A career in the military offers many opportunities, from the time you begin military service through your upward progression in rank. In this chapter, we review benefits and programs that are directly related to your military career cycle, including enlistment and reenlistment bonuses, advice and inside tips on getting promoted, commissioning programs that could help you become an officer, and benefits related to deployment and relocation. To prepare for your transition or retirement and to make the most of your military experience in a civilian career, see the Transition chapter.
The Career Benefits of Service
Your military advantage actually begins the moment you enter military service. Before you sign on the dotted line, ask your recruiter about benefits such as the GI Bill, college funds, college loan repayment and deferment, and cash bonuses, all of which are detailed in other chapters of this book.
Enlistment Bonuses
In addition to the training you receive in your occupation or career field, one of the first, very tangible benefits you may get when you join the military is an enlistment bonus. The amount depends on the service branch, occupational specialty, and length of service commitment. Enlistment bonuses are not offered as frequently as they were in the past due to current efforts to reduce the size of the military. To qualify for an enlistment bonus, you usually have to fulfill certain academic requirements (i.e., you have completed high school or a certain number of G.E.D. credits) and score well on the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery exam, a generalized test that prospective enlisted recruits must take.
The Career Advantage at a Glance
The Career Benefits of Service
• Enlistment Bonuses
• Pay Grades
• Advanced Enlistment Rank
• Tips for Evaluations
• Promotion/Advancement and Commissioning
Post-Deployment and Demobilization
• Permanent Change of Station Orders
• Tips and Benefits
• Personally Procured Moves
• Transporting Pets
• Relocation Checklists
Enlistment bonuses are constantly changing depending on service needs—ask your recruiter about current bonuses if you are considering joining the service.
Take Advantage
For tips, practice entrance tests, basic training advice, updated enlistment bonuses, and everything else you need to know about joining the military, visit www.military.com/joining.
Take Advantage
For ASVAB study tips, examples of how your score affects your military career options, and practice tests, visit www.military.com/ASVAB.
Pay Grades
Servicemembers are paid according to their rank and time in service. There are three separate rank systems, and within these rank structures there are numerous pay levels, or pay grades:
• Officers—10 ranks (pay grades) ranging from O-1 to O-10.
• Warrant officers—5 ranks (pay grades) ranging from W-1 to W-5. (Air Force does not have Warrant Officers.)
• Enlisted—9 ranks (pay grades) ranging from E-1 to E-9.
Advanced Enlistment Rank
Recruiters can offer you the chance to enter the service at a higher pay grade, called an Advanced Enlistment Rank. Of course, an advanced rank means more basic pay, and a head start on reaching higher pay grades. If you qualify, you may enter at Enlisted Pay Grade E-2 or E-3 instead of the usual E-1. To qualify, you generally must score high on the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) test and meet other criteria, such as having college credit or a special skill. Be sure to ask your recruiter about advanced rank.
You may also have the opportunity to enter service as an officer, depending on your qualifications (if you are a physician, lawyer, or engineer, for example), or if you are eligible to enter an officer training program. For more details on these opportunities, look at programs for specific service branches in the Professional Development in the Military section in this chapter.
For more on both enlisted and officer pay, see the Pay chapter.
For every day that you serve, the military rewards you by providing housing, meals, vacation, and more, in addition to your basic pay. Some of the major rewards you receive for serving your country include:
• 30 days’ paid vacation.
• Health care (TRICARE).
• Meals or a cash allowance for meals.
• Housing or an allowance for housing.
• Life insurance.
• Travel.
• Veterans benefits.
• Military discounts.
• Commissary and exchange shopping privileges.
• Training and leadership development.
• Education (GI Bill, tuition assistance, grants, and scholarships).
Professional Development in the Military
Military service provides opportunities to move up through the ranks, and gain more responsibility, new skills, and more pay and benefits. The following gives you a basic understanding of how military advancement systems work for active-duty personnel, and how you can make them work for you. Although the systems for the Reserve and Guard have some similarities, you can find specific information on Reserve and Guard promotions and advancements at www.military.com/militarycareers.
Each branch of the Armed Forces has its own process for promoting (also known as “advancing”) servicemembers. All promotion systems have the same aim: to select officers and enlisted personnel who have demonstrated that they possess the right qualifications, integrity, and ability to successfully perform the duties expected of the next higher pay grade. Generally, promotions are made as vacancies occur so that the strength of the military is maintained within each pay grade.
How quickly you are advanced or promoted in the military sometimes depends on whether the next highest rank is “undermanned” or not. For example, if you’re an E-4 and many E-5 slots are available, you’ll have a greater chance of quick advancement to E-5. Of course, your own performance is the other major factor.
Officer promotions are determined by selection boards, which are composed of senior officers. The Secretary of Defense (or Secretary of Homeland Security for the Coast Guard) convenes the boards every year to select officers for ranks higher than O-2. Selection boards are expected to be impartial and confidential; they submit their findings and recommendations but not the reasons for their decisions. Most officer promotions also require confirmation by the United States Senate.
The officer promotion process is controlled by laws, regulations, and administrative procedures that take the following conditions into account:
• Authorized strength—the number of officers in a particular category specified for a grade or combination of grades.
• Promotion flow point—the number of years of commissioned service at which most officers would be promoted to the next higher grade.
• Promotion percentage—the number of officers in the promotion level to be selected.
Evaluations: Learn How to SCORE
No matter your rank, you are always being evaluated by your chain of command. This evaluation process begins the day you check in, and can make or break your career and promotion opportunities.
The evaluation system focuses on performance. It all boils down to how well you do your job. To make sure you get the best evaluation possible, follow this simple five-step system, which we call SCORE.
Step 1. Start by reading your service’s promotion regulations. Understanding how the process works is key to making it work for you. Pay particular attention to appropriate evaluation forms for your rank.
Step 2. Communicate. Talk with your evaluator (most likely your supervisor) about your performance report. Go over the form line by line to determine expectations. Ask your evaluator for advice on how to improve your evaluation report and get the highest score possible.
Step 3. Take every Opportunity you can to demonstrate the level of performance suggested by your evaluator. Be sure to take the initiative and show that you’re committed to performing at the highest level.
Step 4. Record your personal performance by keeping a performance journal. Note the times and situations when you demonstrated skills, initiative, leadership, and performance.
Step 5. Evaluate yourself. Complete your own evaluation report, including documentation and support information. After all, this is your career, and you are the only one who knows exactly what you have accomplished during the evaluation period.
Your evaluator has a rough job. He or she has to monitor you and your team’s performance throughout the entire evaluation period. It is nearly impossible for an evaluator to remember every detail about your performance; in fact, evaluators tend to remember negative situations more often than the positive ones. By following the SCORE system, you make your evaluator’s job easier and help support your overall evaluation.
Take Advantage
An accurate personnel record is vital to your getting promoted. One missing award, evaluation, or qualification letter can mean the end to your chances for promotion. Request a copy of your personnel record from your personnel center periodically and check to ensure it is accurate and up to date.
Take Advantage
Some military membership organizations, such as the Naval Reserve Association, offer their members extremely thorough reviews of their records. See www.navy-reserve.org and other organizations at www.military.com/associations.
The Perception of Performance
What’s the real difference between the top performers and those in the middle of the pack? Are performance evaluations grounded in objective criteria or subjective factors? To this second question, there is almost certainly truth to both possibilities, but how our superiors view us is often the single greatest factor in career advancement. The good news is that each of us has the opportunity to affect this perception to great professional advantage.
In an informal poll, senior military and corporate executives most frequently cited the following five descriptions as belonging to excellent performers. Use this list to help you consider how your boss may view you:
1. Sets and exceeds expectations. Can you get the job done? Does your boss count on you to take guidance, ask appropriate questions, shape the objective, and execute the plan? In many cases, setting and exceeding your boss’s expectations are even more important than the final outcome. Surprisingly, most senior leaders claim to have only a few “go-to” people that they can consistently rely upon to get the job done. You should be one of these people.
2. Communicates solidly. Are you a good presenter, speaker, and writer? The ability to make thoughtful and persuasive arguments, handle expectations, and coordinate assets and resources is a prerequisite for success. Great communicators can also operate up and down the chain of command. Good communication, perhaps more than any other single factor, can have a favorable impact on perceptions.
3. Leads effectively. The ability to build, manage, and motivate a great team is probably the most common characteristic of a successful leader. The best leaders identify and nurture the individual talents of team members—utilizing their advantages and compensating for weaknesses.
4. Takes the initiative. Do you approach your job with enthusiasm and a commitment to the organization and team? Do you have a dogged determination to drive toward a favorable conclusion? Taking the initiative is the surest way to signal your desire for advancement and inspire confidence in your ability to assume additional responsibility. Managers want people on their team who eagerly take on challenges and exhibit the kind of energy that spurs others to follow. Having to wage a regular battle to motivate a team member gets old quickly—and rarely leads to high marks for anyone.
5. Demonstrates honesty. Can you be trusted to do the right thing?
Take Advantage
Organize all of your military paperwork. Your files should include folders for pay stubs, promotion papers, medical records, etc. Doing this will save you endless hours of sifting through paperwork before evaluation time. Also, keep copies of everything— this will help you when you build your portfolio.
Take Advantage
Be on time, be motivated, and be known. Make sure you remain a presence in your group. If someone with a higher rank asks for volunteers, make sure that person knows you’re available to help. Little things like these will score big when it is time to submit your promotion packet.
Each of us brings to the workplace different levels of each of these five traits. Leaders who offered perspectives for this book said that their best people had a balanced portfolio of skills. Although extraordinary performance in one or more areas is great, top performers usually meet a minimum threshold in each. Generally speaking, superior communication skills, exceeding expectations, and enthusiasm are the three most important indicators of success. The other two can be viewed as subsets of the big three. If you can get the job done, communicate effectively, and do it with energy and enthusiasm, you are destined for great things—managers will rely on you, peers will like you, and subordinates will learn from you.
The ability to view yourself and your performance through the eyes of your superior is a critical part of your career development. In your career, perception is reality—and the impression you make should be actively and thoughtfully managed.
Pay raises are often celebrated because they can increase your standard of living. However, every time you are advanced, promoted, or receive a pay raise, consider directing at least half of the increase to other goals. Automatically depositing money in a savings account, increasing or starting your TSP contributions, or paying down debt are all examples of making the most of your pay raise.
