Permanent Change of Station (PCS)

Receiving PCS orders is both exciting and nerve-wracking. No matter how many moves you’ve made, pre-planning is essential.

Prior to getting married, I moved 10 times. My dad was an executive manager at resorts, and I followed in his footsteps so moving was already a part of my life. Then when I married my active-duty spouse, we moved 11 times during his career with the Army. I like to think I’m an expert on moving but with each move you learn something new. The goal is to make it as smooth and painless as possible for everyone involved especially the young ones. Making strategic decisions will go a long way in making your move seamless.

Top Five Steps to take as soon as you receive orders:

Make an appointment with the transportation office. At your meeting discuss all moving options that are available and start making preliminary arrangements. Each service branch has a different name and are as follows:

The Department of Defense: Joint Personal Property Shipping Office

Army: Installation Transportation Office

Navy and Marine Corps: Personal Property Shipping Office

Air Force & Space Force: Traffic Management Office

Coast Guard: Household Goods Shipping Office

Contact the Family Center at your new location, specifically the relocation assistance programs available. They will have information about your new community.

Make an appointment with the Finance Office, there are a lot of up-front costs with any move and the finance office will be able to advice you of all benefits available.

Inquire with friends if they know anyone in your new location. Also, check with your incoming unit if you will be provided a sponsor. The more information you can gather, the better.

Contact me! 95% of my clients are active-duty or retired military. I’ve worked with clients who have purchased sight-unseen from Okinawa and Germany and also with clients who have flown in for a whirlwind house hunting weekend. I have a passion for learning about what each individual client is looking for – everyone has their list of wants and needs. I pride myself in educating clients about the Northern Virginia and DC metro area since it’s not just about available homes. There is so much to consider including the commute, schools, lifestyle and type of homes. Let me help you find the perfect home for YOU!