Military Moving Guide: How a PCS Move Works
Here’s the quick answer: A PCS move is a permanent change of station, a military move to a new duty station that the government pays for. Its seven steps include getting orders, contacting your transportation office, choosing your move type, booking in the Defense Personal Property System (DPS), packing out, traveling, and filing your claims. Department of Defense (DoD) household goods moves are run by the Personal Property Activity (PPA).
This military moving guide walks through each step and links to a detailed guide for each one. If you’re hiring help for any part of the move, compare the best military moving companies.
You have three ways to make a PCS move. Here’s how they compare:
| Move type | Who moves your things | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Government-arranged move | A DoD-contracted mover | Hands-off moves |
| Full PPM (formerly DITY) | You, or movers you hire | Control & a possible profit |
| Partial PPM | A DoD-contracted mover & you | Keeping key items with you |
Jump to the PCS move info you need:
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What is a PCS move?
A permanent change of station (PCS) is an official order to move to a new, non-temporary duty station. The government pays to move you, your dependents, and your household goods up to your weight allowance, whether you move within the continental U.S. (CONUS) or overseas (OCONUS).
Beginning in 2026, the Personal Property Activity (PPA) now oversees DoD household goods moves. Sources that still mention HomeSafe, the Global Household Goods Contract, or move.mil are out of date.
You book and track a government-arranged move in DPS. For help, the PPA call center is 833-MIL-MOVE (833-645-6683).
Not sure what your move will cost out of pocket? Compare truck, container, and mover costs for your route.
How does a PCS move work?
Every PCS follows the same basic order. The first step is always contacting your transportation office, and nothing gets booked until you have your orders.
- Get your orders: An assignment notification isn’t the same as orders. Military OneSource advises against permanent decisions like buying a home until orders arrive.
- Contact your transportation office: First-time movers, separating members, and retirees must contact the office before booking in DPS. Counseling covers your weight allowance and move options.
- Choose your move type: Pick a government-arranged move, a full PPM, or a partial PPM. See how they compare below.
- Book in DPS: Your pack and pickup dates set a seven-day spread window, and the mover must pick up within it.
- Pack out: Movers pack and load on scheduled days, or you load your truck or container on a PPM.
- Travel: You get mileage pay and per diem for authorized travel days.
- Take delivery & file claims: Check every item at delivery, report damage in DPS, and file any PPM claim within 45 days.
For every task in order, use our PCS timeline. For every task by category, with a free printable PDF, use our PCS move checklist.
Booking movers for part of your move? Get free estimates from vetted movers.
Which PCS move type should you choose?
The right move type depends on how much control you want. A government-arranged move is the least work, while a PPM pays you 100% of what the government would have spent and lets you keep what you don’t spend, minus taxes.
- Government-arranged move: DoD books a mover to pack, load, and deliver your household goods. You don’t pay up front, but you work on the mover’s schedule, which gets tight in summer.
- Full PPM: You move everything yourself or hire movers for a PPM. Our military PPM move guide covers approval, weight tickets, and your claim, and you can see how much a PPM pays.
- Partial PPM: The government moves most of your things, and you move some yourself. See when a partial PPM move makes sense.
Hiring movers for a full or partial PPM? Start with movers that have a proven track record:
On any PPM, you need certified empty and full PPM weight tickets to get paid on the weight you moved. You can also use a PPM with a moving container or a rental truck instead of a full-service mover. Keep receipts too, since your PPM expenses lower the taxable part of your payment.
Want a container company to do the driving on your PPM? U-Pack handles the transport while you load and unload:
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When should you start planning a PCS?
Start the day your orders arrive. The Army’s goal is to issue orders 120 days or more before your report date, per an Army reassignment brief. However, many members get less notice.
Summer is the busiest time to move. Military Times reports that peak season generally runs from mid-May through August, so request dates as soon as you can.
Pro tip: Print our free PCS checklist and keep it in your PCS binder, so every task, phone number, and deadline is in one place. Download the PCS checklist (PDF).
Moving during peak season? Check summer prices for your route.
What allowances does a PCS move pay?
A PCS comes with several allowances, but most reimburse you after you’ve already paid. Here are the main ones for 2026:
- Dislocation Allowance (DLA): A payment toward moving costs that runs from $1,870.58 to $6,385.58 in 2026, depending on pay grade and dependents, per the 2026 DoD DLA rates memo.
- Mileage (MALT): $0.235 a mile for PCS travel by car starting on or after July 1, 2026, paid per authorized vehicle, up to two.
- Per diem: A daily allowance for lodging and meals on authorized travel days between duty stations.
- Temporary Lodging Expense (TLE): Up to 21 days of lodging and meals on a move within the continental U.S., up from 14 days, per a 2025 Marine Corps message.
- Temporary Lodging Allowance (TLA): The overseas version of TLE, with rates set by location.
- Pet costs: Reimbursement for one cat or dog, up to $550 within the continental U.S. or $2,000 overseas.
- PPM incentive: 100% of the Government Constructed Cost to move your weight, if you do a PPM.
Government-provided moves and allowances like DLA aren’t taxable, but PPM profit is. See our guide to PPM taxes and the military moving expense deduction.
