Posted on Aug 18, 2014
Have you PCS'd so many times that you can share moving tips to the new service members?
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The military has mastered the art of the household move. In general, it is not considered normal by civilians to move every couple of years, yet for us it is/was second nature. What is your secret to success when it comes to "that time of the year"? Have you gotten your household goods down to half of your allowed weight or are your family treasures rapidly "deployable" at a moment's notice? Does your "SOP" bring out the turmoil or is it effective? And for bragging rights, who here has moved the most?
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LTC (Join to see)
SSG Unger...there has been a change to the professional gear allowance. I am not 100% smart on it, but certain items (regluations, books, etc) are no longer considered professional gear. Items we draw from CIF still are. You should be updated when you do your travel counseling.
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9 PCS moves. I have a SOP somewhere for my family. Take all valuables with you. The movers will lose family pictures and other important documents.
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CPT Jacob Swartout
I do partial DITY moves just to know that we have our wedding/family pics still with us. Our friends lost theirs and can't get some of their pictures replaced. Lost memories from that one PCS move that they can't get back again. I'll be moving this year sometime so that will make it ten!!!!!
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8 moves (that I remember) in 17 years as an Army Brat
3 moves while in college(s)/pre-commissioning training
11 (so far) in my 22 years of Active Service (7 with my wife!)
Lessons Learned:
-do your own inventory with pictures and/or video to show not only what you have, but also the condition
-clean up; don't let movers pack/move stuff that should not go with you, including trash, etc
-keep valuables and important papers separate (in a spare room/closet/bathroom) marked "DO NOT PACK"
-if you are having them pack valuables, pay attention to how and where they are packed)
-organize your things in the rooms/drawers/closets you want it packed together; packers will combine, but being organized makes it easier for them to pack and you to find everything in the same set of boxes at the new place
-know what is and what is not "pro-gear" for both the service member and the spouse and organize it together so it gets packed together (rules keep changing, we moved 3 times in two years and each time it was different)
-keep cleaning supplies/vacuum/mop, etc out for last if you are cleaning your house before you leave
-get rid of unused or 'extra' things; use the PCS process to purge!
-know your weight limits as well as what you have; if it has been a while, this may be tricky, but after a move, keep the bill of lading, and then just estimate what you added or subtracted to your stuff for the next move (we had two movers try to charge for excess weight, but since we knew our weight from previous moves, we made them re-weigh before delivery - we were right!)
-do as much DITY as you can (we have done DITY for 4-5000lbs before)
-have cold water for the packers/movers, and offer them a meal if it will help with their timing (we have never had anyone turn down either bottled water, or lunch)
-keep track of the numbered stickers (and colors) used by the movers to mark your things
-carefully review the inventory list, make sure everything is legible, and ask questions on anything you don't understand
-don't stress!
3 moves while in college(s)/pre-commissioning training
11 (so far) in my 22 years of Active Service (7 with my wife!)
Lessons Learned:
-do your own inventory with pictures and/or video to show not only what you have, but also the condition
-clean up; don't let movers pack/move stuff that should not go with you, including trash, etc
-keep valuables and important papers separate (in a spare room/closet/bathroom) marked "DO NOT PACK"
-if you are having them pack valuables, pay attention to how and where they are packed)
-organize your things in the rooms/drawers/closets you want it packed together; packers will combine, but being organized makes it easier for them to pack and you to find everything in the same set of boxes at the new place
-know what is and what is not "pro-gear" for both the service member and the spouse and organize it together so it gets packed together (rules keep changing, we moved 3 times in two years and each time it was different)
-keep cleaning supplies/vacuum/mop, etc out for last if you are cleaning your house before you leave
-get rid of unused or 'extra' things; use the PCS process to purge!
-know your weight limits as well as what you have; if it has been a while, this may be tricky, but after a move, keep the bill of lading, and then just estimate what you added or subtracted to your stuff for the next move (we had two movers try to charge for excess weight, but since we knew our weight from previous moves, we made them re-weigh before delivery - we were right!)
-do as much DITY as you can (we have done DITY for 4-5000lbs before)
-have cold water for the packers/movers, and offer them a meal if it will help with their timing (we have never had anyone turn down either bottled water, or lunch)
-keep track of the numbered stickers (and colors) used by the movers to mark your things
-carefully review the inventory list, make sure everything is legible, and ask questions on anything you don't understand
-don't stress!
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