How should I prepare for my first PCS move?

Ensure you stop by finance to get your DLA. Dislocation Allowance!!! it is your money you just need to ask for it.

You can still do a DITY move if you want to...an easy way with a move of this distance to make a few bucks. Companies like Old Dominion Freight lines are great. A buddy of mine did the same move that I did from Fort Leavenworth, KS to JBLM, WA and pocketed about 8,500 and didn't have to drive a uhual. You pack how you want to, when you want to and then load it on the truck. They come pick it up and you tell them when and where you want it delivered within 45-60 days.

Otherwise, make sure that you pack what you need for a few weeks depending on the age of your kids, and make sure you file for a partial DITY. When the stuff is delivered have the kids with a sitter and have the moving company do a complete unpack, it is well worth it to catalog the damage as it gets there. Moves in the summer move season are a nightmare.

Last thing, take the parts box with you, nothing worse than not being able to put furniture together because the one box that was lost was the parts box.

Plan, plan, plan. Get to transportation as soon as you have your orders to set up your HHG shipment or to set up your personal procured move. After transportation, go see finance to get your travel pay squared away. Most of this should be brought up in your levy brief that you have to attend. If you haven't gone yet, talk to your chain of command. Most of your questions will be answered there.

For housing visit the AHRN websiite. also try military by owner. do they not do sponsors anymore? OKay that was the old military days.

If transition leave is still a valid option, you might consider putting in a request for it. I'm not sure what the length of transition leave can be, but it is non chargeable and does not take away from your accrued leave. Transition leave affords soldiers preparing for a move an opportunity to do some advance scouting for living arrangements prior to the actual PCS date. I used it many times, and since it was non chargeable, did not take away leave days. Check with your S-1 to see what the limitations are. Check in with the Post Housing office and they'll more than likely have a referral list. Take a copy of your orders with you because they will need to see them to offer you on post and off post housing assistance. Hope my blurb was helpful. Good luck with your PCS and with your upcoming assignment.

Pack what you are bringing with you and put it in your car, then throw away anything you no longer need or fit into, take pictures of everything you have and print them out and have the movers sign and write out damage points on the pics, make sure your list has everything on it and make a list of all items before they come to pack you out

First things First - check with your local base housing office, they can request perspective listings to fit your family at Ft Rucker and, outside of the unauthorized areas. The MWR/ACS might be able to help you with school information on/around Ft Rucker.

In all my moves as my father's defendant, added to my personal PCSs, I'll add this:
1) Is DA moving you, or are you moving yourself?
1a) This is important because you will not be able to have Kitchen Condiments, Spices, liquids (Milk, Alcohol, cleaning products), no weapons or ammo ect.
If you move yourself you can transport all of these items vs. a DA move where unauthorized items cannot be shipped you could incur an average cost from $100 - $200 worth of unplanned expenses to replace upon your arrival.
2) Pictures of high dollar items with serials numbers and any personal markings.
2a) My way not necessarily the right way; if you choose a DA move which is less back-braking try to set aside fund to replace any unauthorized items.
3) Some items that are extremely important or sentimental that you are unable to carry personally ... you can consider sending by USPS/UPS/FeDex
4) If you are moving your self try to locate weights on both sides that are open 24hrs or with extremely earlier late hours.
4a) You will be required to weigh your vehicle at departure empty - full upon arrival full - empty
5) Other items of concern you might want to pack yourself first; however, some shipping company still may have you open or repack that specific box (due to insurance issue).
6) If not done by packers mark your boxes Kitchen/Living Room/Bedroom 1/Bedroom 2/Master Bedroom/etc..
(Unless contracts have changed between DA & Shipping Companies)
7) The packers are suppose to to unpack you on arrival and remove all boxes and packing materials. (But some will, some won't unless asked, and others won't do it at all)

Sorry if I got your head spinning, but you will get a transportation briefing (Make Appointment As Soon As Possible After Receiving Hard Copy of Orders) covering all over your paper work - if moving yourself PLEASE pay attention to ALL of the paper work.
The Transportation Office, Housing Office, MWR, and ACS can help you through all of this on your current location to Ft Rucker. Every Base has a general web site that have POCs for these offices too.

