Who do I talk to in order to arrange for shipping my car to the Phase 2 location for a 68C reclass?

SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 03 Apr 2019 19:21:44 -0400

Hello,

I started on HHG today so I am not rushing after phase 1 and I can concentrate just on that. I asked if it was possible to ship my vehicle over to my phase 2 location (from Bliss to Lewis), and they told me they don't do it unless I have a special situation, including not having enough days to drive.
We stay on post and I will have 6 days from phase 1 to phase 2, so I am coming back to get my wife and go over to Lewis, we have 2 pets and would really like to fly there if possible since we have a compact and driving 26 hours with a cat and a dog in a small space seems like a challange.
Has anyone shipped their car to their phase 2 location, and if so who did you talk to arrange this.
Would this situation count as not having enough time to drive, or would I need to make the drive?

Thank you very much

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 3 at 2019 7:23 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 03 Apr 2019 19:23:27 -0400

You can always pay out of pocket. Or sell your POV and buy another one when you get to Lewis...

Response by SFC Casey O'Mally made Apr 3 at 2019 8:02 PM

SFC Casey O'Mally — Wed, 03 Apr 2019 20:02:43 -0400

Fort Bliss to Fort Lewis is 1,729 miles. According to Joint Federal Travel Reg (unless it has updated in the last 3 years), you can travel 350 miles in one day, with an additional 50 miles on the first OR last day. With that calculation, in 5 days you can travel 1800 miles. End state is that according to the Army, it is a 5-day trip. 6 days is more than 5, so there is very little chance you will be allowed to ship a POV at government expense. The entire reason you have 6 days between the two is so that you CAN drive. Classes are set up to feed each other, and travel time is calculated. You have one extra day to get your affairs in order, and to arrive a day prior so you have a chance to get things in place prior to the start of class. The timing of this is not coincidental. The expectation is that you drive - which also means the Army will likely not pay for airfare, either, at least not anything above and beyond the cost of mileage they would give you.

I know this sounds harsh, but the Army REALLY doesn't give a damn about your pets. They also don't care whether you are driving a compact or a pick-up. Those are personal decisions which have no bearing on the Army's funding or timing.

If you like your car, but don't want to drive with 2 animals, consider shipping the animals - it will probably be cheaper than shipping a POV. There are some pretty reputable companies that do this. You could also have your wife fly with the animals, and you drive by yourself. At the end of the day, though, you are going to have to A) drive there, B) ship your POV (EXPENSIVE, especially if you are doing that on top of paying for airfare for you, your wife, and your two pets), C) sell your car.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 3 at 2019 8:39 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 03 Apr 2019 20:39:37 -0400

The advice that has been given already is pretty much your only options. The Army will not pay to ship your vehicle from state to state. They will only pay to ship OCONUS and back.

Response by SSG Brian G. made Apr 3 at 2019 10:00 PM

SSG Brian G. — Wed, 03 Apr 2019 22:00:31 -0400

The Army is not going to ship your car. You have 6 days from Phase I to Phase II. The distance is 1728 miles. You say 26 hours driving, ok, you could make that in 2 days of driving with driving 4 hours, taking a break, then driving another 4 and taking a break then driving another 4. Use a pet recommended travel drug for the pets and it won't be a problem. Cheaper than flying and costs you only gas, food & water and maybe 2 hotel stays and you still have several days on the backend once you get there.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 3 at 2019 10:09 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 03 Apr 2019 22:09:36 -0400

They don’t ship vehicles except to conus. Doesn’t mean you can’t foot the bill. If it is in fact that important to you

Response by CW4 Craig Urban made Apr 3 at 2019 10:35 PM

CW4 Craig Urban — Wed, 03 Apr 2019 22:35:06 -0400

Transportation office. Or the post CSM.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 3 at 2019 10:41 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 03 Apr 2019 22:41:18 -0400

My best advice is to not move HHG until you are going to depart from phase 1. If Lewis is your phase 2 location, you are TDY en route to phase 2. If you are academically or non academically recycled, one of the drill sergeants will have to contact your losing installation to have your orders amended to take you to the new phase 2 site. If you don’t like the idea of your spouse making one long drive, see how they feel about making a second one after your orders get amended and get a second PCS in a matter of months. The 68C course has a significant failure rate. Don’t think that going to Lewis is guaranteed. Have you spouse stay put and list them as a releasing and receiving agent in move.mil. They can do most of the moving stuff while you focus on passing phase 1.

Response by SSG Lyle O'Rorke made Apr 3 at 2019 11:43 PM

SSG Lyle O'Rorke — Wed, 03 Apr 2019 23:43:52 -0400

You think doing a drive with a dog and cat like that is bad. Try the 1700 miles from eastern Oklahoma to Monterey with a 2 week old and a dog and cat. It’s doable may not be fun but definitely only a couple day drive taking breaks.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 17 at 2019 7:28 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 17 Apr 2019 19:28:01 -0400

I'm here at Lewis for phase 2, I drove from ft Sam to JBLM in 3 days with my wife, 2 dogs, and pulling a trailer. I was stationed at Eglin afb prior and shipped my hhg about midway through phase 1.