Is there any way to get your orders to PCS early from MEPS?

Contact the Recruiter you worked with going Active Duty. See if they can get a hold of your Orders. If they can, and once you have them, hit up the Transportation Office on the nearest Active Military Base to schedule the pick up/shipment of your HHG. As for applying for base housing at your duty assignment, it has been my experience that you had to be present/BOG to apply. But, things are probably different now since my day of old.

Worst case scenario is you don't get the orders prior to, and only when you ship....you may have to make a POA specifically to have someone arrange for pick up/shipment of your goods.

My orders were cut that day.

I ended up doing a dity move. I got my orders went home and packed my apartment up and went on my way. When I got to my assignment they reimbursed me back and then some. It’s easier that way. You can’t get your orders early. You have to technically “ship” out like the IET soldiers. Only different is after you swear in again and get your paperwork you leave and they get on buses to the airport.