There are several areas near Fort Rucker. I would advise tof either look for a home in enterprise, or Dothan they are about 15-20 minutes away. On post is ok but the cities of Ozark and Daleville are the closest, however very small. Cost of living is very cheap and in all everything is quiet. Your only an hour and a half from the beach. Just Google and you will find a nice spot.

Well, before you consider where you want to live, I would suggest you find out where you will be working at. Despite being assigned to Fort Rucker, you could also wind up working at Cairns Army Air Base in Daleville, AL. It's just a few miles outside the Daleville gate. Knowing where you will be working will help you narrow down more logical choices in regards to distance, rates and amenities. I personally live in Daleville considering I work out of both Rucker and Cairns. Just remember, in this area, the old saying does apply, you get what you pay for. Be prepared to travel a bit if you want to get out and do much of anything though regardless of where you decide to rent.

I went there for UAV training. It is a beautiful place. There are lots of trees. If you like running outside, there are plenty of places to stretch your legs and run.

Take pictures of EVERYTHING and get replacement insurance because they will break your stuff and then give you a pittance for what it costs to replace it. Also, if you have anything sentimental, hide it in your POV while the movers are there. They do steal. They took some of my jewelry but the most painful thing they took was my deceased daughter's ring. You can't replace some things.

Check the Housing office at your new base to see if they have a black list of off base housing that you are not allowed to rent because the land lord has done some unscrupulous things to the military.

Dothan is a nice place to live and it's about 20-30 min from Rucker. Enterprise is also real close to Rucker, about 10-15 min.

Make checklist for utilities (on both sides of the PCS). develop a plan with calendar the covers every event (packing, move, utility disconnect, change of address notification). Stick to the plan and pack the good scotch very carefully.

I recommend doing the move yourself. I'm always wary of other people packing and handling my belongings and going where it's supposed to, especially after some of the horror stories I've heard. This way in the end you can't get upset at somebody else for your belongings missing or becoming damaged. Choosing a place is a bit trickier if you don't already know someone familiar with the area. I was fortunate enough to know a friend who recommended a good location for me. Do some online research of the surrounding areas and try to get with your gaining unit sponsor for advice on good housing locations. Good luck

As with most of these questions, much depends upon the detail that have not been provided, but a PCS move is a move. If you are young and single, as it appears, I would not be in a great rush to do anything. Get there and get a feel for what you want.

If you are looking for a good place - check http://www.militarybyowner.com/ for listings. The housing office there at Ft Rucker should have listings for apartments as well as places there in Enterprise to say away from. I don't think Enterprise is as ate up with crime as say Montgomery is. Good luck on your assignment and be prepared for the nasty hot southern weather.

First, go to your local finance office and make sure that you receive a briefing to make sure that you understand all of your entitlements associated with a PCS. Next go to you local TMO (Traffic Management Office) and do the same regarding you household goods. Then make sure that your personnel office has done their job regarding your orders and that they do it in a timely manner. With regard to your move, make a good inventory of everything and take photos and videos of all high value items, because when you file the claim you will then have good documentation regarding your belongings. Good Luck to you.

If you will be a flight school student, I would recommend Enterprise. It is close enough and a little more to offer. They have some pretty nice town houses, apartments (check these out as some are not good at all) and many houses for rent. Dothan is fine but a long drive for early am flight briefs or late night returns. I am very familiar with Enterprise and the wiregrass region if you would like more information.

http://www.city-data.com/city/Fort-Rucker-Alabama.html

http://www.dalevilleal.com/home/

Let the military move you - pack things you are going to need to sustain you for a couple of weeks. If you are driving to your new location pack up your car. This is the perfect time to clean out the closet etc. get rid of that stuff you don't need. Research your new area - if your base offers a "Sponsor" program get a sponsor they can help you before you get there and then when you get there. The 2 sites attached one is city-data and the other is Chamber of Commerce. you can find a realtor there/

Good luck and congrats!