PCS (Permanent Change of Station) Timeline
Week-by-week schedule from the day your orders drop to the day you're fully in-processed. 180 days of tasks organized by what needs to happen when.
180-Day ScheduleAll BranchesCONUS (Continental United States) & OCONUS (Outside the Continental United States)HHG (Household Goods) & PPM (Personally Procured Move)
Weeks 24–20
Weeks 20–16
Weeks 12–8
Weeks 6–4
Pack & Load Week
Travel Week
Weeks 1–4 In-Processing
Weeks 24–20, 180–140 Days Out
Orders Received | Start Now
Week 24 (Day 0)
- Receive and verify PCS orders, check rank, MOS (Military Occupational Specialty)/rate, and gaining unit for errors Critical
- Log into DPS (Defense Personal Property System) and begin your move request, do NOT delay, slots fill fast in PCS season Critical
- Notify your current housing office (on-post) or landlord (off-post) of your intent to vacate
- Apply for on-post housing at gaining installation immediately, waitlists are 3–12 months Critical
- Contact your gaining unit's sponsor program or S1 to begin in-processing coordination
Weeks 23–22
- Research BAH (Basic Allowance for Housing) rates at your new duty station and compare on-post vs off-post costs
- Check if your gaining installation requires EFMP coordination
- Update your will, POA, and SGLI beneficiaries at the JAG (Judge Advocate General) office Critical
- Notify your children's current school and request records transfer
- Begin researching neighborhoods, schools, and commutes near your new installation
Weeks 20–16, 140–100 Days Out
Schedule Your Move
Weeks 20–18
- Confirm HHG shipment dates in DPS, peak season dates can be limited Critical
- Decide: full HHG government shipment, PPM/DITY (Do-It-Yourself), or split shipment
- Schedule POV (vehicle) shipment through DPS if shipping a car Critical
- Schedule VPC (Vehicle Processing Center) appointment early, they also book up
- If PPM/DITY: arrange to get certified empty weight ticket before you load anything
Weeks 17–16
- Confirm temporary lodging TLE (Temporary Lodging Expense) reservations on-post or hotel near new installation
- Schedule a separate Pro-Gear shipment if you have professional books or equipment
- Begin photographing and inventorying all high-value items
- If renting off-post: submit SCRA (Servicemembers Civil Relief Act) notice to landlord with orders copy (30+ days notice) Critical
Weeks 12–8, 84–56 Days Out
Out-Processing Begins
Weeks 12–10
- Begin scheduling out-processing appointments: medical, dental, finance, housing, legal
- Request 90-day prescription refills for all family members Critical
- Request medical and dental records transfer, do NOT wait until the last week
- Download and save copies of all children's school and immunization records
- Schedule final housing inspection/walk-through with housing office
Weeks 9–8
- Visit finance: verify leave balance, confirm TLE entitlement, check pay is correct
- Return all government equipment, CAC cards for dependents if changing installations
- Update beneficiary designations in SGLI if family situation has changed
- Ensure vehicles are registered in current state (or new state if moving first)
Weeks 6–4, 42–28 Days Out
Final Admin & Prep
Weeks 6–5
- Forward mail at USPS, start date should be your pack day or travel date
- Update address with bank, credit cards, subscriptions, and Amazon/delivery services
- Confirm HHG pack date, load date, and delivery window in DPS
- Confirm VPC drop-off appointment and vehicle condition documentation
- Sort belongings: what goes in HHG, what you're keeping in the car, what to donate/sell
Weeks 4–3
- Clear housing, schedule final walk-through and return keys on time Critical
- Defrost and dry the refrigerator at least 24 hours before pack day
- Drain all fuel from lawnmowers, generators, and outdoor equipment
- Pull your personal bag: documents, medications, valuables, laptop, chargers
- Create your PCS folder: orders, weight tickets, receipts, inventory sheets
Pack & Load Week, 7–3 Days Before Departure
Movers Arrive
Pack Day
- Be present the entire day, do not leave while movers are working Critical
- Walk each room and annotate any pre-existing damage on the inventory sheet before signing Critical
- Do NOT put firearms, hazmat, valuables, medications, or documents in HHG Critical
- Photograph every room and all packed items on movers' inventory
Load Day
- Verify all boxes and furniture are marked on DD Form 1299 inventory
- Get certified loaded weight ticket immediately after PPM/DITY loading is complete Critical
- Keep your copy of all inventory sheets, you'll need them for damage claims
- Do a final sweep of all rooms, closets, garage, and storage after movers leave
Travel Week, Departure to Arrival
On the Road
Day of Departure
- Record starting odometer mileage for MALT (Mileage Allowance in Lieu of Transportation) claim Critical
- Confirm HHG delivery window and address in DPS before you leave
- Bring copies of orders, you'll show them at lodging for per diem
During Travel
- Save every receipt: gas, lodging, tolls, meals, all are reimbursable Critical
- Use TLE for lodging at your new installation (up to 10 days for CONUS)
- Record ending odometer mileage upon arrival
- Update DPS with new delivery address if it has changed from what was booked
Weeks 1–4 In-Processing, Arrival at New Duty Station
In-Processing Sprint
Week 1
- Report to gaining unit on your report date with a copy of orders Critical
- Visit finance first, update pay records, submit TLE and per diem claims Critical
- Enroll family in TRICARE at new MTF within 30 days to avoid coverage gap Critical
- Update DEERS at the RAPIDS office with new address
- Get HHG delivery appointment confirmed, note any damage on DD Form 1840 Critical
Weeks 2–4
- File DD Form 1840 for any HHG damage within 75 days of delivery Critical
- Submit PPM/DITY weight tickets and receipts to TMO (Transportation Management Office) within 45 days Critical
- Register vehicles in new state (30–90 days depending on state law)
- Enroll children in school, bring immunization records and prior school records
- Update voter registration and driver's license for new state of legal residence
- Explore your new installation, commissary, PX (Post Exchange)/BX (Base Exchange), gym, ACS (Army Community Service), chaplain
Key Post-Arrival Deadlines
30 days after arrival
Enroll family in TRICARE at new MTF, coverage gap starts after this window
45 days after PPM/DITY completion
Submit weight tickets and receipts to TMO for incentive pay
75 days after HHG delivery
File DD Form 1840 for any household goods damage or loss
30–90 days after arrival
Register vehicles in your new state (varies by state law)
Within 10 days
TLE covers temporary lodging up to 10 days at CONUS installations
Before departure
Record odometer reading for MALT mileage reimbursement claim