Planning Your PCS Move: The Ultimate Military Move Timeline

The difference between a smooth PCS and a chaotic one almost always comes down to planning. The families who start early, follow a timeline, and stay organized are the ones who arrive at their new duty station feeling in control instead of overwhelmed. Here's the complete planning timeline you should follow from the moment orders drop.

90 Days Out: Lay the Foundation

The moment you receive PCS orders, your 90-day countdown begins. This is when you set the tone for your entire move.

Visit TMO/PPO Immediately

Your Transportation Office should be your first stop. They'll help you create your DPS (Defense Personal Property System) account, explain your move options, and start scheduling dates. If you're PCSing during peak season (May–August), every day you wait is a day closer to packed schedules and limited availability.

Research Your New Duty Station

Start learning everything you can about where you're headed. Browse our Base Directory for installation-specific info, join Facebook groups for your gaining base, and connect with your sponsor. Key questions to answer early:

• What's the housing market like? On-base waitlist length? Off-base rental prices?
• What school options exist for your kids?
• What's the commute from popular neighborhoods?
• Are there childcare waitlists you need to get on immediately?

Request a Sponsor

Contact your gaining unit and request a sponsor — an assigned point of contact who's already at the new installation. A good sponsor is one of the most underused resources in the PCS process. They can give you ground-truth answers that no website can provide.

Start Decluttering

The less you move, the smoother (and cheaper) your PCS will be. Start going through closets, garages, and storage areas. Sell, donate, or trash anything you haven't used in the last year. If you're doing a PPM, less weight means higher profit. If you're doing an HHG move, less stuff means fewer boxes to unpack.

60 Days Out: Lock in the Details

Schedule Your HHG Pickup

If you haven't already, schedule your household goods pickup date through DPS. For peak season, the earlier the better — movers are booked solid from May through August. Your TMO can help if you're having trouble finding available dates.

Notify Your Landlord

If you're renting, give your landlord written notice. Most leases require 30 days, but the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) protects you from early termination penalties when you PCS. Provide a copy of your orders with your notice. Coordinate your move-out date with your HHG pickup to minimize days in limbo.

Start School Research & Registration

If you have school-age kids, contact the School Liaison Officer (SLO) at your gaining installation. They can help with enrollment, records transfers, and navigating differences in state curricula. Some schools have enrollment deadlines or lottery systems — don't miss them.

Handle Medical & Dental Records

Schedule final appointments at your current installation's clinic. Get copies of medical and dental records for the whole family (most are digital now, but verify). If anyone is on ongoing treatment or prescriptions, ensure you have enough medication to cover the transition period.

Register for Childcare

If you need on-base childcare, register for the Child Development Center (CDC) waitlist at your new installation now. Waitlists at popular bases can be 6+ months. Also look into off-base options through the Military Child Care Fee Assistance program.

30 Days Out: Confirm and Prepare

Confirm All Dates

Double-check your HHG pickup date, travel dates, and temporary lodging reservations. Confirm your report date with your gaining unit. If anything has changed, update DPS and your transportation office immediately.

Begin Address Changes

Start changing your address with banks, credit cards, insurance, subscriptions, and the USPS. Set up mail forwarding through USPS (it's free and takes effect in about a week). Update your vehicle registration and insurance to reflect your new state — some states require this within 30 days of arrival.

Prepare Important Documents

Gather and organize these in a folder you'll keep with you (not in the moving truck):

• PCS orders (multiple copies)
• Birth certificates and marriage certificate
• Social Security cards
• Passports (especially for OCONUS)
• Medical and dental records
• School records and transcripts
• Vehicle titles and registration
• Insurance policies
• Power of attorney (if applicable)

14 Days Out: Final Preparations

Pack Your Essentials Bags

These are the suitcases your family will live out of during the transition — from the day your household goods are packed until they're delivered at your new home. Plan for at least 1-2 weeks of living out of bags. Include:

• Enough clothes for 2 weeks
• Toiletries and medications
• Laptop and chargers
• Important documents folder
• Kids' favorite toys and comfort items
• Basic kitchen supplies (paper plates, utensils, snacks)
• Air mattress or sleeping bags if your furniture ships before you leave

Schedule Utility Disconnections

Set disconnect dates for electricity, gas, water, internet, and trash at your current home. Schedule them for the day after your move-out inspection if you're in on-base housing, or your lease end date if renting off-base.

Move Week: Execute the Plan

Pack-Out Day

Be present for the entire pack-out. Walk through every room with the movers and point out high-value or fragile items. Take photos of electronics, furniture, and anything valuable before they're packed. Ensure the movers create a detailed inventory and that you review it before signing.

Final Walk-Through

After the movers leave, do a final sweep of every room, closet, attic, and garage. Check behind doors, under sinks, and in utility areas. Take photos of the condition of the house for your records — this protects you in housing disputes later.

Hit the Road

Follow your planned route, keep your receipts for gas and tolls, and don't rush. Remember, you get per diem for each authorized travel day — pushing to make it in fewer days means less reimbursement and more exhaustion.

For a printable version of this timeline, use our interactive PCS Checklist — it tracks your progress and sends reminders so nothing falls through the cracks.