Source: USAA
Air Force Promotion System
The Air Force has separate promotion systems for enlisted airmen and commissioned officers. In general, both Air Force promotion systems are based on a combination of performance evaluations, experience, and oftentimes selection boards. However, the Airman Promotion System differs by incorporating the Weighted Airman Promotion System (WAPS), which uses points to rate servicemembers’ standing for promotion.
Military Career Matters
The Air Force now offers Career Development Course volumes online for use as promotion study material. The library is available to .mil users only at http://cdc.aetc.af.mil.
The Weighted Airman Promotion System (WAPS)
If you are eligible for promotion based on your time in service, time in grade, skill level, and commander’s recommendation, then the WAPS points system will apply to you. If you are among those with the most WAPS points in your Air Force Specialty Code, you will be promoted.
Contact
Visit www.military.com/usafpromotions to learn more about the Air Force promotion system.
Air Force Commissioning Programs
The Air Force offers several ways to earn a commission and join the Officer Corps. Some programs are accelerated—you get on a faster track to a promotion as well as enhanced pay and benefits. The following are descriptions of each of the Air Force Enlisted to Officer Commissioning Programs.
Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) units are located at selected colleges and universities throughout the United States. Upon graduation and successful completion of required courses and training, a cadet is appointed a Second Lieutenant in the United States Air Force Reserve.
Contact
For more information on Air Force ROTC, visit www.afoats.af.mil.
The Scholarships for Outstanding Airmen to ROTC (SOAR) program is designed to nominate up to 50 people for ROTC scholarships, which pay most tuition and all fees. SOARs are awarded for two to four years, depending on how many years you have remaining in your bachelor’s degree program. Airmen with some or no college credit may apply. Scholarships are awarded in a variety of fields, including technical (engineering, meteorology, architecture, etc.), nontechnical, nursing, pre-health, and foreign language areas. SOAR cadets are provided with a tuition and fees scholarship not to exceed a set amount each year. To learn more, contact an Air Force advisor.
Contact
For more information on the Airman Education and Commissioning Program, see www.afrotc.com/scholarships/enlschol/aecp.
The Airman Education and Commissioning Program (AECP) offers active-duty enlisted personnel the opportunity to earn a commission while completing a bachelor’s degree. AECP cadets remain on active duty and are assigned to an AFROTC detachment, where their job is to go to school as a full-time college student.
In addition to receiving full pay and benefits, AECP cadets are provided with a tuition/fees scholarship of up to $15,000 per year and an annual textbook allowance of $600. Students may not pay the difference to attend higher-cost schools.
Professional Officer Course-Early Release Program (POC-ERP) offers active-duty Airmen (who can complete all bachelor’s degree and commissioning requirements within two years) an opportunity for an early release from the active-duty Air Force to enter the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC). Program graduates earn a commission as second lieutenants. To learn more about POC-ERP, contact an Air Force advisor.
The Air Force Leaders Encouraging Airman Development Program (LEAD) gives enlisted airmen the opportunity to compete for admission to the U.S. Air Force Academy where they can earn a degree and a commission. Airmen also have the option of attending the Air Force Academy Preparatory School. For a complete list of eligibility requirements, application evaluation factors, and procedures, visit the U.S. Air Force Academy admissions website at www.academyadmissions.com.
Contact
For more information on how to enter the Air Force Academy, see www.usafa.af.mil.
The Academy Preparatory School, better known as the “Prep School,” is a 10-month school designed to prepare qualified young men and women to enter the U.S. Air Force Academy. Located on the Academy grounds, the Prep School’s program emphasizes the same four areas as the Academy: academic, military, athletic, and character development.
The Nurse Enlisted Commissioning Program (NECP) gives Airmen the opportunity to earn a bachelor’s degree in nursing. Through NECP Airmen can remain on active duty while going to school full time. NECP covers tuition and fees for up to $15,000 per year, including a textbook allowance of $600 per year. NECP students earn their commission after they pass the National Council Licensure Examination and complete the Air Force Officer Training School and the Nurse Transition Program.
Contact
For more information on the Air Force Officer Training School, see www.ots.afoats.afmil or the Air Force Recruiting home page at www.airforce.com.
Air Force Officer Training School (OTS) is located at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, and provides a 12-week basic officer training course that commissions 1,000 officers annually. The program is designed for college graduates pursuing a commission in the Air Force.
Airman Scholarship and Commissioning Program (ASCP) is for selected Airmen who are released from active duty and enlisted in the Air Force Reserve (Obligated Reserve Section). The ASCP program offers active-duty enlisted personnel the opportunity to earn a commission while completing their bachelor’s degree as an Air Force ROTC cadet. Cadets receive a scholarship for tuition and fees up to $15,000 per year, as well as a textbook allowance of $600 per year. ASCP scholarships are available for two to four years and are open. Airmen with some or no college credit may apply for the program. If selected, Airmen may use GI Bill benefits and also receive a tax-free monthly stipend of $250 to $400 depending on what year of school they are in. Graduates are commissioned as second lieutenants and will then be returned to active duty (typically within 60 days of commissioning) for at least four years.
The Physician Assistant Training Program offers qualified individuals the advanced training they need to provide expert medical care to military personnel and their families. Only active duty Airmen are eligible to apply for this program.
To learn more about Air Force commissioning programs contact an Air Force advisor or recruiter.
Contact
Visit www.military.com/armypromotions to learn more about the Army promotion system.
Army Promotion System
The Army’s enlisted promotion-system requirements and processes differ for each pay grade. Soldiers are given points for several factors including performance of duty, awards, decorations, achievements, weapons qualifications, military and civilian education, and the points that are assigned by the promotion board.
The promotion board rates your personal appearance, self-confidence, bearing, communication skills, knowledge of world affairs, awareness of military programs, knowledge of basic soldiering, and attitude. The board may award a candidate up to 150 promotion points. Depending on your current pay grade, the points will determine whether you will be promoted.
Army enlisted promotions for grades E-7 and above are handled by the Centralized Selection Board, which consists of officers and NCOs, with a general officer serving as the board president. The boards are divided into 9 to 11 separate panels, which in turn review your records.
All of your records are rank-ordered by the selection board members. The Army then takes all selectees, without regard to Military Occupational Specialty (MOS), and assigns them a promotion sequence number, according to seniority. Monthly announcements include the sequence numbers of those who are promoted.
Contact
Learn more about the U.S. Military Academy at www.usma.edu.
Army Commissioning Programs
The U.S. Army offers enlisted soldiers several ways to earn a commission and join the Officer Corps. Army Enlisted to Officer Programs include the following.
U.S. Military Academy/West Point. Each year, about 200 active-duty Soldiers are offered admission to the U.S. Military Academy, or the Preparatory School at Fort Monmouth, New Jersey. Although some Soldiers are offered direct admission to West Point, most attend the Prep School first. All applications are made directly to West Point, and if you are not directly admitted to West Point, you will be automatically considered for admission to the Prep School.
Admission to West Point is highly competitive, but if you meet the basic eligibility requirements, have achieved competitive SAT or ACT scores, and have earned better than average grades in high school, you are especially encouraged to apply. Those accepted are generally top performers—academically, in sports, and in extracurricular activities.
Contact
For details on how to enroll in Army OCS, visit the Army OCS site at www.armyocs.com.
Officer Candidate School (OCS) is a 12-week program that consists of Basic, Intermediate, and Senior Officer Candidate phases. Army OCS graduates gain the knowledge and skills necessary to be commissioned as an Army Officer. Through classroom instruction and training exercises, Candidates learn to become leaders. Upon completion of OCS, they are commissioned as Army Second Lieutenants.
Contact
For more information on Army ROTC, visit www.armyrotc.com.
Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) units are located at selected colleges and universities throughout the United States. Upon graduation and successful completion of required courses and training, a cadet is commissioned as a second lieutenant in the United States Army or Army Reserve.
The Army normally conducts two ROTC selection boards per year, the first in late fall and the second in mid-winter. Selected applicants for the ROTC Scholarship Program are chosen through a highly competitive national selection process, and receive full tuition, as well as funding for books, fees, and a living allowance.
Army Green to Gold. The Army ROTC Green to Gold Scholarship Program provides selected enlisted Soldiers on active duty an opportunity to complete their baccalaureate degree and obtain a commission through participating in ROTC. Visit www.goarmy.com to download forms and application instructions.
Visit www.goarmy.com/rotc for more details on Army ROTC programs and admissions.
The Army offers a Direct Commission for leaders in professional fields such as law, medicine, and religion, the opportunity to become Army Commissioned Officers. Program graduates are commissioned at a rank that is determined by their career field.
Contact
Career resources for those who wish to become warrant officers are available at www.usawocc.army.mil.
The Army Warrant Officer Appointment Process. Army warrant officers are leaders who specialize in a specific technical area throughout an entire career. The Army Warrant Officer Corps constitutes less than 3 percent of the total Army. Although their group is small in size, the level of responsibility for warrant officers is immense, and only the very best are selected for the role.
Contact
Visit www.military.com/uscgadvancements to learn more about the Coast Guard advancement system.
Coast Guard Promotion System
Like the other four branches of the Armed Forces, the Coast Guard enlisted promotion system differs depending on your pay grade. You are advanced to grades E-5 through E-9 based on a servicewide competition to test your knowledge of your rating and Enlisted Performance Military Education (E-PME). E-PME is part of the advancement process for enlisted members.
E-PME topics include leadership, management, administration, Coast Guard history, heritage of enlisted Coast Guard service, organizational structure and management, personal development, training, education, and wellness.
Candidates are rank-ordered based on their final multiple score (FMS), which is derived from seven factors:
The Coast Guard is phasing the new Enlisted Rating Advancement Training System (ERATS). The new servicewide exam eligibility requirements will be based on meeting the new Rating Performance Qualifications (RPQ), completing the new Performance Qualification Guide (PQG), and passing the required Rating Advancement Test (RAT). ERATS will be in effect for all ratings by 2015.
Take Advantage
Fred’s Place, the largest Coast Guard community on the Internet, posts the latest official Coast Guard promotion news, for both active-duty and Reserve members. Visit www.fredsplace.org/announce.
Take Advantage
To improve your servicewide competition score, form or join study groups, review past correspondence course quizzes, and request assignments that will increase your rate knowledge.
• SWE exam score.
• Performance factor.
• Time in service (TIS).
• Time in grade in present rating (TIR).
• Medals and awards.
• Sea duty.
• Surf duty.
