass side tables I’ve seen. But I packed them up to our next duty station in Georgia without hesitation. Imagine my surprise when one arrived broken and sadly, we had to put it in the trash. But for three years, I dusted it, trying not to think about how ugly it was.

Three years passed and it was time to pack it up and PCS to Colorado again. So imagine my surprise when one of the panthers paws was was severed. I had to fain disappointment whike my insides were doing cartwheels.

A PCS in the military is like an adventure you didn’t sign up for. Each time, you’re saying goodbye to one chapter and diving headfirst into another, packing up not just boxes but pieces of your life. With each move, we’d watch our mix of furniture get battered by the journey, like that panther table that somehow made it through multiple moves (even when I secretly wished it wouldn’t).

Each PCS brings its own surprises — broken furniture, lost items, and sometimes, unexpected laughs. It teaches you to be flexible, to let go, and to adapt to new spaces with what you have (and what’s left standing). That black panther? It might have been ugly, but it survived right along with us, reminding me that no PCS is complete without a little chaos — and a lot of resilience.

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