Military Moving Tips
20 hard-earned lessons from service members who've done this many times, covering HHG (Household Goods) protection, entitlements, housing, and keeping your family sane through PCS (Permanent Change of Station) season.
Be present on pack day | every single moment
Packers work fast and don't always note pre-existing damage. Walk room to room with them, annotate anything damaged on the inventory sheet before you sign it. Your signature on a clean inventory makes it nearly impossible to file a successful damage claim later.
Photograph everything before the movers arrive
Do a full video walkthrough of every room. Get close-up photos of all electronics, furniture joints, and any pre-existing damage. Date-stamp them. These photos are evidence if your claim goes to dispute.
Pull out your personal bag before packers show up
Set aside medications, important documents, jewelry, and your PCS folder the night before. Put it in your vehicle. Packers are fast, things disappear into boxes in seconds. Once it's packed, good luck finding it before delivery day.
File DD Form 1840 even for minor damage
You have 75 days after HHG delivery to file a loss/damage claim. Even if something seems small, file it. The 1840 is the initial report; you have 9 months total to finalize a claim. Many people miss the window and lose thousands.
TLE and per diem are separate | claim both
TLE (Temporary Lodging Expense) covers lodging costs. Per diem covers meals and incidentals. MALT (Mileage Allowance in Lieu of Transportation) covers mileage. These are three separate entitlements. Not claiming all three is leaving money on the table.
Submit your PPM (Personally Procured Move)/DITY (Do-It-Yourself) weight tickets within 45 days
If you did a Personally Procured Move, you're owed incentive pay based on the difference between your actual cost and what a government move would have cost. Submit both certified weight tickets to TMO (Transportation Management Office) within 45 days, after that, you forfeit the payment.
Research pro-gear | it doesn't count against your weight allowance
Professional books, uniforms, and tools for your MOS (Military Occupational Specialty)/rate are shipped separately and don't count against your weight limit. Many service members pack pro-gear in with HHG and pay overage fees they didn't need to. Notify TMO at time of booking.
Apply for on-post housing the day your orders drop
Housing waitlists at popular installations (Fort Liberty, Bragg, JBLM, Camp Pendleton) routinely run 6–12 months. Apply before you leave your current installation. Some housing offices will accept applications before you arrive if you have orders.
Use Facebook groups and Reddit to research neighborhoods
The most current intel on neighborhoods, schools, traffic, and which apartments to avoid comes from people who just got to that installation. Search "[Installation Name] Families" on Facebook, these groups are gold.
Get everything in writing from your landlord before signing
Verbal agreements don't hold up when you need to break a lease for a PCS. Make sure your lease includes a military clause that references SCRA (Servicemembers Civil Relief Act). If it doesn't, get an addendum, your JAG (Judge Advocate General) office can help.
Prepare your kids, even the little ones | before the move
Kids handle PCS better when they know what to expect. Visit the new installation's school website together, find out about youth sports and activities, and let them pick one item to hand-carry themselves. Ownership reduces anxiety.
Get 90-day prescription refills before you leave
You'll likely face a gap in TRICARE enrollment between installations. Refilling prescriptions for 90 days before departure keeps your family covered during the transition. This applies to everything from blood pressure meds to ADHD prescriptions for kids.
Enroll in TRICARE within 30 days of arriving
You have 30 days to enroll at the new MTF before coverage gaps can become a problem. Many families miss this and end up paying out-of-pocket for care they should have had covered. Visit the TRICARE office in the first week.
Update your will and POA before every PCS
A PCS is a major life change. Update your will, designate a power of attorney for your spouse, and review SGLI beneficiaries before you depart. The JAG office provides these services for free, and it takes less than an hour.
Use SCRA to break your lease | it works
The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act protects you from lease penalties when you PCS. Provide your landlord written notice plus a copy of orders with an effective date at least 30 days out. Your lease terminates 30 days after the next rent due date. No penalty.
Book your HHG shipment early | PCS season is brutal
June and July are the peak of PCS season. TSPs (Transportation Service Providers) book up weeks in advance. If your report date is in summer, get into DPS (Defense Personal Property System) the day your orders are finalized. Waiting = getting a later pack date than you need.
A split shipment can be a lifesaver
You can split your HHG into two shipments, one fast, one bulk. Sending a small "unaccompanied baggage" shipment ahead means you'll have essentials when you arrive, even if your main HHG is delayed weeks.
Track your shipment in DPS and confirm delivery window early
HHG delivery schedules can change. Log into DPS regularly after pack day to track your shipment status and confirm the delivery address. If you've moved to temporary lodging, make sure the delivery address is updated.
Ship a UAB (Unaccompanied Air Baggage) for OCONUS moves
OCONUS HHG can take 2–3 months to arrive. Your UAB allowance arrives in 2–4 weeks. Pack it with essentials: work uniforms, kids' school supplies, basic kitchen items, and enough clothing for the first month.
Submit OHA paperwork immediately upon arrival overseas
OHA (Overseas Housing Allowance) starts the day you sign your lease, but the backdating window is limited. Don't wait. Go to your finance office in the first week and submit all required documentation. Delays cost you money.