The Ultimate PCS Guide for a Move with Military Movers: CONUS Edition

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PCS-ing is, for better or worse, one of the most iconic parts of military life. If there is one thing everybody knows about military families, it’s that they “move around a lot”. So, milspouse to milspouse, you definitely need a PCS guide!

As a ‘seasoned’ military spouse, I have six PCS-es under my belt. We’ve done 5 CONUS and 1 OCONUS moves. And for each one, we’ve used military movers.

This PCS guide is basically a HUGE timeline of what you need to do and when you need to do it:

Months in Advance

You will probably get orders months in advance. (I’ve heard horror stories of families getting orders just weeks before a move, but it’s never happened to us.)

When you get ‘hard’ orders, start planning right away. Don’t wait until the last minute to try to do everything all at once. It’s not worth the stress!

Here’s what you need to do first:

Begin Research

When you officially know where you’re going and when you’re going there, it’s time to start researching your new duty station!

First, you have to figure out where you want to live.

Do you want to live on- or off-post?
What are the good and bad areas around your new duty station?
Will your kids attend the schools on-post, or will they go to the local school(s)?
What area do you need to live in for the school that you want?
What is the traffic like around post?

After you figure out where you want to live, it’s time to find a realtor or rental property.

If you’re going to live on-post, call housing. Tell them your PCS date and ask what the projected timeline is for moving into a house. If they have a waiting list, get your name on it as soon as possible.

Sunset outside of the Texas house. — *(Finding a good house in a good neighborhood makes ALL the difference at a duty station!)*

Schedule Movers

As soon as you get orders, you can schedule your movers. I highly recommend doing it as soon as possible, especially if you’re moving during peak PCS season (May-September).

You can schedule HHG shipments online through the Defense Personal Property System (DPS). You can also use this site to track your shipment and file claims.

PCS Guide: How to move with the military. — *(What’s a PCS guide without a picture of a moving truck?)*

Make a Timeline

Making a timeline is one of the most helpful tips in this PCS guide.

To make a timeline, sit down with your service member and write down all the important dates. Start at the ‘end’, the report date, and work backwards:

report date to new duty station
number of allotted travel days
any leave you might be taking (including permissive TDY for house hunting)
last day at old duty station
movers’ last day
packers’ last day
cleaning/last-minute tasks week
moving company walk-through
30-day mark (notify utilities, landlord, etc.)
date to complete purging and organizing

You will almost inevitably have to adjust the timeline at some point, but having a master list of tasks in the order that they need to be completed is invaluable!

Timeline of our PCS from Fort Cavazos, Texas to Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. — *(This was the timeline for our PCS to Hawaii. A CONUS move will have less steps because you don’t have to ship your car!)*

Make Lists

If you’ve been around the blog long, then you know I LOVE a good list. And this PCS guide is no exception!

Seriously, you’re gonna need a couple of lists to get through a PCS. So, start a note in your phone or, better yet, buy a pretty new notebook!

Some things you’re going to need to keep track of:

rooms/things you’ve purged or still need to purge
utility companies that you need to schedule shut-offs with
packing lists for things to take with you (not going with the HHG shipment)
things to do before a move-out inspection/realtor pictures

The list goes on and on! As you can tell by the length of this PCS guide, there are SO MANY things to keep track of when you’re packing up and moving your family’s entire lives.

Figure Out the Current House

Owners

If you own your house, you have to decide whether to sell it or rent it out.

If you’re selling, you need to find a realtor. Let them know your PCS date, and they will help you decide the best timeline for putting it on the market.

If you plan to keep the house and rent it out, you need to find a property management company.

Either way, you’ll need to start making any needed repairs to get the best price for your home.

PCS Guide: Some of the cute little houses we've rented during our time in the military. — *(Some of the cute little houses we’ve rented during his Army career.)*

Renters

If you are renting, you need to put in any work orders that you’ve been procrastinating on. If you wait until after the 30-day mark, those repair costs could be your responsibility.