Contact
For updated direct commission listings, or for how to apply, see www.gocoastguard.com/dc/dcindex.htm.
Coast Guard Commissioning Programs
The U.S. Coast Guard offers enlisted Coast Guard servicemembers several ways to earn a commission and join the Officer Corps, which means better pay and better benefits. The following are descriptions of each of the Coast Guard’s Enlisted to Officer Programs.
The U.S. Coast Guard Academy, located in New London, Connecticut, is unique among the service academies because it is the oldest lifesaving service in the world. As with the other service academies, competition for admission is fierce. An average of 290 students enters the Academy each year out of approximately 6,000 applicants.
Contact
For details on enrolling in the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, see www.cga.edu.
Contact
For information on Officer Candidate School, see www.gocoastguard.com/dc/DCPrograms/ocs.htm.
Officer Candidate School (OCS) is a rigorous 17-week course that prepares candidates to serve as officers in the United States Coast Guard. In addition to indoctrinating students into a military lifestyle, OCS covers a wide range of highly technical information necessary for performing the duties of a Coast Guard officer. When you graduate from the program, you will receive a commission in the Coast Guard at the rank of Ensign and will be required to serve a minimum of three years of active duty. You may be assigned to a ship, flight school, or an operations-ashore billet. First assignments are based on the needs of the Coast Guard, although your personal desires and performance are considered.
The Coast Guard Direct Commissioning program offers leaders in aviation, engineering, environmental management, intelligence, and legal career fields the opportunity to step in the Coast Guard as commissioned officers. Direct Commission Officers (DCOs) are required to complete a five-week officer training course, which may be shorter depending on past military experience.
The Maritime Academy Graduate program offers a direct commission to individuals who hold a degree from a qualifying state or federal Maritime Academy and hold specific licensing requirements. Selected Maritime Academy graduates will serve as Coast Guard Reserve Officers on full-time active duty.
Contact
For details on the Pre-Commissioning Program for Enlisted Personnel, see www.gocoastguard.com/dc/dcprograms/ppep.htm.
The Pre-Commissioning Program for Enlisted Personnel (PPEP) is an opportunity for top-performing enlisted personnel to complete their bachelor’s degree, attend Officer Candidate School (OCS), and receive a Coast Guard commission. The Coast Guard will pay all fees for tuition, books, and lab use in addition to regular pay and allowances.
The Coast Guard’s College Student Pre-Commissioning Initiative (CSPI) is a scholarship program for students entering their junior year of college. This program provides students with leadership, management, law enforcement, navigation, and marine science skills and training. The program’s benefits include:
Contact
To apply to the CSPI program, contact a Coast Guard recruiter at 877-NOW-USCG (877-669-8724), ext. 205, or visit www.gocoastguard.com.
• Full payment of school tuition for two years.
• Payment of fees and for textbooks.
• Monthly salary of up to $2,200.
• Life insurance.
• Free dental and medical health care.
• 30 days’ paid vacation per year.
• Monthly housing and food allowances.
• Leadership training.
To be eligible for the program, you must:
• Be between the ages of 21 and 26 when you graduate from college.
• Be a sophomore or junior (with at least 60 college credits completed toward your degree).
• Be enrolled at a four-year program at an approved institution with a minimum 25 percent minority population.
• Meet all physical requirements for a Coast Guard commission.
• Maintain a GPA of 2.5 or higher.
• Attain a qualifying score of 1100 on the SAT; 23 on the ACT; or 109 on the GT portion of the ASVAB.
• Be a U.S. citizen.
The Aviation Candidate Program (AVCAD) provides an enlisted Coast Guard member a guaranteed opportunity to become a Coast Guard aviator. If you’ve been accepted to OCS you can apply for flight school while at OCS, but there is no guarantee when you enter OCS that you will be going to flight school. If you’re accepted into the AVCAD program, you’re accepted for both OCS and flight training. Thus, the AVCAD program is, essentially, OCS plus guaranteed flight school.
To qualify for the AVCAD program you must meet the standard OCS qualifications, pass a flight physical, and achieve Coast Guard specific passing scores on the Aviation Selection Test Battery.
Selected Reserve Direct Commission (SRDC) is a program that offers enlisted Reserve members (or civilians) the opportunity to become commissioned officers. SRDC officers attend a three-week Reserve Officer Candidate Indoctrination course at the Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut. After completing the program and receiving a commission, SRDC officers continue in their civilian employment while serving on military duty an average of two days a month and two weeks a year.
The Chief Warrant Officer Option. While administrative and technical specialty expertise is required in many assignments, chief warrant officers must also be capable of performing in a wide variety of assignments that require strong leadership skills. Enlisted and officer experience provide these officers with a unique perspective on how to meet the Coast Guard’s roles and missions.
Contact
For details on the Chief Warrant Officer Appointment Process, or for how to apply to become a chief warrant officer, see www.military.com/militarycareers.
Marine Corps Promotion System
Like the other branches of the U.S. Armed Forces, the Marine Corps enlisted promotion system differs depending on your pay grade. For example, promotions to corporal and sergeant (E-4 and E-5) are based on basic eligibility, command recommendation, and a composite score, while a promotion to lance corporal (E-3) depends on whether the candidate has successfully completed nine months’ time in service and eight months’ time in grade (i.e., E-2).
Contact
Official Marine Corps updates on promotions for both active-duty and Reserve members are available at www.usmc.mil/maradmins.
Contact
To learn more about the Marine Corps promotion system, visit www.military.com/usmcpromotions.
For Marine Corps enlisted promotions, composite scores are determined on a quarterly basis, when the Marine Corps announces how many Marines in each MOS will be promoted. In the process to see who gets promoted, composite score points are awarded from each of the following areas:
• General military performance score.
• Average of duty proficiency marks.
• Time-in-service points.
• Time-in-grade points.
• College credits/voluntary education bonus points.
• Special assignments points.
• Command Recruiting Program bonus points.
For promotions to staff NCO (E-6 and above), candidates must be evaluated by a centralized promotion board, in addition to meeting the basic requirements and command recommendations.
Marine Enlisted Marks System
Your duty performance and conduct are rated on a scale of 0 to 5, 0 being “unsatisfactory” and 5 being “outstanding.” Average duty performance and average conduct marks together can equal up to 1,000 points of the composite score system used in the corporal and sergeant promotion systems.
The Marine Officer and NCO Performance Evaluations System
The Marine Corps Performance Evaluation System (PES) provides for the periodic reporting, recording, and analysis of the performance and professional character of Marines in the grades of sergeant through major general.
The system recognizes the inherently high quality of the individual Marine and accounts for the outstanding nature of the “average” Marine.
Contact
For more on the Marine Corps commissioning programs, see www.military.com/militarycareers.
Marine Corps Commissioning Programs
The U.S. Marine Corps offers enlisted Marines several ways to earn a commission and join the Officer Corps. The following are descriptions of each of the Marine Corps Enlisted to Officer Programs.
U.S. Naval Academy (USNA). Enlisted active-duty Marines as well as Marines serving in the Active Reserve (AR) program can apply for nomination and appointment to the United States Naval Academy. This is a highly selective program. Naval Academy midshipmen can choose to pursue the “Marine option,” which leads to a commission in the U.S. Marine Corps. All other graduates receive a commission in the U.S. Navy.
The Marine Corps Enlisted Commissioning Education Program (MECEP) provides outstanding enlisted Marines the opportunity to become Marine Corps Officers. Marines successfully completing the program receive a baccalaureate degree and a commission as a second lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps Reserve.
The Enlisted Commissioning Program (ECP) allows qualified enlisted Marines in the Regular Marine Corps and the Marine Corps Active Reserve program to apply for assignment to Officer Candidates School (OCS) and for subsequent appointment to unrestricted commissioned officer grade in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve.
The Reserve Enlisted Commissioning Program (ECP-R) allows qualified enlisted Marines in the Selected Marine Corps Reserve (SMCR) program to apply for assignment to Officer Candidates School (OCS) and subsequent appointment to unrestricted commissioned officer grade in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve.
Contact
For information on the NROTC, see www.nrotc.navy.mil.
The Navy Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC) educates and trains qualified young men and women for careers as commissioned officers in the United States Marine Corps. NROTC midshipmen seeking a commission in the Marine Corps can select the “Marine option” program at their NROTC unit.
Marine option NROTC units are located at selected colleges and universities throughout the United States. Upon graduation and successful completion of required courses and training, you will be appointed a second lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps Reserve. While attending a university on scholarship, active-duty Marines who are selected to receive NROTC scholarships are released to the Inactive Ready Reserve (IRR) and do not receive pay and allowances.
Selected applicants for the NROTC scholarship program are awarded scholarships and receive full tuition, along with funding for books, fees, and other benefits.
Contact
For more information on the Marine Corps Enlisted to Warrant Officer Program, see www.military.com/militarycareers.
The Enlisted to Warrant Officer Program allows qualified enlisted Marines who are technical experts in their fields to apply for appointment to become warrant officers in the MOS in which they are considered qualified to serve.
There are five categories of warrant officers: Regular Active Duty, Active Reserve, Selected Marine Corps Reserve, Marine Gunner, and Career Recruiter.
Navy Promotion System
The Navy has two basic systems for promotion. Enlisted promotions are referred to as “advancements,” while in the officer system, they are referred to as “promotions.”
The Navy Enlisted Advancement System (NEAS) determines advancements through a Navy-wide examination. After each exam cycle, Final Multiple Scores (FMS) and quotas are used to select personnel for enlisted advancement. The FMS system is based on a member’s knowledge, performance, and experience and considers the “whole person” in determining who will be advanced to fill quotas (or vacancies) within each rating. FMSs and quotas for each rating and pay grade are used to calculate a cutoff score. If your FMS is at or above the cutoff score, you will be advanced.
The components of your FMS differ depending on your pay grade. For E-4 through E-6, the FMS includes points for your Navy-wide exam score, performance evaluations, awards, time in service, and pass-not-advanced factors.
The Navy E-7 (chief petty officer) promotion process is similar to the process for E-4 through E-6, but it also includes a Chief Petty Officer Selection Board. Advancements to E-8 and E-9 are made solely based on the candidate’s meeting basic eligibility requirements and the Senior Chief and Master Chief Selection Boards.
Contact
For details on the Seaman to Admiral program, see www.sta-21.navy.mil.
Navy Commissioning Programs
The U.S. Navy offers enlisted sailors several ways to earn a commission and join the Officer Corps. The following are descriptions of the Navy Enlisted to Officer Programs.
