PCS & Relocation

The Ultimate PCS Checklist: What to Do Before, During, and After Your Move

July 22, 2026
The Ultimate PCS Checklist: What to Do Before, During, and After Your Move

In Brief: A Permanent Change of Station (PCS) is a full-team event—service member, spouse, kids, pets, and yes, your movers. Use this mission-style checklist to go from orders to on-time delivery with fewer surprises.

At a glance: confirm report date, CONUS/OCONUS, dependents, HHG (Household Goods) vs. PPM/DITY (Personally Procured Move), temp lodging (TLE/TLA), POV (personally owned vehicle) plan, and entitlements like DLA (Dislocation Allowance) and BAH (Basic Allowance for Housing). Use the official BAH calculator—not screenshots or hearsay—before deciding rent vs. buy.

Need help planning around your report date? Connect with our Compass Military team for timing, remote showings, and TLE/TLA-aware housing options.

Before you have orders (prep phase)

  • Budget & docs: Build a moving reserve (for reimbursable out-of-pocket costs) and gather IDs, marriage/birth certificates, pet records, vehicle info, and special powers of attorney for real estate/vehicles if the service member may be OCONUS or in training.
  • BAH intel, not guesses: Check current BAH by ZIP, paygrade, and dependent status via the official calculator from the Defense Travel Management Office (DTMO): BAH Calculator.
  • If buying with a VA-backed loan: Understand the Certificate of Eligibility (COE) and that VA appraisals check Minimum Property Requirements (MPRs). You (or your lender) can request a COE via VA: How to apply for your COE. For appraisal/MPR policy, see the VA Lender’s Handbook: VA Handbook (MPR/Appraisal).

As soon as orders hit (T-8 to T-6 weeks)

Open your move in DPS/MilMove.

Create shipments (HHG, UB/unaccompanied baggage, NTS/non-temp storage, or PPM). If your shipment is selected for MilMove, follow those prompts; otherwise use DPS. Start at Military OneSource (PCS Hub) and the property/moving guidance MilMove/PPM page.

Choose HHG vs. PPM/DITY (or split).

  • HHG: Government-arranged movers within your weight allowance.
  • PPM: You move some/all items; reimbursement uses certified weight tickets under the Joint Travel Regulations (JTR). JTR policy: Joint Travel Regulations (JTR).

Map temporary lodging:

  • TLE (CONUS): Partial reimbursement near old/new duty station around your PCS (not for house hunting) per DFAS guidance: DFAS TLE.
  • TLA (OCONUS): Temporary lodging reimbursement overseas when required; overview at DTMO: DTMO TLA FAQ.

POV plan:

  • CONUS: You typically drive; no government shipment.
  • OCONUS: Shipment or storage of one POV is common; check turn-in requirements and timing at USTRANSCOM’s site: PCSmyPOV.

Schedule pack/pickup/delivery windows.

Protect your report date; build a buffer for peak-season delays.

Start housing search (rent or buy):

  • Rent: Prioritize commute gates, school needs, and TLE/TLA limits.
  • Buy (VA): Your lender pulls the COE; the VA appraisal checks value and baseline MPRs. A home inspection is separate and recommended (see the VA Handbook).

School & TRICARE handoff:

Request records; expect a region/PCM change after your PCS (orientation only—confirm specifics with your regional contractor).

T-6 to T-3 weeks (execution prep)

  • Purge & pre-pack: Photograph high-value items; record serial numbers; set aside professional gear (often excluded from weight).
  • PPM weighing plan: Identify certified scales for empty and full tickets (required for reimbursement under the JTR): JTR.
  • Utilities & mail: Set turn-off/on dates; open forwarding with the United States Postal Service (USPS) or your CMR/PSC box.
  • Travel route: Book pet-friendly lodging; map weigh stations if driving a rental.
  • Temp lodging: Reserve within TLE/TLA parameters; keep itemized receipts (DFAS TLE | DTMO TLA FAQ).
  • POV shipment (OCONUS): Verify authorization and bring required documents to the Vehicle Processing Center (see PCSmyPOV).

Pack/Pickup week (T-10 to T-0 days)

  • Hand-carry: Orders, passports, SSNs, meds, jewelry, electronics, irreplaceables.
  • With movers: Walk the inventory; verify tags match items; photograph major pieces; note pre-existing damage.
  • Meters & keys: Record final readings; gather spares, remotes, gate fobs.
  • Out-processing: Follow unit requirements for inspection/clearance.

Travel to your new duty station

  • Receipts matter: Keep fuel, lodging, and toll receipts as required for claims.
  • Safety first: Plan conservative drive legs; check weather/construction on your route.
  • Check-ins: Follow reporting instructions on arrival; confirm permissive TDY if authorized for house hunting (local policies vary).