Most rental companies, including on-post housing, require a 30-day move-out notice and a copy of your orders, especially if you are breaking the lease.

Know Your Rights

Federal law, through the Service Members Civil Relief Act, grants qualifying service members the legal right to break a lease without penalty due to military orders.

Plan for Pets

Make a plan for what you’re going to do with your pets during your PCS. For the most part, a CONUS move with pets is pretty simple.

You’ll need to make sure their vaccines are up to date and request medical records from your current vet. They can usually send them via email.

Then you have to decide how you’re going to transport them to your new duty station. Our big dog rides in his kennel in the back of the truck, while our cat rides in the backseat with the kids during the drive.

PCS Guide: Plan for how you're going to PCS with your pets.

(Meet Milo and Nalu!)

Pet-friendly hotels

If you are traveling with pets, you need to find hotels that allow them to stay. Here are pet-friendly hotels that can be found across the U.S:

Red Roof Inn (no pet fee)
Motel 6 (no pet fee)
Kimpton Hotels (no pet fee)
Best Western (no pet fee)
La Quinta Inns & Suites ($25/night)
Drury Hotel ($50/night)
Sonesta Hotels ($75 total stay)

Call ahead of time to check the pet fees at these hotels. This is just what I found during a quick Google search.

Each hotel also has restrictions on the number and size of pets allowed. Some hotels also have breed restrictions, so you’ll need to verify that ahead of time also.

PCS Guide: Find pet friendly hotels to stay at during your PCS. — *(Settling down at a hotel after a long day of driving.)*

Start the Purge

It’s never too early to start cleaning out before your big move. I usually start purging 3-4 months in advance. And I always end up making multiple trips to our local thrift store to donate stuff!

PCS Guide: Helpful Tips

One: After the purge is complete, when everything in the house is nice and neat, take pictures! Take pictures of your furniture, TVs, electronics, and serial numbers when possible. If the movers or packers break or lose anything, you’ll have proof of the item’s condition before moving.
Two: Put all of these pictures into a labeled file in your phone so they’re easy to find if you need them.
Three: Check your holiday decor totes to make sure stuff is packed well. Most times, the packers don’t take things out of already packed totes, and they get shipped ‘as is’. (We’ve lost dozens of Christmas ornaments this way.)

Eat Through Your Cabinets

It seems silly to say, but eat your food before it’s time to move.

At our last duty station, my parents gifted us ‘half a cow’ for Christmas. So, we had a freezer full of meat. In the months leading up to our move, we planned our meals around the food in the freezer and pantry so that none of it would go to waste.

Most moving companies accept canned goods and other non-perishable items. However, those can get heavy and contribute to your HHG weight allowance. So, it’s best not to take tons of it with you from place to place.

Figure Out Your Travel Plans

The actual travelling is the least stressful part of a PCS, at least for me. I LOVE a good road trip!

Granted, during a PCS, we’re usually pulling a trailer and have both vehicles packed to the roof! But I still love seeing new places, trying new restaurants, and stopping to see friends and family along the way!

You don’t have to book hotels this early, but figure out the general route that you’re going to take.

I ALWAYS check to see if there is a National Park or major attraction enroute to the new duty station. If there are friends or family along the way, I send a message to see if they might want to grab dinner or have a quick visit.

Some of our best travel memories were made during a PCS!

PCS Guide: Baby's first PCS. — *(Rite of passage for military kids: Baby’s First PCS!)*

30 Days Out

The time to move is getting closer!

Being 30 days out from a PCS starts to make things ‘more real’. And it also means that you have a lot to do!

Moving Co. Walk-Through

About 2-4 weeks ahead of your pack-out date, a representative from the moving company will come do a walk-through of your house.

They’re making note of how many beds and TVs you have because they bring special boxes for those. They will also make note of any specialty items you have that may require wood crating. You also have to let them know if you are shipping any firearms.