The Seaman to Admiral Program (STA-21) is a commissioning program in which Sailors keep their active-duty benefits, pay, and privileges while they attend college on scholarship to obtain their degree and their commission as naval officers.
Contact
For details and guidelines on the Chief Warrant Officer Process and Limited Duty Officer Appointment Process, see www.persnet.navy.mil/pers211.
The Chief Warrant Officer Appointment Process advances members who have performed exceptionally in the enlisted ranks in various technical specialties. Chief Warrant Officer Programs are open to chief petty officers with at least 12 but no more than 24 years of naval service, and appointments are made to the permanent grade of chief warrant officer. The Navy also offers the Active Duty Flying Chief Warrant Officer (CWO) for E-5 through E-7 Sailors. The Flying CWO’s job is focused solely on flying duties both at sea and ashore.
The Limited Duty Officer Appointment Process provides technically skilled servicemembers to perform duties requiring the authority, responsibility, and managerial skills of commissioned officers. Duties are limited to broad enlisted occupational fields.
Contact
For information on the U.S. Naval Academy, see www.usna.edu.
The United States Naval Academy (USNA) offers enlisted active-duty and Active Reserve Sailors the opportunity to apply for highly sought after nomination and appointments to Annapolis. Many Sailors who do not make the initial cut for the Naval Academy are referred to the Preparatory School.
The Naval Academy Preparatory School (NAPS) gets many of its students from USNA applicants who, in the opinion of the USNA Admissions Board, could profit from an additional year of academic preparation. Sailors who wish to be considered for admission to NAPS must state their willingness on their USNA application.
The Navy Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC) educates and trains qualified young men and women for careers as commissioned officers. NROTC units are located at selected colleges and universities throughout the United States. Upon graduation and successful completion of required courses and training, a midshipman is appointed officer in the Navy Reserve. Active-duty Sailors who are selected as NROTC scholarship recipients are released to the Inactive Ready Reserve (IRR) while attending school and do not receive pay and allowances.
Navy Officer Candidate School (OCS) is one of five officer training schools located at Naval Station Newport in Rhode Island. The 12-week OCS course is designed to give candidates a working knowledge of the Navy (afloat and ashore) to prepare them to assume the responsibilities of a naval officer.
Medical Enlisted Commissioning Program (MECP) is a nationally accredited academic program for enlisted personnel interested in becoming an officer in the Nurse Corps. This program provides full pay allowances for your enlisted pay grade while still allowing you to be eligible for promotion.
Visit the Navy’s Reference Library/Messages website at www.npc.navy.mil/ReferenceLibrary/ to learn about the Navy requirements and official promotion announcements and news for Navy active duty and Navy Reserve members.
Your unit’s Navy Counselor is available to provide more information and guidance on Navy advancements and commissioning opportunities.
Contact
Visit www.npc.navy.mil/Reference Library/Messages to learn about the Navy scores for each pay grade and official promotion announcements and news for Navy active-duty and Navy Reserve members.
If you’re in the military, you know that deployment—the assignment of military personnel to temporary, unaccompanied tours of duty—is always a possibility. In plainer language, deployment refers to the sending of Soldiers, Sailors, airmen, Marines, and Coast Guard members to training, special assignments, or combat. If you are in the Reserve or National Guard, you could also be mobilized for active duty in times of war or national need. Guard members may be mobilized for individual state emergencies as well.
Deployment and mobilization can be tough, especially if you have a family, but being prepared when it’s time to ship out can help make a hard situation easier. This section covers the basics of deployment preparation. You need to be prepared.
Take Advantage
Additional deployment resources and information are often available through government agencies and private companies like the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society and USAA. See USAA’s deployment guide at www.usaa.com/deployment.
The Deployment Process
Deployment is defined by the Department of Defense (DoD) as a troop movement for 30 continuous days or more to a land-based location outside the United States, either for peacekeeping or during a conflict. Deployment generally has five phases:
1. Predeployment Activities. These activities take place at your installation, prior to your leaving for the port of embarkation, and include any necessary training for when you reach your destination, as well as briefings for you and your family on your benefits and entitlements. This phase can last for a few months, or even a few days, depending on the situation.
2. Movement to Port of Embarkation. When your unit receives orders to deploy, you will be sent to your port of embarkation, the location in the United States from which you will be deployed.
3. Strategic Lift. Your unit will be transported by air or sea to your point of debarkation, which will be in the theater of operations to which you have been assigned. If you are assigned to duty on a vessel, your unit will proceed directly to your destination.
4. Reception at Point of Debarkation. Your unit will arrive at the point of debarkation, and its onward assignment, travel, and support logistics will be coordinated.
5. Onward Movement. Your unit will be organized (or reconfigured, if necessary) and move on to the staging area (the location where you will be stationed) to await tactical assignment.
Predeployment Tips for the Servicemember
Below are some suggestions to help you prepare for deployment.
Service Record. Check your service record to make sure your contact information is correct. In the case of an emergency, an incorrect phone number can delay a response.
Take Advantage
Before deployment, confirm the information in your Military Pay Account; to avoid pay issues later see The Military Pay Information Line in the Pay chapter.
Vehicle Storage. If you own a car or truck, make storage arrangements if necessary. If your registration will expire while you are deployed, you should renew your registration prior to deployment. You should also check with your insurance company to see if it offers reduced rates to deployed servicemembers.
Bills. You are responsible for your bills while you are deployed, including expenses such as rent, mortgage payments, car payments, credit cards, etc. Before deploying, be sure to make arrangements for these payments to be taken care of.
Direct Deposit. You will receive your pay through direct deposit while you are deployed. For more information on direct deposit, check with your bank or credit union.
Take Advantage
If you are deployed with a ship or squadron for 90 days or more, and you are single, you may be eligible to store household goods at government expense. Check with your base transportation office for more details.
Income Tax. If you will be deployed when your income taxes are due, decide in advance how the taxes will be filed and who will do it. You may also want to file for an extension. For more details, see the tax section in the Money chapter.
Power of Attorney. A power of attorney is a legal designation you can grant another person so that the other person can sign documents in your name. While you are deployed, it may be necessary for your spouse, family member, or friend to act on your behalf. Before you execute a power of attorney, be sure you know exactly what you want this person to do in your place. You can limit the duration of the power of attorney to the period of time you expect to be deployed.
Life Insurance. Before deploying, you should verify whom you have designated as a beneficiary on your life insurance, and make changes as necessary. An eligible beneficiary can be any person or legal entity designated by you. For more information on life insurance and SGLI, see the Money chapter.
Make a Will. A will is a legal expression or declaration of your wishes concerning the disposition of your property after death. It is always easier for survivors to take care of things if you have prepared a legally executed will. If you die without leaving a will, your property is distributed according to state law, which might not be the same way you would have wanted it. For assistance in preparing, updating, or changing your will, you should contact the legal office at your installation (see Your Legal Assistance Entitlement in the Benefits chapter).
Family Readiness for Deployment
Before you deploy, make sure that you and your family have prepared for the difficulties that may arise during deployment. A full section on family deployment issues and support programs can be found in the Family chapter, but you should also keep the following points in mind before deployment:
Having a web-based email account will allow you to email from any computer with Internet connection. Free accounts are offered on military.com, Gmail, Yahoo, or Hotmail.
Take Advantage
Certain deployments provide the ability to participate in the DoD Savings Deposit Program, which pays an annual rate of 10 percent. See the Money chapter for additional details.
• Prepare a sheet of important phone numbers, addresses, and financial records, which should include everything from utility bills to veterinarians. Don’t wait until deployment to do it.
• Designate a “backup.” Things don’t always go as planned, so call on a trusted person to handle all your affairs, then select another person in case that person falls through.
• Get a power of attorney. This will be a big help for those handling your financial affairs while you are away. Unfortunately, in this day and age, getting a “general power of attorney” can be risky, unless you completely trust the person handling your affairs. A safer choice might be a “specific power of attorney,” which allows only certain portions of your finances to be controlled by the individual you choose.
• Check in with the ombudsman at your installation for information on support services (see the Family chapter for more details).
• Use military family support services. You’re not alone—there are many official and unofficial sources of aid and assistance. Contact your base family services office for assistance. More details are in the Family chapter.
• Make sure your family’s military ID cards are up to date (see the Money chapter).
• Get your legal and financial affairs in order. Develop a family care plan, and make sure you’re up to date on your insurance payments, will, pay, and finances.
• Update your medical benefits. Keep up with the paperwork and Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) enrollment, and make sure you have all necessary immunizations and vaccinations.
• Don’t neglect the home front. Make arrangements for your family’s security and safety. Work together in preparing checklists for what to do in case of emergencies at home.
• Be ready for the worst. It’s not pleasant to think about, but be sure your family will be taken care of should you be severely injured or worse. You and your family should be familiar with survivor benefits and the beneficiary information should be up to date (see Surviving Family Benefits in the Benefits chapter).
When possible, members of Reserve and National Guard units are provided with as much time as possible between the date they are alerted and the date they are required to report for active duty. Some units may be alerted but will not actually begin active duty for several weeks. Under mobilization conditions, however, an emergency situation may require extremely short activation notice—as short as a few days. Fortunately, there are protections and benefits in place to ease this significant burden.
Reserve and Guard members have special financial and legal protections that go along with being activated or mobilized. These rights can provide support for everything from keeping your regular civilian job while you’re away to getting a stay on court judgments. The key benefits you should be familiar with are the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) and the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA), both of which are explained in detail in the Benefits chapter.
Mobilization Levels
Generally, the type and degree of a given emergency determines the level of mobilization. Selective mobilization takes place in response to natural disasters or civilian disturbances that do not threaten U.S. national security. Examples of a domestic emergency that might require a selective mobilization would include a natural disaster, such as an earthquake, or a national crisis, such as a postal strike.
The National Guard can be mobilized by either their home state or the federal government. Mobilization or activation under federal law (Title 10) brings the same benefits that activated Reserve members get, depending on the length of time for which you are activated. Activation under state law rarely increases your benefits.
Phases of Mobilization
Preparation. Under normal peacetime conditions, the National Guard and Reserve plan, train, and prepare for mobilization. Under some circumstances, a unit may be mobilized and sent to another military command to receive specialized training prior to assuming their mission.
Alert. A unit receives notice of orders to active duty. The unit prepares for a transition to active component status.
