In the military, PCS stands for Permanent Change of Station, and if you’re a family man in the military, this can be quite the ordeal. You’ve got to move all the way across the country, in some cases; and across the world in others.
You’re lucky if you end up moving somewhere within a day’s drive from where you were but chances are you may receive PCS orders many times. Expedite the process of moving with a few strategies listed below.
If you’re looking for moving tips, remember that moving is never an easy task and moving homes can be an exhausting venture. We can all use some handy moving tips when we’re packing our entire life in only a few boxes. We’ve felt the stress of moving your whole family from one place to another which is why we created this list for you.
But packing everything up isn’t the only thing you need to do as you go about traveling to a new place. Listed below are several things worth considering when PCS orders come in:
Finding Your New Home
The first thing you’ll want to do after you’ve received PCS orders is research where your new quarters are going to be, how much they’re going to cost, and what is available to you.
If you’re a single individual, you’ll likely find military housing at your new location. This can be true for families, too. Sometimes you’ll have to get more creative.
Know where you’re going to land before you launch!
Establishing Available Funds
Something else you want to do is find a bank and open an account remotely if you can, so you’ve got a reservoir of assets should some unexpected contingency throw your plans out of whack.
You want to have cash with you during the journey, leave some up in your previous location, and open up a new account.
Once you arrive and get unpacked, you can deposit your cash funds into the new bank, and perhaps close the old one. During the transit, you need assets available of the non-digital variety for emergencies.
Establishing A Route, And A Travel Time
You need to know the safest, quickest, and the most secure route from your current location to your new station. You want to leave at the right time. For example, if you’re leaving LA for Wyoming, you want to get out of the City of Angels later at night, otherwise, it’ll cost you an extra two hours in traffic drudgery as you head toward Barstow.
Tying Up Loose Ends
Before you leave, you want to tie up all your loose ends. You’ve got friends, so does your family so get their contact information like phone numbers and email addresses—assets in terms of money are only one kind.
You want relational assets as well, and this can be an advantage of the traveling military lifestyle. Don’t leave any acrimony behind you if at all possible for the same reason.
Taking Time Off
You’ve got an adjustment, and you’ve got a date that represents when you must be active at your new station. If you’re traveling across the country, budget at least six days for packing and driving, and six days for arrival and unpacking.
Next, schedule a day or two to have fun with the family and explore your new surroundings. This will all depend, of course, on how long until you have to report to your new station. The more time you can spend getting your bearings, the better the transition will be.
Getting It Down To A Science
You’re going to need to move, in all likelihood, multiple times throughout your tenure with the military. If you can get the process down to a science, you’ll get more time off and be able to more cohesively enjoy the experience. Yes, moving is a hassle. But it’s also an adventure. Remember that, and enjoy what you can!