While they’re not specifically there to ‘judge’ the cleanliness of your house, they have the right to reject taking you as a client if you have biohazardous material in your home (i.e., animal feces, mold, bug/mice infestation, etc.).

They will also give you a list of items that they do not accept, such as paint, aerosols, liquids, open food, candles, etc.

*(People complain about military movers, but we’ve had pretty good experiences, so far!)*

Make the Calls

30-35 days before your move-out date, you need to contact your landlord and utility companies. Depending on the lease or contract you signed, you may need to provide them with a copy of your orders.

Here’s who you need to call:

landlord/property management (renters)
electric company
water company
internet service (you may have to turn in your router/modem)
trash pick-up (they may have to schedule a date to pick up your trash can)
any other utility/service that is connected to your address

Renters also need to schedule their move-out inspection.

PCS Guide: How to do a military move. — *(Make sure you take some pictures of the chaos. After all, these are your family’s memories.)*

Book Hotels

Now is the time to book a hotel at your next duty station. Even if you already have a house ready to go, you might still need a hotel for the day/night you arrive.

We don’t normally book hotels in advance for our road trip. We typically find a hotel when we are ready to quit driving for the day, and it’s never been an issue.

PCS Guide: Wait until the 'last minute' to pull the kids out of school. — *(Military kids are some of the coolest kids on the planet!)*

Last Minute Tasks

During this last month of ‘normalcy’ in your house, there are a lot of last-minute tasks before the packers and movers arrive.

They might look like this:

take donation items to your local thrift store/shelter
schedule a bulk trash pick-up or take a load of large items to the dump
finalize your packing lists
make sure you have enough luggage and totes
get an oil change in your vehicle(s)
do any last-minute purging and organizing

*(Enjoy your washer and dryer while you still have them. You’ll be seeing a lot of laundromats for a while.)*

Week Of the Movers’ Arrival

The week of the movers’ arrival is such a whirlwind. There are so many things that need to be done. However, all the purging and organizing you did should make it easier.

Here’s what you need to do:

Clean

You should clean your house three to four days before the packers come.

Everything needs to be dusted and vacuumed.

When cleaning the kitchen, make sure that there is no food stuck on any of the dishes or tupperware. If you store food in plastic containers, empty and wash them so they’re ready to be packed.

Wash any blankets, bedding, or rugs that may need it. And NOW is the time to make sure you are caught up on laundry. You will no longer have access to your washer or dryer after the end of the week.

Clean your outdoor stuff – toys, patio furniture, tools, lawnmowers, etc. These items must be clean before the movers take them. They can’t have any dirt, leaves, spiderwebs, etc. on them. So, set aside some time this week to clean it.

PCS Guide: Helpful Tips

One: Vacuum your furniture REALLY well. You don’t want any food or crumbs left in it that might attract pests once it’s stored in a warehouse somewhere.
Two: Pull out your furniture and vacuum behind/underneath it so you’re not embarrassed when it’s moved and there’s a mountain of dust bunnies and crumbs.
Three: Empty oil and gas from any of your machines (lawn mowers, weed eaters, generators, etc.). Movers will not take anything that has oil or gas in it.

Make a ‘Do NOT Pack’ Room

One of the best things you can do to prepare for the chaotic packing and moving days is to create a ‘Do NOT Pack’ room in your house.

I know it’s easier said than done, but it’s worth the hassle. (If there’s one thing you take from this PCS guide, let it be this!)

You need to sequester your packed suitcases and everything you need to ‘camp’ in your empty house (air mattresses, basic pots & pans, etc.). You will be ‘camping’ in your current house until your move-out date. You will also have to ‘camp’ in your new house until your HHG shipment arrives.

If you don’t have a room that you can completely clear out, make a ‘Do NOT Pack’ area in one of the bedrooms. Put everything in a corner and put signs on it that say ‘DO NOT PACK’ in BOLD letters. Also, explicitly tell the packers/movers working in that room not to pack those things.