Deployment guides for all services are available at: www.military.com/deployment.
Air Force
Air Force Family Readiness Centers
www.afpc.af.mil/lifeandcareer/familyreadinesscenter.asp
Army
Army Community and Family Support Center
Army Family Team Building
www.armyfamilyteambuilding.org
Coast Guard
Coast Guard Ombudsman
www.uscg.mil/worklife/ombudsman.asp
Coast Guard Work-Life
www.uscg.mil/hq/cg1/cg111/default.asp
Marine Corps
Marine Corps Community Services
National Guard
Army National Guard Family Readiness Program
www.arng.army.mil/soldier_resources
National Guard Family Readiness Program
www.arng.army.mil/familyresources.aspx
Navy
Fleet and Family Support Link
LIFELines
Navy Family Ombudsman Program
Navy Morale, Welfare, and Recreation Headquarters
Spouse Support and Relocation
Reserves
Air Force Reserve Family Programs
www.afrc.af.mil/library/family.asp
Army Reserve Family Programs
www.arfp.org/skins/ARFP/home.aspx?AllowSSL=true
Coast Guard Reserve Family Programs
www.uscg.mil/hq/g-w/g-wk/wkw/index.htm
Navy Reserve Ombudsman Online
Mobilization at Home Station. The unit assembles at home station and begins active duty.
Movement to Mobilization Stations. The unit departs from its home station and travels to the mobilization site—either in the United States or overseas.
Operation Readiness Improvement. The unit makes final preparation before actual deployment at the mobilization site.
Post-Deployment and Demobilization
With the ongoing War on Terror, active-duty, Reserve, and Guard members are being deployed worldwide in great numbers. Your military training has prepared you for these combat situations, but what about when you return home? Below, you’ll learn about the services available to aid you in your demobilization or return to civilian life.
Take Advantage
Don’t forget that you may be eligible for a Combat Zone Tax Exclusion on your basic pay or any reenlistment bonuses—even the REDUX retirement bonus—you may receive while deployed to certain regions of the world. See Combat Zone Tax Exclusion in the Money chapter.
Post-Deployment and Demobilization Programs and Benefits
You will undoubtedly face some challenges upon returning from deployment: you may be in the National Guard or Reserve, and need to get back to the job you held before you were deployed. Or you may be transitioning out of the military. Or perhaps you have a health problem that needs addressing. In this section, the major benefits and services available for returning servicemembers are described. If you are transitioning out of the military, you should also read the Transition chapter for more on transition services and benefits.
Take Advantage
Operation Military Child Care provides free assistance for deployed or mobilized Reserve, National Guard, and active-duty Army soldiers during the duration of the deployment. Visit naccrra.org/militaryfamilies to learn more.
Post-Deployment and Demobilization Financial Protection
The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) is your protection against certain financial difficulties that may have occurred while you were away on service. For a full rundown of SCRA protections, see the Benefits chapter.
Post-Deployment and Demobilization Employment Protection
The Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) protects your job if you are a Reserve or Guard member, so that you can resume working when you return from deployment. For more details on the protections USERRA offers, see the Benefits chapter. The National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) can also provide assistance and mediation services for those encountering difficulties in regaining their old jobs. For a description of ESGR’s services, see the Benefits chapter.
The post-deployment blues can sneak up on you without warning. They can begin innocently enough—a sudden loss of temper, an extra drink at the bar—but the situation can snowball into a long-lasting depression, or it may be related to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Be on the lookout for these warning signs when you return from deployment:
• Disillusionment or displacement: You have doubts about whether you are making a difference in the world, or if life is worth living. You feel disconnected from life and the people around you and have difficulty fitting in.
• Low functioning: You no longer have enthusiasm for work, communicating with others, being with your family, or even an interest in your personal hygiene.
• Unusual behavior: Possibilities range from overindulging (in food, drink, etc.), becoming more irritable or depressed, performing poorly on the job, or retreating into a “shell.”
• Rage: You are more likely to lash out or even fight with friends and family in situations where ordinarily you would not lose your cool. If you are experiencing these symptoms, communication is the key. Talk it out with friends or family. Your on-base community services can offer help or point you in the right direction. Your chaplain can also provide advice, no matter what your religious beliefs are. For more on these services, see the Family chapter or contact Military OneSource for 24 hour a day, seven day a week assistance at 800-342-9647.
Take Advantage
Help for PTSD The Department of Veterans Affairs offers free counseling sessions and other resources to help deal with PTSD. For more information on PTSD or VA assistance, go to the National Center for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder website.
Contact
For more information on post-traumatic stress disorder services, visit www.military.com/PTSD.
Post-Deployment Health Benefits
If you are returning from deployment, several programs are in place to provide you with transitional or continued health care. For details on these benefits, see the Health Care chapter. The benefits include:
• VA health care for combat veterans.
• Transitional health care coverage.
• TRICARE Reserve Select.
TurboTAP is an easy to use, interactive web portal that provides life-long support to separating military servicemembers and their families. For more information, visit www.TurboTAP.org.
Service Aid Organizations
Among the resources available to assist you when you return from deployment are military service aid organizations. Each service branch has its own aid society or mutual assistance organization that can provide you with grants, loans, financial advice, and scholarships. Check out the Service Aid Organizations section for more information.
In the military, you can count on moving to new locations every few years, either to an installation somewhere in the United States or overseas. There are definite advantages to relocation—you gain a full range of experiences in different communities and even cultures—but it’s also easy to get overwhelmed by the actual logistics of a move. This section contains the crucial information you need about how to make moving as economical and smooth as possible.
Permanent Change of Station Orders
Permanent Change of Station (PCS) orders are issued when you move to a new duty station at a different base or in a different area. This can be either a local or an overseas move that involves shipment of household goods from the current duty station to the new permanent duty station.
If you have been given PCS orders, you have two options: a government move, or a Personally Procured Move (PPM). The advantage of a government move is that you do not have to pay for your moving expenses, or worry about organizing everything—the government will plan it all with you. Another major advantage is that if you are moving within the continental United States (CONUS), you have certain protections in case your belongings are damaged in the move.
In a PPM, you volunteer to move yourself, taking care of all your planning, expenses, and the actual move, and you are entitled to 95 percent of what it would cost the government to pay a government-contracted Transportation Service Provider (TSP) to move you. Most members can receive up to 60 percent of this amount in advance to help cover the expenses of their move.
Which option should you choose for your move? It will depend on your situation. If you can plan well in advance and handle the challenge of taking care of your own move, moving on your own might cost less than a government-contracted move. So when the government pays you your PPM allowance, you may actually end up making money. However, if you are short on time, or don’t have the resources or expertise to handle your own moving arrangements, having a government-sponsored move may be your easiest, safest option.
For more on PPMs, see the section later in this chapter.
Take Advantage
Navy personnel can use a pilot program called SmartWebMove, which allows you to set up moves of household goods on the Internet. For more details, visit www.smartwebmove.navsup.navy.mil.
Relocation Categories
Your move will fall under one of these categories:
Continental United States (CONUS). Moves within the continental United States make up the majority of relocations, and they are conducted either by government-hired moving contractors, or as a Personally Procured Move (PPM).
Home of Record or Combination of Orders Move. This move involves shipment of household goods from a location other than where you currently live, or another area in the continental United States (CONUS) or overseas. It is the most complex move because of the paperwork involved. For example, if you are stationed overseas (OCONUS) and choose to place property in storage near your last CONUS duty station, you are entitled to ship that property to your next unit when you depart your OCONUS assignment.
Take Advantage
If you have renters or homeowners insurance, your household goods may be covered during your relocation—check with your insurance company.
Local Move. This is a door-to-door move within your local area, with no storage involved—these moves are usually into and out of government quarters.
Overseas Move. Such moves include relocation to Alaska and Hawaii, as well as to other overseas locations. Approval of family member entry is required for some locations. If you receive orders to relocate overseas (Overseas Duty Orders), you qualify for:
• Unaccompanied baggage shipment.
• Long-term storage for household goods for the length of the tour.
• Shipment of household goods and unaccompanied baggage to a designated location in CONUS.
• Shipment of a privately owned vehicle to your new location, if permitted in the specific area.
Temporary Duty (TDY). This refers to a temporary reassignment to a location other than your Permanent Duty Station. You return to your permanent duty station upon completion of the temporary duty. The length of TDY can vary, depending on the situation, and is not defined. You may qualify for a per diem from the government to handle lodging and other personal expenses. (See the Pay chapter for details.)
Separation. When you separate or retire from service, you are eligible for moving and storage services, whether you are headed to your home of record or to a new location. (See later in this chapter.)
Take Advantage
Prior to moving be sure you have the following three critical documents:
Household Goods
Descriptive Inventory
DD Form 619
Government Bill of Lading
Know Your Relocation Benefits
One of the biggest relocation challenges is managing the cost of your move. Below are the military’s 10 core relocation-reimbursement programs. Make an appointment with the relocation manager in your family center for help estimating what each program will provide you.
Moving Matters
You—not your transportation officer or the mover—are responsible for staying within the weight allowance for your mover. If the weight of items packed, shipped, or stored exceeds your weight allowance, you must pay all charges connected with the excess weight, so estimating the weight of your household goods is very important. An easy and fairly dependable method for making this estimate is to count on about 1,000 pounds per room (not including storage rooms or bathrooms) and then add the estimated weight of large appliances and items in the garage, storage rooms, basement, etc. See the weight limit tables later in this section to determine your weight allowance.
The Advance Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) is an advance on monthly pay that helps you pay for off-base rental housing. It is generally limited to three months’ BAH pay. To request an advance, fill out and submit Form DA 4187. To learn more about standard BAH, see the Pay chapter.
Advance Basic Pay is basically an interest-free loan for when you make a Permanent Change of Station move. The collateral is your military salary, and you may draw up to three months’ basic pay in advance, interest free. Normally, you pay back basic pay advances over a period of 12 months, starting a month after the allowance is drawn. A 24-month payback period is allowed under certain conditions. Your base pay and finance office can provide details. For more on standard basic pay, see the Pay chapter.
The Advance Overseas Housing Allowance (OHA) is an advance that covers the difference between the cost of nonbase rental housing and the Base Housing Allowance (BAH). Except in unusual cases, advances are limited to 12 months’ OHA. For more on regular OHA, see the Pay chapter.
Take Advantage
Be sure to check out www.military.com/discounts to find coupons and get military discounts on relocation services.
