Moving Marvelously Each Time

If you're in the military, you know that frequent moves are a way of life. However, if this is going to be your first PCS – permanent change of station – you might not be prepared for all the work that goes along with it. Now that it's time to PCS, be sure you're ready for the transition. Here are four steps that will help you make it through the move.

Don't Procrastinate

Once you have your orders in hand, you need to start preparing. Procrastinating can leave you with a lot of details unattended to when it's time to leave. Unfortunately, the military isn't very patient with unexpected delays. Take a look at your orders. Your report date may be anywhere from a few weeks to a few months away. Once you know your report date, you can start planning the move.

Know Your Options

When it comes to moving your family for a PCS, you have a couple of options available to you. You can either have the military take care of everything for you, or you can move yourself. If you've decided to do it yourself, you'll need to decide if you plan on renting a truck, or hiring a moving company to take care of all the details for you. One of the benefits of hiring a moving company is that they'll take care of all the details for you. Because many military families PCS at the same time, taking care of your own moving will ensure that your property arrives at your new duty station sooner.

Get Your Papers in Order

You're going to need access to all of your important papers, especially when it's time to check in at your new duty station. To ensure that you have easy access to your documents, don't pack them with your belongings. Instead, put a PCS binder together that will hold all of your documents. A notebook with plastic sleeves will work well to hold all your documents securely in one convenient location. Some of the documents you'll need will include:

• Birth certificates for every member of the family
• Powers of Attorney
• Shot records for children

Create a PCS Survival Kit

You might arrive at your new duty station several days – or even weeks – before your belongings do. To make sure you have enough supplies to last, be sure to make a PCS survival kit. Your survival kit should include personal hygiene supplies, pillows, blankets, and several sets of clothing. If you have children, you should also include a few toys to keep them occupied.

If this will be your first PCS, you need to make sure you're prepared for the transition. The information provided here will help alleviate some of the stress. If you have further questions, be sure to speak to your local transportation office.

Contact a moving company like M Dyer & Sons Inc for more help.