Dovetail

PCS Move Checklist

Last updated: May 2026

Moving is mostly logistics. PCS moves are logistics layered on top of orders, weight allowances, paperwork, and a transportation office. This guide walks through the universal sequence — how to decide between HHG and PPM, what timeline to plan against, which paperwork actually matters, and the things military families consistently say they wish they'd known earlier.

If you'd like a general personalized move plan to supplement what's below, start a free Dovetail plan — the standard planner covers household logistics like packing, declutter, and address changes. A PCS-specific version is on the roadmap (see below).

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A note from Bradford — and a real ask

I haven't done a PCS move myself. This guide was built from published military relocation resources and the best research I could do, but the people who actually know what PCS is like are the families living it.

If you're a service member, a military spouse, or someone who's been through a PCS, and something in here is wrong, missing, or could be sharper, I'd be grateful if you'd email me at hello@movedovetail.com. I read every reply, and the guide gets stronger every time someone takes the time to write.

I'm also planning to build a PCS-specific version of the Dovetail planner — with branch selection, OCONUS/CONUS branching, weight allowance reminders, and the right paperwork at the right time. If you'd help shape it, I'd be grateful — same email.

How early should I start planning a PCS move?

Start the moment your orders arrive. The official PCS process can take 60–90 days from orders to report date, and the Defense Personal Property System (DPS) bookings fill up fast in peak summer season (May–August). The earlier you book, the more flexibility you have on dates.

For OCONUS moves, give yourself 4–6 months. Passports for dependents, pet entry requirements, school enrollment timelines, and shipment lead times all stretch the runway considerably.

HHG vs PPM: which to choose

The decision comes down to control vs. convenience.

HHG (Household Goods, the government-arranged move):

PPM (Personally Procured Move, formerly DITY):

Partial PPM is also an option — most of your household goods go via HHG, but you self-move specific high-value or sensitive items.

Choose PPM if: you're moving a short distance, you have time to coordinate, you want control over how items are packed, you have help available, or you want to potentially profit from the move.

Choose HHG if: you're moving cross-country, your timeline is tight, you don't have help available, or you'd rather not deal with the logistics.

Weight allowance basics

Your weight allowance depends on your rank and whether you have dependents. The general framework:

Exceeding your weight allowance means paying out of pocket for the excess. The best ways to stay within: inventory honestly before the move, declutter aggressively, and consider PPM for items at the margin.

Verify your exact weight allowance with your installation's Personal Property Processing Office (PPPO) — rank-based allowances are updated occasionally and vary slightly by branch.

The PCS timeline

A typical PCS unfolds like this:

This is the canonical sequence. Your specific orders may include dates and requirements that supersede these defaults — they always win.

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Critical paperwork

A short list of forms and documents that consistently matter:

The reimbursement landscape

PCS moves come with several reimbursement and allowance categories:

Specific amounts change. Always verify with your installation's finance office before counting on a number.

PCS-specific address changes

In addition to the standard address change list (banks, doctors, subscriptions — see our change of address checklist), PCS moves require:

PCS scam watchlist

The PCS moving space has specific scam patterns. Be alert to:

Family considerations

PCS moves are family moves. A few things that consistently get missed:

OCONUS vs CONUS

CONUS (Continental US) moves follow the standard PCS framework above. OCONUS (Outside Continental US, including Alaska, Hawaii, and overseas) adds significant complexity:

OCONUS moves benefit dramatically from a sponsor at the new installation — they can give ground-truth advice on the destination that no general guide can.

Frequently asked questions

Is a PCS move different from a regular move?

Yes, meaningfully. PCS adds government-arranged logistics (or government-reimbursed self-moves), weight allowances based on rank and dependents, specific paperwork like DD 1299 and DD 1351-2, and a reimbursement framework (DLA, per diem, TLE/TLA) that civilian moves don't have. The household-goods packing and address changes are similar; the framework around them is entirely different.

Should I do HHG or PPM?

PPM gives you control and the potential to profit; HHG is lower-effort. Short distances and PPM tend to pair well. Cross-country and HHG tend to pair well. Many service members do a partial PPM — most via HHG, with specific high-value items self-moved.

What if I exceed my weight allowance?

You pay out of pocket for the excess. Declutter aggressively before the pack date, and consider keeping borderline items as a PPM partial move where the reimbursement may cover them.

Where do I file my travel claim?

DD 1351-2 (Travel Voucher) is filed at your new installation's finance office within 5 days of signing in. Bring all receipts, weight tickets if PPM, and your orders.

Can I change my state of legal residence (SLR) during a PCS?

Yes, but it's a separate process from changing your physical address. SLR affects state income tax, voting, and vehicle registration. The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) gives you flexibility — you can maintain a state of residence even while stationed elsewhere. Most service members keep SLR in a no-income-tax state if eligible. Talk to your installation's legal office before changing SLR; it has tax consequences.

What if my orders change last minute?

It happens. PPM gives you more flexibility to adjust; HHG re-bookings depend on TSP availability. The earlier you communicate the change to your TMO, the better. Document everything — last-minute orders changes can affect reimbursement eligibility, and your paper trail matters.

Help us make this guide better

If you're a service member or military spouse who's been through a PCS — recently, or many of them — and something here is wrong, missing, or could be sharper, I'd be grateful for the correction. Email me at hello@movedovetail.com. Every reply makes the guide more accurate for the next family.

If you'd help shape the personalized PCS planner we're building next — branch-aware, OCONUS/CONUS-aware, weight-allowance-aware — same email. I'd love to make it actually right.

— Bradford

Want a personalized plan for the household-logistics side?

A PCS-specific Dovetail planner is on the roadmap — gated on getting it right. Until then, the standard planner covers the household side of the move (packing, declutter, address changes, family considerations). Pair it with the PCS-specific timeline and paperwork above.

Start your Dovetail plan →