Dislocation Allowance (DLA). For more details on this benefit, see the Pay chapter.
Family Separation Allowance for Housing (FSH) compensates you for additional expenses incurred when dependents need to find quarters other than with you. It is not payable to a member assigned to any duty station under permissive, humanitarian, or mutual exchange of station orders, or to a member who elects an unaccompanied tour in the continental United States.
Payment is in a monthly amount equal to BAH without dependents (in the 50 states and District of Columbia) or OHA without dependents (at any OCONUS location where BAH is not payable).
The Family Separation Allowance for Housing is only payable if:
• No government quarters are available at the permanent duty station (PDS).
• Dependents don’t reside at or near the PDS.
• Dependents are prevented from residing with the member.
Monetary Allowance in Lieu of Transportation (MALT) is the money paid when you and/or your family drives to your new duty station. It is paid per mile based on the Official Military Table of Distances. This allowance is available for both stateside and overseas PCS travel. In 2014 the MALT rate was $0.235 per mile, per vehicle.
Move-In Housing Allowance (MIHA). This allowance, only for overseas locations, reimburses you for costs associated with living in privately owned or privately leased quarters overseas. It addresses three specific needs: one-time rent-related expenses, modification of homes for security protection, and the initial cost of making a home habitable. Rates will change depending on currency values and your location. Claim MIHA by submitting Form DD 2556. See your base relocation manager for details.
Contact
The Official Military Table of Distances is accessible at www.dtod.sddc.army.mil/default.aspx.
PCS Pay Matters
The offer of advance pay may sound good. But, starting in a new location with more debt and a smaller paycheck can make the transition more difficult. It is typically best to build your own PCS fund a little at a time and avoid the lure of advance pay.
Per Diem Allowance. See the Pay chapter for more details.
Temporary Lodging Allowance (TLA). See the Pay chapter for more details.
Temporary Lodging Expense (TLE). The TLE partly reimburses you and your family for the cost of meals and lodging incurred when temporary housing is needed. This allowance is figured according to a formula that factors in the member’s pay grade, number of family members, cost of actual quarters, availability of cooking facilities, and the local per diem rate. The maximum TLE rate is $290 per day. Ask your family center relocation manager for help in figuring your TLE.
Contact
Find information on relocation offices at your specific installation at www.military.com/ installations. Contacting experts at your current and future duty stations may be helpful.
Relocation Basics and Tips
The moving process begins when you receive Permanent Change of Station (PCS) orders. PCS orders are issued when you move to a new duty station at a different base or in a different area. This can be either a local or an overseas move that involves shipment of household goods from the current duty station to the new permanent duty station. Typically servicemembers have three general types of shipments when on PCS orders: Household Goods, Personal Owned Vehicles, and Unaccompanied Baggage.
Take Advantage
If you are moving, you can ship essential items such as pots, pans, clothing, dishes, etc., as “unaccompanied baggage.” Having these items sent ahead will help you set up house at your new address as soon as possible.
Servicemembers are required to get counseling for any government-funded move. This would usually be accomplished by making an appointment at your local counseling/transportation office and sitting with a personal property counselor. This is a very important process, as the counselor will explain all of your government entitlements (moves, storage, etc.). They will also review the responsibilities of you, the customer, and the responsibilities of your assigned TSP (transportation service provider). With the release of the DoD’s new Defense Personal Property system (DPS), you now have two options on how you complete your counseling process.
You can sit with a personal property counselor by contacting your local Personal Property Processing Office (PPPO)/Transportation Management Office (TMO) and scheduling an appointment. Or you can log into DPS and perform an online self counseling. DPS will review your entitlements with you and will walk you through the process of setting up your move.
Take Advantage
A one-stop resource for all of your moving needs is available at www.military.com/relocation.
If you have been given PCS orders, you have two options: a government move, or a Personally Procured Move (PPM). The advantage of a government move is that you do not have to pay for your moving expenses or worry about organizing everything—the government will plan it all with you and the contracted Transportation Service Provider. Another major advantage is that if you are moving within the continental United States (CONUS), you have certain protections in case your belongings are damaged in the move.
Move.mil is DoD’s worldwide moving website. All moving transactions are to be handled through this website. On Move.mil, you will work through your allowances, book your shipment, track your shipment, and file claims if necessary for your move. It is a one-stop, self-help program designed to put you in charge of the shipment and storage process for your personal property.
Another great resource is the DoD’s “It’s Your Move” booklet. The latest version can be downloaded at: www.transcom.mil/j5/pt/dtrpart4/dtr_part_iv_app_k_1.pdf.
Take Advantage
Don’t ship small, extremely valuable items such as stock or bond notes, jewelry, coins or coin collections, and items of great sentimental value such as photo albums. Carry them with you, as well as your purchase receipts, health records, and appraisals.
Damage/Loss Protection and Claims
The Department of Defense is now offering Full Replacement Value (FRV) Protection for damage or loss claims. FRV is an important new benefit for the servicemembers, DoD civilian employees, and DoD families, which is available at no additional cost.
For personal property lost, damaged, or destroyed while in the care of the Transportation Service Provider (TSP), the member can recover the greater of $5,000 per shipment or $4.00 times the weight of the shipment (in pounds) up to a maximum of $50,000 as compensation for loss.
There is no additional charge for FRV coverage. To learn more about FRV, be sure to visit the DPS website at www.move.mil.
Personally Procured Moves (PPM)
The Personally Procured Move (PPM) program—formerly known as the DITY move—offers a monetary incentive for you to pack, crate, and transport your own household goods. If you’re eligible to move personal property at government expense, you’re eligible to use the PPM program. This includes PCS and TDY moves, as well as separating, retiring, and moving to or from government quarters under orders.
If you make a PPM and your total move costs are less than the PPM allowance provided by the government, you keep the difference. In other words, if you go about your move in an economical manner, you will have money left for yourself—a nice reward for the time you have personally invested to take care of your move.
The program is voluntary and may be used in whole or in part. You may, for example, ship some household goods on a government bill of lading and the balance, up to the maximum weight allowance, under the PPM program.
Under the PPM program, you may use your own vehicle or a borrowed or rental vehicle. You are entitled to travel allowances, per diem, and payment for mileage through the government; for more on per diem, see the Pay chapter. An advance monetary allowance, not to exceed 60 percent of the estimated government cost of your move, can be paid under certain circumstances. Ask your transportation office representative for more details on these benefits.
Four Types of Personally Procured Moves
Rental equipment. You rent a truck or trailer, and receive an advance operating allowance based on authorized mileage and estimated weight of shipment. You are responsible for packing, loading, driving, unloading, and unpacking the shipment. Although you pay up front for storage at your destination, you will receive reimbursement.
“You Load, They Drive.” You pack and load a commercial moving van or truck, the commercial moving company drives to the destination, and you unload and unpack the commercial vehicle. The commercial firm must provide you with state/federal regulation numbers. You must request that the company provide you with weight tickets.
Privately Owned Vehicle. For this option, you may use your own or a borrowed vehicle for the move. If you are borrowing the vehicle, you must have written permission from the vehicle owner to conduct the move. Current vehicle registration is also required. The vehicle must be a van or a car with a trailer, not one designed for passenger transport.
The Move in Connection with a Government-Arranged Mobile Home Shipment. Household goods that can be authorized for shipment at government expense but must be removed from a mobile home to satisfy safety requirements can be moved under the PPM program. This includes heavy appliances and furniture, air conditioners, awnings, etc.
Making a PPM
Decide on your type of move. Choose one of the four types of PPMs (see the previous section) that best fits your needs.
Apply for the PPM by scheduling an appointment with your Personal Property Transportation Office (PPTO). The office will cover the program in detail, and provide you with the forms and instructions you need.
Your moving company is required to:
• Unpack and unwrap all cartons, boxes, and crates.
• Place each item or carton in the room you indicate.
• Place unpacked articles in cabinets and cupboards or on kitchen shelves when convenient, safe, and your desired location. Have placement planned out before the carrier arrives. Movers are required to place each item only once.
• Assemble all furniture and equipment disassembled by the movers at the place of origin.
• Remove packing and blocking materials from appliances. The mover is not required to connect appliances to electric, gas, or water outlets.
• Remove all packing material during the unpacking.
You must be authorized before you proceed with your PPM. If you are making a partial PPM (only shipping a certain amount of household goods), make sure you work out all the details with your PPTO representative. Note that you will not receive full government payment for your PPM until after your move.
Get receipts for all moving expenses. All costs associated with your move are nontaxable, and they will be deducted from the allowance you receive from the move to determine your actual financial profit. Although only your profit will be taxed, be sure to keep track of all costs to maximize what money you do make. Authorized expenses include:
• Rental vehicles/trailers.
• Packing materials.
• Moving equipment (including hand trucks and dollies).
• Gas and oil expenses.
• Highway tolls, weight tickets, and any other transportation expenses directly related to the move.
Confirm your insurance coverage. Make sure you are up to date on paying your car and accident insurance. If you are using a trailer, check your auto insurance policy to make sure you are covered. State laws regarding liability for accidents during a PPM vary, so if you are involved in an accident while performing a PPM, contact the legal office at the military installation nearest the accident site as soon as possible.
The following action items will help ensure your claims are accepted.
Before your move
• Take photos or videos of valuable and unique items. Carry them with you during the move rather than shipping them with your boxes.
• Have your valuables appraised before the move. If you can get a specific dollar value for your items, you should get a better replacement value if they are lost or damaged.
• Prepare inventory lists, especially for items in large numbers, i.e., CDs or kitchenware. If you are having movers pack these items, have them sign inventories that confirm each package’s contents. Also write the exact contents of each box on the outside.
• Write down serial numbers and model numbers for your electronics on the boxes in which they are packed, and keep your own list.
• Take inventory lists, receipts for valuable items, and your photographs with you, along with your other important records.
• Check with your insurance company regarding coverage. Some policies cover only lost items, not damages. If you need extra insurance, take care of it before the move.
During your move
• Supervise movers as they pack and load your goods, checking off items on your inventory lists.
After you arrive at your new duty station
• Check your inventory lists again when your belongings are unloaded at your destination. On your DD Form 1840, make a note of any missing or damaged items. Don’t sign anything until the truck is completely unloaded.
• If you find missing or damaged items after the movers leave, note the items on DD Form 1840R and submit the completed form to your local claims office less than 70 days after your goods were delivered.
• Contact the claims office at your new duty station if any of your property has been lost or damaged, or if you have questions.
