So, you’ve just received your PCS military orders, also known as Permanent Change of Station. Whether this is your first PCS or your fifth, the reality of packing up your life and relocating can feel overwhelming. 

Even with military assistance, coordinating a move involves countless details, paperwork, and decisions that can test the patience of even a battle-hardened warrior. Don’t worry. You’re not alone in this journey.

Thousands of service members navigate PCS moves every year. With the right preparation, yours can go smoothly, too. In this guide, you’ll find practical military moving tips to reduce stress and make your move easier. 

Understanding Your PCS Military Move

A PCS is more than just an ordinary move. It’s an official transfer to a new duty station that usually means relocating your entire family. Unlike temporary assignments, a PCS military order means you’re establishing roots somewhere new for at least a year, though often longer. The US military issues these orders based on service needs, career progression, or mission requirements. 

The double-edged sword of a PCS is that it represents both career advancement in the military and a big, challenging adjustment for you and your family. You’ll face practical challenges, such as coordinating with transportation offices, sticking to weight allowances for household goods, and navigating programs like dislocation allowances.

While the military provides significant moving support, it doesn’t cover everything. You’ll need to do your part to understand the PCS process so you can make the right decisions about what to take, what to store, and how to organize your big move. 

Essential Military Moving Tips: Your PCS Checklist

Creating a comprehensive military PCS move checklist is your first defense against the chaos of relocation. Like any military strategy worth its salt, the key is to break the project down into manageable steps to stay organized and reduce overall stress. 

2-3 Months Before Your Move

Start prepping for your move early to avoid last-minute scrambling. As soon as you receive your orders, begin preparing.

• Request your official orders and make multiple copies.
• Schedule an appointment with your base transportation office.
• Decide whether to do a Personally Procured Move (PPM/DITY) or let the military handle it.
• Research your new duty station and housing options.
• Begin researching military discount storage units if you’ll need them.
• Inventory your belongings and decide what to take, store, or donate.
• Create a moving binder to organize all your paperwork.

1 Month Before Your Move

The countdown is on! Now’s the time to finalize arrangements and begin the packing process.

• Schedule your final housing inspection.
• Set up temporary lodging if needed.
• Begin packing items you won’t need immediately.
• Make travel arrangements if you’re driving or flying separately.
• Arrange for pet transportation if you’ve got a furry family member.
• Schedule a health check-up for family members.
• Set aside essential documents in a secure, accessible location.

2 Weeks Before Your Move

It’s coming down to the wire. As moving day approaches, make your final preparations.

• Confirm all moving arrangements with your transportation office.
• Set up mail forwarding with USPS.
• Transfer or cancel local services and memberships.
• Create a “first day” box with essentials you’ll need right away when you arrive at your new home.
• Update your contact information with important institutions.
• Return anything you’ve borrowed and pick up anything you’ve loaned to friends and neighbors.
• Separate your professional gear (Pro-Gear doesn’t count against your weight allowance).
• Finalize storage arrangements for anything that’s not coming with you.

Every PCS military move is different, and flexibility is the key. Your branch’s specific procedures may vary slightly, so always check with your transportation office for guidance on your particular situation. 

How Self Storage Can Be a Key Part of Your PCS Military Strategy

Self storage can be an invaluable ally during your PCS military transition. Whether you’re facing housing delays, downsizing temporarily, or deploying overseas, a storage unit is a flexible solution for your belongings. Many self-storage facilities near major military bases offer military discount storage units with month-to-month contracts that can accommodate military timelines. 

For short-term needs, storage units can bridge the gap when you’re between housing. They can give you a secure place for your belongings when move-out and move-in dates don’t align. For long assignments, particularly overseas deployments, climate-controlled units can protect the valuable items you can’t bring along. 

Self storage can also help you when weight allowances limit what the military will transport. A storage unit helps you store large, heavy items that exceed your allotment without needing to sell them. The strategic use of storage also simplifies your military PCS move checklist by providing a temporary home for seasonal items, family heirlooms, and other items that don’t need to accompany you on every move. 

Making Your PCS Move a Success

With good planning and the right resources, your PCS military move can be manageable, rather than overwhelming. Following our detailed military PCS move checklist will help you navigate each step of your relocation with confidence. 

When you need reliable storage during your transition, Price Self Storage® offers convenient options throughout California. Our month-to-month rentals give you the flexibility military life demands, with no long-term commitments required. We also offer climate-controlled storage units and vehicle storage at select locations.

Find your nearest Price Self Storage today. 

Military PCS and Storage FAQs

Packing up and heading to a new duty station involves many moving parts. We’ve got more military moving tips for you here in our FAQ section.

What does PCS mean in the military?

As noted above, PCS stands for Permanent Change of Station. It’s an official order to relocate a service member from one duty station to another for an extended period, typically a year or longer. 

What first steps belong on a PCS checklist regarding my belongings?

Begin by creating a detailed inventory of your possessions. Decide what to take, store, or donate. Sort items into categories like must-haves, maybes, and leave-behinds. Research weight allowances for your rank and family size. Finally, consider which items qualify as professional gear and which do not count toward your weight limit. 

Why should service members consider using self storage during a PCS military move?

Self storage can be useful to service members in a variety of scenarios. It’s ideal when housing isn’t immediately available, your possessions exceed your weight allowance, or you’re being posted overseas. Many military discount storage units offer month-to-month contracts that can accommodate changing orders. Storage also gives you time to decide what you need at your new location without rushing to sell your belongings.