You can also put your ‘Do NOT Pack’ items in your vehicle. However, it gets tedious dragging them in and out each day.

During a PCS, clear out a room to make a 'Do NOT Pack' room. — *(Our ‘Do NOT Pack’ room in North Carolina was the kid’s playroom.)*

Take Down Decor

A day or two before the packers arrive, take all the decor, curtains, and curtain rods off your walls.

The packers can pack those items, but they aren’t allowed to take them down. (At least, that’s what we’ve been told on every move.)

After you take everything down, stack it neatly against the wall in each room.

PCS Guide Pro Tip

Don’t forget your shower curtain, but make sure you leave a shower curtain liner up in at least one bathroom so you can shower while you ‘camp out’ in the house. Put a ‘Do NOT Pack’ sticky note on the liner, just in case.

*(Rooms look so weird with furniture in them, but nothing on the walls.)*

Pack Your Totes & Suitcases

Start packing your suitcases and totes two days before the packers arrive. Put all of the clothes that you’re keeping with you in your suitcases.

Pack all of the things you need to ‘camp’ in your empty houses in totes (i.e. air mattresses, bedding, towels, toiletries, basic cooking supplies, basic cleaning supplies, etc.)

Put all of this stuff in your ‘Do NOT Pack’ room/area.

All of our suitcases and totes to load up for our PCS to Hawaii. — *(This was all the stuff we traveled with during our PCS to Hawaii.)*

Day Before Packers

It’s almost here, the packers arrive tomorrow! Here’s what you need to do before they get here:

Get Drinks & Snacks

Buy drinks and snacks for your packers. Some people argue that packers are ‘more important’ than movers. These are the people who touch every single item you own. They pretty much control how much of your stuff is going to make it through the move.

If your dishes, picture frames, trinkets, books, etc., aren’t packed correctly, then they may be broken when they arrive at your next house. ALWAYS treat these workers (typically a team of 3 women) with respect.

I don’t usually get lunch for the packers because they have a vehicle that they can leave to go get lunch. But I always make sure that I have some cold drinks, a basket of snacks, and maybe a tray of fruit for them.

*(It’s hard to show hospitality when you have nothing but empty rooms, but it’s nice to at least try!)*

Last Little Clean

Before the packers come, I always do one last clean sweep the night before they arrive. It looks like this:

sweep/vacuum
run and empty the dishwasher
do laundry and put it away
make sure everything is picked up and put in its place

Finalize the ‘Do NOT Pack’ Room

Before we go to bed, we make sure that our packed suitcases are put away in the ‘Do NOT Pack’ room.

We also pack our totes and put them in there. Not only does this prevent those items from getting packed up, but we also make sure that everything fits in the totes. If it doesn’t, then we have to go buy more.

After everything is packed and put away, make and put up signs that say ‘Do NOT Pack’. We made ours with sticky notes and Sharpies, but anything works, as long as it’s bold and legible.

Put the sign on the door to the room and keep the door closed!

PCS Guide: How to move with military movers. — *(Boxes on top of boxes.)*

Day Of Packers

The day that the packers come to pack up nearly everything you own is here! Honestly, there’s not much for you to do on this day, as they do most of the work for you. However, this is what I do:

Get up early! The packers usually arrive around 8:00 a.m., and there are a few things you need to do before they get here.

Make sure that everything you want to keep is in the ‘Do NOT Pack’ room. I know you did some of this last night, but there are a few things to check:

toothbrushes, towels, and toiletries you used this morning
dish soap, coffee pot, and anything else you used this morning
electronics and chargers that you or the kids used last night
pet food, beds, litter, food/water bowls, etc. that was used last night
the blankets/bedding you used last night
toys that the kids played with last night/this morning
make sure there is a ‘Do NOT Pack’ sticky note on the shower curtain liner
empty your trash cans!