• Do not throw away any damaged items until the damage has been inspected by all authorized parties, or you have been instructed to do so by the claims office. You must allow inspection of the property by both the government and the carrier at either’s request.
Source: Dept. of Defense
The Homeowners Assistance Program (HAP) provides financial assistance to those who face financial loss due to reduced property values. HAP has been temporarily expanded to assist servicemembers who are wounded, injured, or become ill when deployed. This includes surviving spouses of servicemembers killed or died of wounds while deployed. In addition servicemember and civilian employees assigned to BRAC 05 organizations and servicemembers required to permanently relocate during the home mortgage crisis may also be eligible. Visit the DoD Housing Assistance Program website at hap.usace.army.mil/ for more information.
If you opted to have an advance operating allowance (up-front cash to help defray the costs of moving), pick up the allowance from your local dispersing office.
When your vehicle (whether you own it or are renting) is ready, calculate the total weight of what you are moving. You will need to weigh your vehicle both fully loaded and unloaded. This is extremely important, as your PPM payment will be based on this weight ticket. You can usually find certified scales at a local moving or trucking company office. To calculate the weight of your shipment, follow this formula:
Take Advantage
Visit Military Homefront’s Plan My Move website to access a powerful new set of tools to help you and your family make your next move a smooth one. Visit www.militaryhomefront.dod.mil/ to access the Plan My Move website.
LW – EW = Net Weight of Property
Where LW = Loaded Weight = Your vehicle with a full tank of gas plus all of your property loaded with no driver or passengers inside, and
EW = Empty Weight = Your vehicle with a full tank of gas with no driver, passengers, or property loaded inside.
You must have weight tickets from both your origin and destination points to prove you moved the entire weight to the destination.
Each weight ticket should have the following information:
• Name, grade, Social Security number.
• Name and location of scales.
• Vehicle/trailer identification.
Forms you may need to fill out or provide for a do-it-yourself move include:
• Application for PPM and Counseling Checklist (DD Form 2278), available at www.military.com/forms.
• Advance of Funds Application and Account (Standard Form 1038; for advanced operating allowance), at www.psc.gov/forms/SF/SF-1038.pdf.
• Certified empty weight ticket for each shipment, with name, your Social Security number, and signature of weight master.
• Certified loaded weight ticket for each shipment, with name, your Social Security number, and signature of weight master.
• Travel Voucher or Subvoucher (Original DD Form 1351-2). Ask your PTO representative if you have specific questions about this form, which is available online at www.military.com/forms.
• Copy of registration for your boat(s) and/ or trailer(s) if applicable.
Source: Dept. of Defense
• Date of weighing.
• Weight master’s signature.
• Legible written weight amounts.
Make your move, and submit your settlement. Once you have completed your actual move, you have 45 days to submit a claim for full payment of your PPM allowance. This should include the following items, all of which are available from your Personal Property Installation Office.
• Empty and loaded weight tickets (two copies of each).
• DD Form 2278.
• PPM certification (attach all receipts for moving expenses).
• PPM expense sheet.
• Change of station orders.
• Advance operating allowance paperwork (if you are renting a truck or trailer).
• Vehicle/trailer rental contract (if you are renting a truck or trailer).
Take Advantage
Before you move, make sure you know what weigh stations are located at your destination—some locations don’t have them in the immediate area.
Temporary or Short-Term Storage
Whether you use a Transportation Service Provider (TSP) or perform a PPM, you are entitled to 90 days of temporary storage of your household goods if they are being moved at government expense on Permanent Change of Station (PCS) orders. You can request an extension of this storage period by filling out DD Form-1857, available at www.military.com/forms. Storage may be used at your point of origin, en route, or at your final destination.
Try to avoid using temporary storage by planning for a realistic date when your goods can be moved into your new home. This will save your property from additional handling and possible damage.
Firearms are considered part of your household goods, but you may be restricted from transporting them based on national, state, and local laws. Check with your transportation counselor to see if such a provision might affect your move.
Nontemporary or Long-Term Storage
Long-term storage is usually authorized in specific cases—check with your base transportation office to see if you qualify. Take great care in separating items to be shipped and stored because once in storage, they may be difficult to retrieve.
Contact
Directions and maps to the processing centers, and more detailed information on shipping a vehicle, can be found at the POV site: www.whereismypov.com.
Privately Owned Vehicle Storage
In some instances, the government does not allow shipment of a privately owned vehicle (POV) to the member’s new duty station. If you are ordered to a foreign overseas permanent duty station (PDS) to which a POV is not permitted to be transported, or sent TDY on a contingency operation for more than 30 days, you are authorized storage of a POV. The POV must be stored in a government-procured storage facility or another commercial storage facility not to exceed the government’s storage cost limit. If the service does not transport the POV to and from the storage facility, the member is reimbursed for delivery and pickup of the POV at the storage facilities in the same manner as he or she would be reimbursed for travel to ports for shipment or pickup of a POV.
Shipping a vehicle overseas. If you need to ship your vehicle overseas, you can ship through Surface Deployment and Distribution Command (SDDC) and its Global Privately Owned Vehicle (POV) System, which handles more than 75,000 vehicles through 35 full-service processing sites worldwide every year. You are limited to shipping one vehicle that doesn’t exceed a volume of 20 measurement tons. One measurement ton equals 40 cubic feet; a typical compact car is nine measurement tons; a full-size car, 15. When shipping a vehicle at government expense, you will pay for each measurement ton over the limit. Some large pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles (SUVs) may exceed the limit, for instance.
If you use the POV system, remember to remove personal items, such as mp3 players, hand-held game consoles, and other small electronic devices, before you drop off your car for shipment. Other items that must be removed before shipping include household supplies, camping equipment, and flammable and hazardous substances such as waxes, oils, paints, solvents, and polishes. Propane tanks must be purged and certified before the vehicle is turned in. You can leave items you will need when you pick up your vehicle, including jacks, tire irons, tire chains, fire extinguishers, nonflammable tire inflators, first aid kits, jumper cables, warning triangles, trouble lights, and tools valued at less than $200. A spare tire, two snow tires, portable cribs, children’s car seats, and luggage racks may also be left in the vehicle.
Source: Dept. of Defense
If you are separated from the military and in school, you can apply for a waiver to have your household goods stored for an extended amount of time.
Transition and Storage
If you are separating from the service, you have 180 days from your effective date of discharge to have your personal property moved at government expense. If you are searching for a new home during this period, you can request local storage of your items. If you are living in government quarters and separating or retiring, you may move locally out of the quarters and still retain shipping rights within the authorized time limit.
If you are a veteran separating from the service on a Voluntary Separation with Incentive (VSI) or a Special Separation Bonus (SSB), or you are separating on the Transition Assistance Management Program (TAMP) or separating involuntarily, you have the same entitlements as retirees.
Retirement and Storage
If you are retiring from military service, you are entitled to store your household goods at your last duty station while you look for a new home. This privilege is for one year after your date of retirement.
You can request an extension on this time limit due to medical, training, educational, or other valid reasons. When requesting an extension for shipment rights, you should contact your base moving office in person or by mail. You will need:
• Your retirement orders (with accounting data).
• Your service record (DD Form 214).
• Documentation (i.e., from your school verifying commencement, or a letter from your doctor showing your hospitalization or treatment).
• A letter requesting the extension.
New Place, New Bank? Having local bank accounts can help one you feel like you’re part of your new community. However, switching from one bank to another with each PCS can be a daunting task, especially when starting and stopping direct deposits, automatic withdrawals, and online bill payments. Consequently, it’s often easier to use a bank with a national (or international) footprint so that your bank follows you. Many of these institutions even offer convenient capabilities such as the ability to make deposits through smart phones.
Transporting Pets
Military regulations allow for a maximum of two pets (dogs and cats only) per family to travel with their owners on Air Mobility Command (AMC) flights. The weight limit for each pet is 150 pounds (including carrier). All pet transportation costs are at the owner’s expense; there are no travel entitlements for pet transportation or preparing pets for travel.
Depending on the season, transporting pets may be problematic due to lack of space on flights. If no pet space is available on AMC flights, you and your family will be booked on the lowest-cost commercial air carrier, with a courtesy reservation for the pet traveling as baggage in the cargo hold of the aircraft. Servicemembers should personally confirm all pet travel arrangements in the event of last minute airline decrees, which could change pet shipment plans. You are responsible for all pet shipment requirements, such as documentation, immunization, and pet entry requirements for foreign countries.
Most commercial carriers now require pets to have a health certificate from a veterinarian. Some countries and states (Hawaii, for instance) ban certain types of pets or require a quarantine period. Pets may also require inspection by the customs service in the country from which they are departing. Veterinary clinics and animal rights groups can provide more information and help set up a transportation plan for pets. Required documents usually include a veterinary health certificate (DD Form 2209), which must be issued within 10 days of your departure, and a rabies vaccination certificate (DD Form 2208), both available at www.military.com/forms. This must be issued at least 30 days prior to your departure but cannot be more than one year old.
Check on the type and size of kennel needed for overseas shipment of pets. You must provide a hard-shell U.S.-approved International Air Transport Association (IATA) kennel. The cage must be large enough for the animal to be able to stand up, turn around, and lie down with normal movements.
You must be flexible when you transport your pets—you may find that they will be prohibited from certain flights due to extreme conditions on board (i.e., too hot or too cold).
During moves, attach an ID tag to your pet’s collar. If you’re traveling within the United States, check on pet-friendly hotels on your route at www.petswelcome.com. Contact the Scott AFB Passenger Operations for additional pet information, including current fees, toll free at 1-800-851-3144.
Make an appointment for a counseling session at your base transportation office.
Decide whether you want to make a Personally Procured Move (PPM) or have the government handle everything for you.
Start saving for nonreimbursable moving expenses.
Discuss the moving process with your children to help them overcome their fear of relocation.
Start planning for special moving needs if you have an infant.
If you live in a private residence, notify your landlord that you will be moving, but do not give him or her an exact date right now.
Begin making shipping arrangements for your vehicle(s), if necessary. If you are presently using your base transportation office, schedule a counseling session.
Start to keep track of tax-deductible moving expenses (i.e., the cost of pre-move house hunting).
Make an inventory of possessions and valuable items (take photographs or videos). Get appraisals for antiques or collections.
Start organizing personal records such as birth certificates, insurance papers, and warranties.
Make a list of whom to notify concerning your move and forwarding address.
