Should the weight limitations for a PCS move be determined by Pay Grade or by the amount of dependents a Soldier has?

2016-01-20T17:18:37-05:00

For example, an E-3 with three dependents is allowed 8,000 lbs while an E-7 with one dependent is allowed 13,000 lbs. Do you think that's fair? Or should the E-3 that has more dependents get a higher allowed weight of home goods for a PCS move?

Response by LTC Paul Labrador made Jan 20 at 2016 5:26 PM

2016-01-20T17:26:57-05:00

It should be based on rank AND the number of dependents. Remember, allowances are based on the average E-3 and E-7, not your special case outliers. With your example, that same E-7 is in all likelihood older, more well established and simply has more stuff than your typical E-3, who in most cases is between 18-21 and likely put all of his belonging in a duffle bag.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Jan 20 at 2016 5:32 PM

2016-01-20T17:32:28-05:00

To be fair, that same E7 could have 9 dependents and still get 13,000 pounds. It's not the NUMBER of dependents, it's the fact that you have dependents that count.

http://www.move.mil/documents/dod/Weight_Allowance_Table_JTR.pdf

There are assumptions made that as you progress in rank, you have more (or heavier) stuff, because frankly you have more disposable income. There is no assumption made that you have more dependents, nor should there be.

Now, if you look at the E1-3 jump from without dependents to with, you will see it is $3000, whereas the E7 only gets $2000. (E4-E6 are on a "sliding scale"). Generally speaking, your rank pays your more of a benefit, but the dependent does not. The E1-E3 is an outlier.

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Jan 20 at 2016 5:48 PM

2016-01-20T17:48:26-05:00

You were not issued dependents, nor were they a requirement to enter service. HHG movement at GOV expense is a benefit. With career progression comes more benefits. Like anything else worth having in life you must earn it. ...

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jan 20 at 2016 6:32 PM

2016-01-20T18:32:45-05:00

Right or wrong rank has its privileges to include total compensation.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 20 at 2016 9:49 PM

2016-01-20T21:49:15-05:00

Part of it is the mandatory furniture items you are required to buy at certain duty stations as you advance in your career. For example, if you are assigned to Germany, you are obligated to buy a 1000 pound shrunk. German houses don't normally have closets, so everybody buys a monsterous shrunk that looks normal size in the furniture store, but takes up your entire living room when you get it home. Nothing makes a movers day like unloading a military guy coming to the states from Germany, when he sees the five piece shrunk of solid teak, including a 90 degree corner to be assembled including internal shelf lighting.

I'm pretty sure the shrunk actually is mandatory, as I have never visited the house of someone who was stationed in Germany that didn't have one consuming an entire room in their house. Throw in a few nutcracker soldiers on the shelves and you're wunderbar! :)

I'm sure other duty stations have their obligatory furniture item as well, hence the need for a larger allowance. ;)