PCS Guide Pro Tip

It is VERY important to empty all of your trash cans (kitchen, bathrooms, garage, etc.). I’ve heard horror stories of packers who packed the trash cans full of garbage, and it made the whole shipment smell awful. So, make sure the trash cans are empty!

Put Your Animals Away

Per company policy, you have to keep your animals kenneled or outside when the packers and movers are at your house. Understandably, it’s to keep their employees from getting bitten (and yes, it happens more than you think).

However, you can ask them if it’s okay to let them out. If they say no, you have to respect that. By not doing as they ask, you run the risk that they will leave and not come back to finish the job. And now you’re stuck with a DITY move.

If you have a cat, I highly recommend you keep it kenneled or kept in the ‘Do NOT Pack’ room. I’ve heard horror stories of families that thought their cat slipped outside and ran away while the packers and movers were going in and out. Only to find out that the cat was hiding in a box or a piece of furniture that got packed up. They received their HHGs at their new home with the smell of a dead animal and broken hearts over what had happened.

PCS Guide Pro Tip

Make sure you know where your cat is at ALL times when the packers and movers are at your house.

Day of Movers

Now that the packers are done and your house is FULL of boxes, the movers are on their way!

Get up early and do the same routine you did when the packers were coming.

move all of the necessary items to the ‘Do NOT Pack’ room/area
put your pets away
empty the trash cans
figure out something for lunch

Unlike the team of packers, the movers arrive in a big truck. They can’t leave to go get lunch. So, it would be really nice of you to have cold drinks and lunch for them.

We usually do something easy, like sandwiches from Subway, pizza, fried chicken, and sides from a local deli, etc.

I know money is tight during a PCS, so if you can’t afford to feed them lunch, don’t worry about it. But try to have some cold bottled water on hand if you can.

*(The way our couch arrived to Hawaii.)*

Day(s) After the Movers

The movers came and went, and your house is almost empty! However, according to this PCS guide, you STILL have things to do.

Since you no longer have anything to sit or sleep on, it’s time to pull out the camp chairs and air mattresses. Camping in your own house isn’t fun, but it’s pretty much unavoidable during a PCS.

You also have to figure out what to do with the things the movers left behind. (There’s usually some cleaners, paint, plants, candles, food, etc.) We give some of these things away, and some we pack into a tote and take with us.

Over the last couple of days, you’ve likely just thrown things into the ‘Do NOT Pack’ room. So, you need to take the time to reorganize your suitcases and totes.

And before you finally leave this home and move on to the next, you have to do a move-out clean. Cleaning an empty house doesn’t sound hard, but it’s more exhausting than you think.

PCS Guide: Learn how to camp in your house until you get your household goods. — *(The kids loved ‘camping’ in our empty houses when they were little!)*

School Transfer

I try to leave my kids in school for as long as possible. Not only does it keep them out of the house while the packers and movers are there, but it also gives them a sense of normalcy for a few more days.

So, I wait until the ‘last minute’ to pull them out. Since everything is electronic, the school will email their transcripts when the kids are enrolled in their new school. All you have to do is fill out a form to withdraw them from their current school.

PCS Guide: Enrolling kids in their new school. — *(Enrolling the girls at their new school in North Carolina.)*

Pack Up the Car

FINALLY, this stage of your PCS is over!

All that’s left to do is turn in the keys, pack up the car, and head to your new duty station!

PCS Guide Pro Tip

Don’t forget to remove any food from the fridge/freezer and take out the trash that you have in the house. You don’t want to be charged by the property management company for leaving anything behind.

Honestly, this PCS guide wears me out just looking at it. Moving is such an extensive and exhausting process, even with help from packers and movers. Yet, military families do it over and over again.

I hope this PCS guide helps you prepare for your next move and that you love your next duty station even more than the last!

Happy PCS-ing, friends!