Here is a checklist that gives you a step-by-step list of what is needed to be done before you make your move. This checklist will help you make your move more affordable and with less headache. Review the list with your relocation specialist at your current duty station to determine what steps apply to your tour and situation. The checklist will countdown from week 8 to the day of move.
Week 8
_____ Visit your relocation office and obtain info on your next duty station. Schedule a meeting with a relocation specialist at your station to plan for the move. Ask them what benefits you are entitled to (this differs depending on marital status). i.e. Dislocation Allowance. You will not always be told about it, so ask for it.
_____ Discuss the specifics of your move with your transportation office, storage, household goods, and pet shipment. Provide your current TO with your estimated shipping weight of your household goods shipments. Varies on marital status and next duty station.
_____ Call your finance office for details on temporary lodging allowance TLA. Make TLA entitlements/billeting arrangements. This will depend on your current station you are at and in some cases your pay grade.
_____ Notify your housing office, rental agent or landlord of your PCS orders and when you plan to vacate. If the lease contains a military clause, this notification must be made in writing. Most rental agencies require a 30 day written notice, so keep that in mind and back plan from date of move.
_____ Request a sponsor at the new station and make contact with them when one is assigned to you. If you do not hear back from your sponsor, have your commander write directly to your gaining commander on your behalf.
_____ Inventory all your household items by room, closet, etc. Estimate the value of your household items for insurance purposes. A videotape of the contents of each room can be particularly useful in creating an indisputable visual record. Narate what you are recording to help the process. Record ALL serial numbers. Decide what will be moved, what should be stored and what should be sold at a garage or yard sale. All unsold items can be donated to charity. Remember, shipping excess unwanted or needed items that are over your shipping limit can get VERY expensive.
_____ Organize your family records in a Travel Records Kit. Your kit should contain: birth certificates, social security cards and/or numbers, naturalization papers (if applicable), military and insurance ID cards, a copy of your children's medical, dental and optical records, school transcripts and referral letters, marriage and divorce papers (if appllicable), pet immunization records, expense log books, PCS orders (30-40 copies), copy of wills, your list of serial numbers, financial records, including a list of stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and other financial investments, bank account and credit card info, car registration and title, adoption papers (if applicable), current passports (if they about to expire, get them updated prior), servicemember's last Leave and Earning Statement LES, and spouses resumes, certificates, professional licenses, and transcripts.
_____ Complete all scheduled dental and optical work and exams. Obtain a copy of your medical, dental, and optical records and put them in your travel records kit or have them forwarded to the next duty station. HERE IS A HINT!!!! Take them with you. You may never see them again if they are forwarded.
_____ Update expired passports or those that will expire while you are stationed overseas.
_____ Make sure that you and your family (if applicable) have current ID cards that will not expire while overseas.
WEEK 5
_____ Give all employers termination notice and obtain references from supervisors.
_____ Establish new bank accounts and safe deposits boxes at the next duty station.
_____ Schedule to have your current utilities canceled the day after you move. Forward the final bills to your new address. If you have a trusted family member or friend handling your finances for you, have the bills forwarded to them to pay.
_____ Contact your finance and base pay office for information on housing allowances (if applicable) at the new duty station. Consider your mode of travel when discussing Advance Traval Pay.
_____ Obtain veterinary records and licenses and arrange for pet transportation. Some duty assignments will required that your pet receive their rabies shots 30 or more days prior and no more than one year prior to arrival on station. Bring the original and 5 copies of the rabies certificate with you.
Week 2
_____ If necessary, arrange for someone to care for your pets or children on moving day.
_____ Settle any outstanding bills. Cancel newspapers. Return any outstanding library books or borrowed goods.
Week 1
_____ Thoroughly clean the house or apartment for final inspection by your landlord or housing office.
_____ Pack suitcases and other necessary items for the trip. Set out any toys for the trip and prepare a first aid kit. Be sure to pack all necessary military uniforms and appropriate clothing for the weather during that time of the year.
_____ Empty, defrost, clean, and dry the refrigerator for shipping or for storage. While defrosting, secure the door with a strap to prevent it from accidentally closing on children or pets. To keep the refrigerator smelling fresh, put a handful of coffee grounds or baking soda in a sock or in hosiery and place it in the refrigerator.
Moving Day
_____ Lock your travel records kit and other valuables in your car.
_____ Take the children and pets to a safe location.
_____ Plan to be present when the movers arrive. SUPERVISE their work carefully as they inventory and tag your furniture and record its condition. Carefully review your contract with the moving company before shipping
_____ Verify that the seal that is placed on all boxes or valuable items is properly sealed.
_____ Obtain a clear copy of the moving company's inventory list. Place this in the travel records kit.
_____ When the movers are finished packing, make a final check of all rooms and closets for any missing items.
_____ After the movers have left, close and securely lock all doors and windows, and turn off the lights. If required, leave any household keys in a predesignated location for you landlord. Keep in mind that your household goods pickup could be several days or weeks prior to your actual day of move. If so, you will need essential items to sustain you and your family.
Final thoughts: This list will help you but, you must keep in mind that you will have to do other things as well such as clearing all the other agencies on base or post. I recently cleared Fort Sill, OK and the experience was a pleasant one. Most of the agencies that have to be cleared are centrally located so movement was minimal. Organization is the key. Buy a brief case or case to secure all docs that I mentioned, make copies of everything, and label them so that it makes sense to you. I hope you have a safe and enjoyable PCS move as this is my 6th and hopefully final one. Thank you.
Adam Humphrey