Air Force veteran Ryan Guina, founder of The Military Wallet, sees one money mistake over and over:
“The biggest financial mistake service members make when PCSing is underestimating the cost of the move. In theory, the military will cover the cost of moving your household goods to your next duty station. However, the military only covers a limited number of days in temporary lodging, so you will need to find your next home quickly.”
How much can you move on a PCS?
Your weight allowance runs from 5,000 pounds for E-1 to E-3 without dependents to 18,000 pounds for O-6 and above. It’s set by pay grade and dependency status, and it’s the same for every branch.
A PPM only pays on the weight you actually move, up to your allowance. You pay for anything over your allowance. Up to 2,000 pounds of pro gear doesn’t count against your allowance if you declare it before pickup. Your transportation office, which some branches call the TMO, confirms your weight allowance at counseling. See the full chart in our guide to military weight allowance by rank.
Over your allowance? Price the extra weight with a private mover.
What happens to your car on a PCS?
Within the continental U.S., the government expects you to drive your car and pays mileage>. If you want to ship your car, it is at your own expense. For an overseas PCS, the government generally pays to ship one vehicle through PCSmyPOV, the site run by its vehicle contractor.
Shipping a second car, or shipping instead of driving, means hiring a private car shipper. Our guide to car shipping for military moves covers the rules, costs, and shippers.
Need a price on shipping your car? Get car shipping quotes for your route.
How is an overseas PCS different?
An overseas (OCONUS) PCS adds passports, overseas screening, and separate shipments to everything above. Start these the week your orders arrive.
- No-fee passports: Family members need them, and processing can take four to six weeks.
- Overseas screening: Family members traveling with you usually need medical and educational screening before family travel is approved.
- Unaccompanied baggage: A smaller, faster shipment of essentials. It counts against your weight allowance.
- Your car: Book shipping or storage through PCSmyPOV. A second car is at your own expense.
Our overseas PCS checklist has the full list.
What should you do after your shipment is delivered?
Check every item against the inventory at delivery, and note damage or missing items before the crew leaves. Then watch three deadlines:
- Damage report: Report loss or damage in DPS within 180 days of delivery. For shipments picked up on or after May 15, 2026, you have 12 months to file the claim with the mover.
- PPM claim: File within 45 days of finishing your move. The PPA says to expect payment within 45 days of a complete claim.
- TRICARE: Update your address in DEERS, then change your TRICARE enrollment within 90 days of the move.
For step-by-step help, see our guide to filing a moving damage claim.
Settling in off base? Get local moving quotes.
Who do you contact for help with a PCS?
Your transportation office is your main contact, but other offices handle housing, pay, and family support. Find all of them for any base on MilitaryINSTALLATIONS.
- Transportation office: Counsels you, books your shipment, and authorizes a PPM. Branches use different names, such as the Air Force’s TMO or the Marine Corps’ Distribution Management Office (DMO).
- Housing office: Handles base housing waitlists and can help you find off-base rentals at your new duty station.
- Military and Family Support Center: Its relocation assistance staff can help with budgeting, spouse employment, and settling in. The name varies by branch.
- Finance office: Processes advances, DLA, and your travel voucher.
- PPA call center: Call 833-MIL-MOVE (833-645-6683) for problems with a household goods move.
More about military moves
- PCS timeline: See every task in date order, from orders to arrival.
- PCS move checklist: Get every task grouped by category, with a free printable PDF.
- Military weight allowance by rank: Find your allowance and what counts toward it.
- Military PPM move guide: Learn how a PPM works, from counseling to filing your claim.
- PPM weight tickets: Find out how to get certified tickets for every PPM method.
- Military moving expense deduction: Learn what’s taxable and how the military moving expense deduction works.
- Car shipping for military moves: See what the government covers and how to ship a car yourself.
- Final military move: Learn what your last government-paid move covers when you separate or retire.
- PCS storage: See how long the military stores your household goods and who pays after that.
- Army PCS move guide: See what’s different for soldiers, from the levy briefing to travel days.
- Best military moving companies: Compare top movers for a PPM or a move after service.
FAQ
What does PCS stand for?
PCS stands for permanent change of station. It’s an official order to move to a new, non-temporary duty station at government expense.
Who handles military moves now?
The Personal Property Activity (PPA) oversees DoD household goods moves, and you book through the Defense Personal Property System (DPS). For help, call 833-MIL-MOVE (833-645-6683).
What is the first step in a PCS move?
The first step is checking your orders for errors and contacting your transportation office. Then choose your move type and book your shipment in DPS.
Does the military pay for a PCS move?
Yes, the military pays to move you, your dependents, and your household goods up to your weight allowance. You pay for any weight over your allowance and for costs your allowances don’t cover.
Can you make money on a PCS move?
You can on a PPM, which pays 100% of what the government would have spent to move your weight. If your actual costs are lower, you keep the difference, but that profit is taxable.
Does the military ship your car on a PCS?
For an overseas PCS, the government generally pays to ship one car through PCSmyPOV. Within the continental U.S., you’re expected to drive and are paid mileage instead.
How long do you have to report PCS move damage?
You have 180 days from delivery to report loss or damage in DPS. For shipments picked up on or after May 15, 2026, you have 12 months to file the claim with the mover.
Ready to plan your PCS? Compare truck, container, and mover costs for your route before you book:
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