Hi Bridget! I heard you were a PCS guru and we are getting ready to PCS late Spring. This will be our first PCS and we are having the military move us. What tips do you have? I’m starting to freak out.
Well I’m not sure I would call myself a PCS guru, but I have done all three types of moves (DITY, Partial – DITY, TMO). I always suggest that anyone that chooses a TMO (where the military moves you) move, to instead choose a partial DITY.
Let’s face it, you will be moving some items yourself, so you might as well get paid for it! Now I am not going to go into what each type of move is, or pros/cons of each as you can find all that information in the PCS 101 Section.
I do, however, have several tips to help make this PCS as smooth as possible for you. First and foremost, make a PCS binder. I have created several templates and a how-to that you can easily download from my website for free. This is a must have as soon as you receive those PCS orders!
Before the packers arrive, make sure to lock up any items you will be moving yourself. This includes picture albums, clothing for at least a week for each family member, and any other items you do not want them to move. These items either need to be packed up in your vehicle or u-haul or put in a room that can be locked that the movers cannot get to.
Also, make sure to remove all trash from in and around the house. Yes, they have been known to pack and move trash before!
Arrange to have at least one adult for each packer. You will need to “supervise” them as much as humanly possible in order to tell them where each box will go in the next house, as well as to make sure the correct items are being placed on the inventory sheet. This also allows you to make sure that items are being properly wrapped to reduce the likelihood of breakage.
On the day the packers arrive and then again when the movers arrive (this is usually on different days), make sure to have plenty of snacks and drinks not only for you and your family but for the movers as well! I cannot stress this enough!
Also, make sure you feed the packers and movers. Since you cannot leave while they are there, I would suggest ordering pizza. Remember, they are handling all of your precious belongings. When you are nice and courteous to them, they tend to take better care of your “stuff”.
I could go on and on with tips for a TMO move, instead I will direct you to the PCS Section that has all my tips in one central location.
Good luck on your move and let me know how it goes!
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