How should I prepare for my first PCS move?

Ask to do a partial Do It Yourself move because you will get paid for transporting valuable things, documents, and life sustain necessities. If you have a truck all the better. I use to throw in my weights in the truck. It is not unethical because someone has to move them.

What is the nearest military transportation office for you? You will most likely coordinate through them for household transportation. They will walk you through the integral steps in this endeavor. Take pictures of furniture because they are notorious about saying good furniture is all scratched out.

When you go to post, go to Inbound Transportation to coordinate unloading your stuff. It will behoove of you to make many copies of your orders. Good luck!

Planning and research are essential to a smooth PCS. AHRN.com has a bunch of listings from various rental companies. I have been looking through AHRN for about a month now. Militaryonesource.com is also a good resource. USAA has a good PCS planner as well. Good luck on your future assignment and congratulations on your pending commission.

*edit to fix spelling, I find I really dislike RallyPoint on a government computer.

My recommendation for a PCS to the career course...
Only take to your new place what you need to be comfortable and place everything else in a storage facility near where you will be living. The PCS is so short, that it isn't worth it to unpack it all ony to turn around and do it again 5m later. Pick out everything you want ahead of tkme and have the packers pack & label them clearly so you know what goes in the house & the storage. it will save you time and frustration later on.

Network. By this I mean lean on your friends and family to help the move go smoothly in terms of packing and moving. Communication is key when formulating a primary, alternate and tirciary plan for a smooth transition for your children. ACS and MWR are great resources to lean on as well outside of the FRG.

Per your PCS: I went back and forth from CONUS to Germany. Never ship things, move things, that you can purchase at your new station--toasters, coffee makers, small things. Folding chairs, card tables, the little things that cost little to replace. Have a yard sale or donate them to the lending closet on post. I always bought new drinking glasses, etc. Give them to your mom or some one you know. Travel light. Think outside of the box. There were always lower enlisted I found to give things to or who would buy a set of Coral for $5. I always brought more back from Germany than I took--always was promoted with a larger baggage allowance...keep that in mind. For furniture, there is the old saying, 1 move pretty good, 2nd move, not so good, 3rd move you have had a house fire. So, Travel Light. Move yourself if you know how to pack---IF YOU KNOW HOW TO PACK.

Purchase at least 25 x 18g, 19g or 21 gallon and a few 42g STERILTE caissons/totes...I have 0ver 40, 25 of which are actually the 42 gallon size. You can stack them 6-high, use them for a temporary bed or furniture, they are rot proof water prof rat proof...They are worth the investment. Wrap everything in paper towels for later use. Mark them with a black marker..."2015.05.27-1" make a list of what is in it, seal it with Gorilla tape. Leave a copy of the list in the crate/ tote/ caisson and have a copy in your 3- ring binder.

Heading to Mother Rucker, I would have loved that assignment. Are you moving from a college type apartment, or a dorm room? If you're making the move yourself with a uhaul van, make sure you have the truck weighed empty before you load it, and again after it's loaded. Keep all of your receipts from the trip, including gas receipts. If you are having the military move you, inventory everything yourself, take pictures of furniture, appliances, knick knacks before they are packed. This will help if you have to file a claim for damaged items. If you are letting the military move you, keep aside all items that you will have an immediate need for when you get to Rucker, and your domicile.

No disrespect intended to any Army Soldiers, but this is how Marines prepare for a PCS move.
1. Get your Orders;
2. Pick up your SRB & Pay Records;
3. Get your Travel Pay;
4. Turn in any weapons to your armorer;
5. Stuff all your shit in your seabag;
6. Hoist your seabag on your shoulder and move out !
7. (Optional) Stop and see your folks & family if ya have any.

I haven't been to MOTHER Rucker in 20+ years ... But my roommate and I had an apartment between Daleville and Hartford. It was nice. I wouldn't even know who to put you in contact with about housing. OBQ billets were nice/modern though compared to my barracks.

LT Hastings,
I was stationed at Fort Rucker Alabama with a very small Infantry Detachment and I must say that was one of the very best places I have ever been assigned to in my career. One of the things that really impressed me was the civilians that worked in various departments on post. No matter where you went, they went out of their way to help you. The atmosphere on post was relaxed. They used to call Fort Rucker "The People's Post". There are several great small cities around Fort Rucker ( Dadeville, Enterprise, Ozark, & Dothan ). Panama City Florida ( The Beach ) is only about 72 miles away. I lived on post at the post trailer park. I don't think they have that any more.
I think you will really enjoy this assignment and it will be a good place for you to get your feet "wet". Congratulations. Stay safe.