How does moving in the military work?

2018-07-16T13:38:37-04:00

My wife and I are PCSing from North Carolina to Washington. I understand that travel will take care of our house hold belonging, but I am more interested in finding out what happens to my wife's and my vehicles. I really don't want to spend the $1,000 just yet to have someone ship one of them over to Washington State. If I decide to drive both of them out there, will the military compensate me for the miles and expenses? What might be the cheapest option for moving both of them out there?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 16 at 2018 1:48 PM

2018-07-16T13:48:57-04:00

What do your orders say about moving household goods and vehicles? Did you ask the transportation office?

Response by SFC Marc W. made Jul 16 at 2018 2:00 PM

2018-07-16T14:00:03-04:00

Typically you can get mileage for 2 vehicles that you are driving. If you get assigned overseas, then you can only ship 1 at gov. expense.

Response by SSG Shavonde Chase made Jul 16 at 2018 2:05 PM

2018-07-16T14:05:35-04:00

Many of us can answer this; however, I recommend that you contact your transportation office. Which post are you located?

Response by LT Brad McInnis made Jul 16 at 2018 2:11 PM

2018-07-16T14:11:46-04:00

Check your orders, or have a personnel type explain what you are allowed. When I was in, I towed one car with the other, and the next move had one shipped. They each have their pros and cons (should have some experience towing going through mountains and such). Sometimes, you can get your orders amended if need be.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Jul 16 at 2018 2:36 PM

2018-07-16T14:36:58-04:00

First of all there is a limit to the weight of HHG, you need to ensure you get that and transportation also has a way to estimate your weight. As for vehicles unless you have a very large family the Army pats you to ship one, the other is on you. I promise that the few hundred bucks it takes to ship a car (provided you have it) is well worth the stress it takes to travel with two cars. Also look into partial Ditty move which helps you with must have items while waiting for your HHG. You can rent a trailer and to weigh the car and trailer empty then load them up with all your gear and re-weigh. There is more, just get in to see transportation. Thank you for your service.

Response by SGT Tony Clifford made Jul 16 at 2018 5:25 PM

2018-07-16T17:25:22-04:00

Check with your NCOs and the travel office. You might be able to do a partial do it yourself move. This would give you both a per diem and mileage pay. Again, ask your supervisor and post travel office before you do anything.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 16 at 2018 7:30 PM

2018-07-16T19:30:52-04:00

This is what they will cover when you go to your levy brief. They'll discuss the options and you'll tell them your intentions. For the moving portion you'll go on move.mil to start your PCS counseling.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 17 at 2018 6:28 PM

2018-07-17T18:28:39-04:00

Military will only move your vehicle for you if it's a move from CONUS to OCONUS and vica versa. You can do what I did and make some money...
Weigh both cars as if you were driving both of them, empty and full. Pack them and make them heavy so you can be compensated for moving so much stuff so it looks partial DITY move. Then you try and find the cheapest person to move your car for you, I moved mine from JBLM all the way down to Ft. Stewart for about $900. Then when you start your drive across the country, you save all your receipts like normal and get to your unit. Once you start in-processing at your next unit, bring you weight tickets for both vehicles and submit them. It looks like you traveled with both cars when in reality you only drove one. Should get a decent chunk of money back. Hope this helps.

Response by SSG Mark Franzen made Jul 20 at 2018 11:24 PM

2018-07-20T23:24:16-04:00

check with your local transportation office and see if you get paid mileage?

Response by Lt Col Charlie Brown made May 9 at 2020 3:12 PM

2020-05-09T15:12:43-04:00

You need to talk to the Transportation office. If you are dual military as you indicated, you may each be able to ship or drive one/ship one vehicles.