Let clubs and organizations that you belong to know you are leaving. Transfer your membership if possible.
Take care of necessary medical, optical, and dental appointments. Obtain your records or find out how to forward them later.
Have a power of attorney or letter of authorization drawn up to prepare for unforeseen circumstances.
Sort through closets and drawers to decide which clothes and other items to give away or sell.
Make sure all stickers from previous moves have been removed from furniture.
Do not make any more mail-order purchases.
Start using up canned foods, spray paints, and other consumables.
Have an “inventory session” in which you decide what you need to take with you and what you can get rid of.
Begin sorting out and disposing of items you don’t need. You can sell them through local classifieds, go to an online marketplace such as eBay, or donate them.
If you are buying a home at your new location, you should choose one as soon as possible, and then arrange financing and set tentative closing dates. For more on the home buying process, see www.military.com/homebuying.
If your spouse has a job, he or she should give required notice of termination and get a referral letter. Your spouse should also update his or her resume for finding a job at your new location. For more help, see the Spouse Career Center at www.military.com/spouse.
If you require child care at your new location, start looking into options. (See page 345.)
If you have school-age children, check school schedules and enrollment requirements at your new location.
If you plan to take a vacation on the way to your new address, make all your reservations as soon as possible.
If you have a car or truck, be sure that all maintenance and repairs are taken care of now. Be sure you still have your proof of insurance for the car.
Contact your insurance company about protection for automobiles, home and household storage, and high-value items.
If you are using your base transportation office, let the staff know if you plan to ship your vehicle, and provide the estimated shipping weight.
If you have pets, have them checked by a local vet, and be sure that all vaccinations and inoculations are up to date. Get a copy of your pet’s medical records.
Close out any local charge accounts.
If necessary, open up an account and a safe deposit box at a bank at your new location.
If you need help organizing your finances, visit your military base finance center.
Check expiration dates on major credit cards you plan to use during travel.
Contact the Department of Motor Vehicles at your new location for information on a new driver’s license and registration.
Schedule pickup and delivery dates with your mover and arrange for storage if needed.
Verify your move-in schedule with real estate agents and landlords, or your destination housing office, and arrange for temporary housing or lodgings if needed.
Obtain change-of-address cards from the post office. If your new address is not yet known, you can still address cards now to save time later.
If you haven’t found a new residence yet, obtain a post office box or forwarding address for your mail until you have a permanent address.
If you haven’t done so already, visit your military financial center or private advisor for counseling. Check with your transportation center on base to see if you are entitled to advanced pay or other benefits.
Get rid of any unwanted items around your house (furniture, clothes, etc.). You can sell them online, hold a garage sale, or donate them to charity. Keep any receipts from your donations for tax purposes.
Arrange to pick up your children’s school records or learn the proper procedures for having them sent to their new school.
Arrange for letters of transfer from your local religious groups and clubs, including Boy Scouts and other national organizations.
If you or someone in your family is employed, arrange with your employer to forward tax-withholding forms.
Spouses and children with part-time jobs should give notice.
Make arrangements for transporting your pets.
Ensure that all health, life, fire, and auto insurance are up to date by informing these companies of your new address.
Return library books and borrowed items.
Ensure that your vehicle(s) are in good running condition and that all required maintenance has been completed.
Record serial numbers of electronic and other important equipment.
Fill out an IRS change of address form (available from www.irs.gov).
Have appliances serviced for moving.
Switch utility services to your new address. Inform electric, disposal, water, newspaper, magazine subscription, telephone, and cable companies of your move, and cancel any local services (i.e., pool, diaper, fuel delivery). If you have placed any deposits, get your refunds.
Contact your military pay office to recertify Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) and have them sign-off on your Permanent Change of Station (PCS).
Reconfirm your packing, pickup, and delivery dates with your mover.
If you have a military ID card, check the expiration date and update it if necessary.
Notify your credit card companies of your new or temporary address.
Transfer bank accounts and your safe deposit box.
If possible, settle all your outstanding bills.
Cancel all local deliveries and services, such as newspapers and diaper service.
Retrieve all items you have loaned out.
Retrieve any dry cleaning or other items.
Send out a change-of-address card to the post office, your friends, and relatives.
Plan menus from what you have remaining in the freezer and cabinets.
If you are using the Personal Property Shipping Office (PPSO), reconfirm moving dates.
Have drapes and carpets cleaned; do not leave them in plastic wrappers.
Clean up your current living space or quarters.
Renew and pick up any necessary prescriptions. Obtain prescription slips in case you need refills on the road. Pack medicine in leakproof, spillproof containers.
If you are making use of military weight allowances, separate your professional books, papers, and equipment. These items will be weighed and listed separately on your shipping inventory. Make sure the packers know these are your professional items—their weight will not be counted into your weight allowance.
Close out your safety deposit box, if you have one.
Buy a bunch of plastic zip bags. These will come in handy when packing large sets of small items, like silverware, or for components of furniture that need to be broken down (i.e., screws, bolts).
Make copies of any important documents before mailing or hand-carrying them to your new address.
Remove wall accessories such as drapery rods, small appliances, and food and utensil racks.
Pull out all items from beneath stairways, attics, and any other area that does not allow full standing room.
Drain garden hoses.
Drain oil and gas from lawn mowers and other gas-operated tools. Disconnect spark plugs.
Dispose of flammables such as fireworks, cleaning fluids, matches, acids, chemistry sets, aerosol cans, ammunition, oil, paint, and thinners.
Refillable gas tanks must be purged and sealed by a local propane gas dealer. Discard nonrefillable tanks. Some movers and the military do not permit shipment of any propane tanks.
Disassemble outdoor play equipment and structures such as utility sheds.
Disassemble electronic components such as stereos and VCRs. Place original packing boxes (if they are in good condition and you want the movers to use them) by the equipment. If you decide to pack the item in the original carton yourself, leave the boxes open so that items can be inventoried.
Give a close friend or relative your travel route and schedule so that you may be reached if needed.
Set aside cleaning materials to be used after packing and loading.
Separate items that will not be packed, including suitcases. If you are making more than one shipment, separate items for each shipment into groups.
Ship as “unaccompanied baggage” items that you’ll use immediately, such as linens, dishes, etc.
Keep a household inventory list on hand to carry with your personal luggage.
Make a complete inventory of all the boxes you will have moved to your new location—you will need to check this later, after you move in.
Attach colored stickers to your boxes to correspond with the rooms in your new home where you want your boxes to go. If you are using movers, prepare a color-coded map of your new house so that they’ll know exactly where to take your belongings.
Make sure that cash, jewelry, important documents, your checkbook, and other valuable items are secure and placed with the suitcases and other items you are handcarrying. Do not ship jewelry.
If you are renting a truck or other vehicle for your move, check it over to make sure everything is running properly.
Make sure the condition of belongings is accurately noted. If you have marked anything “scratched,” “dented,” or “soiled,” also note the location of the particular problem.
Confirm child care and pet arrangements, if necessary.
Clean and dry your refrigerator and freezer. Allow them to dry one or two days with doors propped open. Note: Families with children or pets present should block the doors from closing accidentally. To avoid a musty odor, you can place several charcoal briquettes in a stocking or sock in both the freezer and refrigerator compartments.
Discard partly used cans and containers of substances that might leak.
Carefully tape and place in individual waterproof bags any jars of liquid you plan to take with you.
Remove outside TV and radio antennas, if applicable.
Remove air conditioners from windows, if applicable.
Remove pictures and mirrors from walls.
Disconnect gas and electrical appliances. Moving companies are not required to perform the disconnects or to reconnect at the destination address. Call your power company if you have questions.
Remove all light bulbs from lamps
Get up early and be ready for movers to arrive. Do not have dirty dishes in the kitchen, or dirty clothes in hampers or lying around the house. Take all trash out of the residence.
Have coffee, cold drinks, and snacks for yourself (and packers if you wish). This is going to be a very long day.
Be sure that you or someone assisting in your move is at home at all times—military and most regular moves are conducted during normal business hours.
Make sure cash, jewelry, important documents, checkbooks, and other valuable items are secure. (Put them in the trunk of your car along with your suitcases and whatever else you take with you.) Do not ship jewelry.
Get pets under control before movers arrive. If necessary, ask a neighbor to keep them for you if you haven’t made boarding arrangements.
Double-check closets, drawers, shelves, the attic, and the garage to be sure you have packed everything.
Have a marker handy to make extra notes on boxes.
If you are hand-carrying any boxes with you, be sure to mark “DO NOT MOVE” on them clearly.
Carry a box of “basics” you’ll need on move-in day (i.e., tools, paper products, pens, markers, housecleaning supplies, emergency kits, etc.).
Verify that the mover’s inventory is detailed, complete, and accurate. Do not accept any “miscellaneous” labels or entries (especially on high-value items).
Watch loading and unloading, and examine all items carefully before signing a receipt.
Make sure the condition of your belongings is accurately noted.
If the military is taking care of your move, obtain a copy of the GBL, the DD-619 (if within the continental United States), and the Household Goods Inventory from the packers before they leave. Ensure the inventory reflects the true condition of the property, and be certain everything is listed on the inventory. Review it carefully and keep a copy with other important records you are hand-carrying.
Check the entire house before releasing the packers to make sure that nothing is left behind that needs to be moved. The packers are not required to return to the residence after they have been released.
Leave all the old keys that the new tenant or owner will need with your realtor or a neighbor.
Consider carrying traveler’s checks for quick, available funds. You should have enough to cover the cost of moving services and expenses until you are settled in.
Hand-carry financial, medical, and dental records.
You will be given the telephone number of the transportation office at your new duty station. You should contact the office as soon as possible, and provide them with a phone number where you or a family member may be reached.
If you are listing Household Goods Office as a destination, contact the staff to arrange for delivery of personal property.
Arrange for phone, gas, and electricity to be connected.
Check the pilot lights on the stove, water heater, incinerator, and furnace.
If you are moving to a new state, register your car and get a new driver’s license as soon as possible.
Register your children in school.
Connect with medical services in your new location, such as doctors, dentists, etc.
Before the moving van arrives, clean the hard-to-reach places in your new residence.
When the movers arrive, check their inventory against the one you made prior to departure—they should match.
Know in advance where to place each piece of furniture. The mover is required to place each piece only once.
If you’re moving into government quarters, do a thorough inspection, noting and photographing any damage—this will save you time and trouble when you move out.