A move can be the start of a great family adventure. When it is a military relocation, you often do not choose the when or the where. It can still go well. You just have to prioritize and plan early, and use every resource available before moving to your new home or apartment.
This guide covers the basics that apply to any move, plus the part most moving-company articles skip: how the military PCS system actually works, and how to keep more of your money.
First, Understand Your PCS Move Options
Before the packing tips, understand the system. A Permanent Change of Station (PCS) move gives you two main paths, and the choice affects your effort, your timeline, and your wallet.
Government move (HHG). The military arranges and pays a contracted mover to pack, ship, and deliver your household goods. You pay nothing within your weight limit. In exchange, you give up control over packing quality and delivery timing. Under the current Global Household Goods Contract with HomeSafe Alliance, some families have reported delays and scheduling problems, which is part of why the next option has grown.
Personally Procured Move (PPM). Formerly called a DITY, or “do it yourself,” move. You arrange the move yourself, then file a claim for reimbursement. For 2026, a member-elected PPM reimburses 100 percent of the Government Constructed Cost, meaning what the government would have paid a contractor. Spend less than that, and you keep the difference. Many families net a few thousand dollars.
You can also do a partial PPM. The government moves most of your goods, and you move a portion yourself for extra reimbursement.
Two rules protect your money and your claim:
- Get counseling and authorization from your Transportation Office (TMO) before you start. Do not begin a PPM until it is approved on your orders. Start online through the Defense Personal Property System at move.mil or through MilitaryOneSource.
- Keep every receipt and get certified weight tickets. No weight tickets, no reimbursement. You can request an advance of up to 60 percent of your estimated PPM payment to cover upfront costs like truck rental and supplies.
Know Your Weight Allowance
Your household goods weight allowance is set by your pay grade and dependent status under the Joint Travel Regulations. It is not based on how much you own. Go over it, and the excess weight comes out of your pocket, often at a dollar or more per pound.
Two things every service member should know:
- Pro-gear is excluded when documented properly. Uniforms, professional books, and the tools of your trade do not count against your allowance.
- Purge before the scale. On a PPM, lighter means cheaper, and cheaper means you keep more of the reimbursement. Declutter before you weigh, not after.
Ask your TMO for a moving calculator so you can estimate your allowance and entitlements before you commit to a path.
Where a Civilian Mover Fits Your PPM
Here is what most military guides leave out. A PPM does not mean you carry every box yourself.
You can hire a professional moving company for part or all of a PPM and still collect your reimbursement. Many families pair hired moving labor with a rental truck or container, which costs far less than a full van line and leaves more of the allowance in their pocket. The heavy lifting gets done, and the math still works in your favor.
If you go this route, the military recommends using a mover registered with the federal government, and carrying insurance on your goods. Big Lake Movers can handle a full move or just the load and unload, whichever keeps your PPM on budget.
Now, the Move Itself
The system sets the rules. These four tips get you through the move.
1. Start Planning ASAP
As soon as you know where and when you are moving, build a personalized timeline. Get packing tips online, print your to-do lists and checklists, and start marking off items as you go. Our room-by-room packing checklist is a good place to start.
2. Tell Your Kids
Moving is intense for children. Small kids may not understand what is happening and need clear, simple explanations. Older kids and teens will worry about leaving friends and starting over. Join online communities and in-person support groups built for military children, who face frequent moves as a fact of life.
Tell your kids as early as you can. Remind them that the things that matter most, like your love for them, do not change.
3. Take Inventory
A successful move starts with knowing exactly what you are taking. Use your phone or computer to record the name, description, and condition of everything in your home, or download a free home inventory app. Photograph valuable and high-condition items before they are packed. This record protects you if you file a damage claim later, whether the move is government-arranged or a PPM.
4. Hand-Carry Your Critical Documents
How long your belongings take to arrive depends on the destination. An overseas move can take months for furniture and a vehicle. A move across the state usually arrives about when you do.
Either way, never put critical items on the truck. Pack these in bags that travel with you in the car or on the flight:
- PCS orders and copies
- IDs, driver’s licenses, Social Security cards, and passports
- Marriage, divorce, birth, and naturalization certificates
- Medical records and prescriptions
- Housing information
- School and employment records
- Vehicle documents and title
- Precious or irreplaceable items
Keep your weight tickets and moving receipts in this same bag. Losing them can cost you your reimbursement.
Contact Big Lake Movers
If you are facing a military move to West Michigan, we can help with the whole move or just the muscle for your PPM. Big Lake Movers serves Grand Rapids, Holland, and Kalamazoo.
Contact us for a free quote, or request an estimate online, and we will help make your move to the Grand Rapids area smooth.