Arrival & delivery

Transportation office check-in:

Update availability for delivery/out-of-storage; confirm TLE/TLA questions (see DFAS / DTMO TLA pages).

Housing move-in:

  • Rent: Document move-in condition thoroughly.
  • Buy (VA): Remember VA appraisal ≠ inspection; keep the inspection report for maintenance planning (see VA Handbook).

HHG delivery day:

Use your inventory to check off items; annotate loss/damage before signing. Stage boxes by room; open “Parts/Hardware” boxes to rebuild furniture.

If doing a PPM:

Upload empty/full certified weight tickets, receipts, and documents per DPS/MilMove for settlement (see MilMove/PPM guidance).

After delivery

  • Claims clock: File loss/damage notice promptly in DPS; Military OneSource has branch-specific support and claims guidance.
  • TLE/TLA settlement: Submit itemized lodging receipts and dates aligned to eligibility rules (no overlap with travel per diem). Resources: DFAS TLE | DTMO TLA FAQ.
  • BAH & LES: Verify BAH for the gaining duty station and dependent status; use the DTMO calculator to sanity-check.
  • Update life admin: Driver’s licenses (as applicable), voter registration, pet licenses, TRICARE region/PCM, and school enrollments.

Rent vs. buy on a PCS tour (fast framework)

  • Tour length & resale risk: For 2–3-year tours, run conservative rent-vs-buy scenarios that include closing costs, maintenance, and possible repairs.
  • VA-backed loan (education only): Potential zero down and no monthly PMI; a one-time VA funding fee applies (certain disability ratings are exempt). Obtain your COE early and work with VA-savvy pros on sight-unseen and POA workflows. VA Home Loans hub: va.gov/home-loans.
  • Appraisal vs. inspection: VA appraisal checks value and baseline MPRs; a home inspection is separate and recommended (VA Handbook).

Final checklist

Before orders

  • Budget; gather docs; review BAH with the official calculator; outline rent vs. buy; know COE/MPR basics (VA).

Orders in hand

  • Open DPS (or MilMove if selected); pick HHG/PPM mix; book movers; map TLE/TLA; decide POV plan; start housing; request school/medical transfers.

Three–six weeks out

  • Purge; pre-pack; schedule certified weights (PPM); reserve pet-friendly hotels; set utilities/mail; book temp lodging.

Pack/Load week

  • Separate hand-carry items; inventory & photos; supervise packing; annotate condition; out-process.

Travel

  • Keep receipts; plan safe legs; report to unit; confirm permissive TDY if applicable.

Arrival

  • Check in with transportation; take delivery and annotate damages; file claims; settle TLE/TLA; verify BAH on LES; complete local admin.

FAQs

What’s the difference between TLE and TLA?

TLE (Temporary Lodging Expense) is for CONUS moves—partial reimbursement for lodging/meals near your old or new duty station around PCS dates (DFAS TLE). TLA (Temporary Lodging Allowance) is for OCONUS moves—temporary lodging reimbursement overseas when required by local policy (DTMO TLA FAQ). Caps, days, and eligibility differ—always check the official pages before booking.

Should I choose HHG or PPM/DITY?

HHG (Household Goods) = government-arranged movers within your weight allowance. PPM/DITY (Personally Procured Move) = you move some/all items and get reimbursed based on certified empty/full weight tickets under the JTR (JTR policy). Many families do a hybrid (some HHG + some PPM) to control timing and costs.

Can I ship my car?

CONUS: Usually no government shipment—you drive your POV. OCONUS: Typically shipment or storage of one POV is authorized. You’ll need orders and turn-in documents for the Vehicle Processing Center—check current instructions and appointment availability at PCSmyPOV.

How do BAH and pay switch over after PCS?

BAH is tied to your gaining duty station and dependent status. After you arrive and in-process, verify your LES reflects the correct BAH. Use the official BAH calculator to estimate; don’t rely on screenshots or word of mouth.

VA loan basics: COE, appraisal, and inspection—what’s what?

Your COE (Certificate of Eligibility) verifies VA loan entitlement and can be pulled online by you or your lender (apply for COE). A VA appraisal checks value and Minimum Property Requirements (MPRs); it is not a home inspection. Always order a separate inspection for full condition awareness (VA Handbook).

Disclaimer

This guide is not legal, tax, medical, or financial advice; policies can change and local rules vary. Verify entitlements/eligibility with your chain of command/finance office and official sites referenced. We welcome clients of all backgrounds and comply with the Fair Housing Act and all applicable laws.

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