Military Moving Checklist: Top Tips for a Smooth PCS Move

Heidi Robbins

Aug 31

3 min read

Updated: Oct 7

Orders are in. Now what? As a military spouse for more than 30 years and an Arlington Associate Broker with 560+ transactions, I've learned that a smooth PCS comes down to starting early and keeping everything in one place. Here's the checklist I share with families.

As soon as you have orders

Contact your transportation office and start your move request. Military OneSource's Plan My Move builds a custom checklist and timeline for your move.
Understand your entitlements and options: a government-arranged move, a personally procured move (PPM, once called a DITY move) or a mix. My PPM pros and cons guide explains the trade-offs.
Decide what happens to your current home: sell, rent it out or end your lease. My guide to renting out versus selling when you PCS walks through the decision.
Look up the Basic Allowance for Housing at your next duty station with the DoD BAH page.
Build a realistic timeline with buffer days. Peak season is busy for movers, lodging and real estate.

Set up a command center

Pick one spot, a binder, a shelf or a corner of the kitchen, and keep it all there:

Copies of orders (you'll need many), IDs, passports, birth certificates, school and medical records, vehicle titles and pet records.
A calendar with packing, pickup, travel, lodging and delivery dates.
A contact list: the transportation office, movers, your sponsor, landlord or agent, utility companies and schools.
A hand-carry box for documents, valuables and anything you can't replace. It never goes on the truck.

Organize with tools you already have

Shared docs and spreadsheets (Google Drive or similar) for a household inventory, budget and to-do list the whole family can see.
A shared calendar so everyone knows the dates.
Maps to save your new installation, schools, grocery stores and lodging before you arrive.
Photo backup for pictures of every room and high-value item before packing.
Task and inventory apps like Trello or Sortly, and floor-plan apps like MagicPlan to see whether your furniture will fit.
Local help apps like Thumbtack or TaskRabbit for cleaners, handymen and furniture assembly.

Use social media, carefully

Join the spouse page for your next installation. Members answer questions about neighborhoods, schools and housing.
Search location hashtags and Pinterest for ideas about your new area.
Ask for live video tours of a rental or home you can't see in person.
Practice OPSEC: don't post moving dates, your new address or when your home will be empty. Military OneSource has good guidance on what not to share.

Declutter, then pack smart

Declutter before the packers arrive. You pay in time and weight for every item you move. My downsizing guide has a room-by-room method.
Color-code rooms: a color for each room on boxes and on the doors of your new home.
Bag and label hardware from furniture you take apart, and tape it to the piece.
Pack a "first night" box for each person with sheets, towels, toiletries, chargers and a change of clothes.
Inventory everything, with photos and serial numbers for electronics.

Pack the car for the road trip

For the kids: snacks, headphones, downloaded shows, a few new small toys and a bag of activities.
For everyone: water, a first aid kit, medications, wipes, paper towels and trash bags.
For the car: an emergency kit, jumper cables, a tire gauge and a phone mount.
For pets: food, water, a leash, records and pet-friendly lodging booked ahead.

Plan the housing at the other end

Check your credit and get pre-approved if you plan to buy.
Research neighborhoods, commutes and schools before you house-hunt. My guide to choosing the right neighborhood covers how.
Book temporary lodging in case your home isn't ready.
Line up utilities, internet and school enrollment early.

Expect the unexpected

Delays happen. Keep extra clothes, documents and medications with you, keep receipts for move expenses, and lean on your sponsor, unit and spouse network.