Chapter 04
PCS Moves
Permanent Change of Station — the move that can cost you thousands or make you thousands. Your call.
How PCS Orders Work
A PCS is any permanent move from one duty station to another. It can be CONUS-to-CONUS, CONUS-to-OCONUS, or OCONUS-to-CONUS. The Army publishes orders through HRC (Human Resources Command) and your unit S-1 distributes them. From the moment you receive orders, a clock starts ticking.
The PCS Timeline
Orders Published — HRC issues your assignment instructions. You'll see your report date, gaining unit, and authorized entitlements. Most soldiers receive orders 90-120 days before report date, though short-notice PCS (30 days or less) does happen.
TMO Briefing — Transportation Management Office. This is mandatory. TMO explains your moving options, weight allowances, and travel entitlements. Do not skip this — it's where you learn the rules that determine whether you profit or lose money.
Schedule Your Move — You choose HHG (government-arranged), PPM (personally procured), or a combination. Book early — summer PCS season (May-August) means packed schedules and delayed pickups.
Clear Post — CIF turn-in, unit clearance, housing office, finance, medical records. Each installation has a clearing checklist. Start early — some appointments book out 2-3 weeks.
Travel — You have authorized travel days based on distance. Drive, fly, or a combination — the Army pays either way.
Report to Gaining Unit — Arrive on or before your report date. Late arrival without approved leave extension is AWOL.
Reading Your Orders
- ◆Report Date: The date you must physically sign in at your new unit. Not negotiable without amendment.
- ◆TPDC (Travel, Per Diem, and Commercial travel): Tells you whether the Army is buying your plane ticket or you're driving on mileage.
- ◆TLE Authorization: Look for "TLE authorized" — this means the Army will reimburse temporary lodging at both ends of your move.
- ◆Accompanied vs Unaccompanied: Accompanied means your dependents move with you at government expense. Unaccompanied (common for Korea, some OCONUS) means they stay behind and you may receive Family Separation Allowance ($250/mo).
Pro tip: Read every line of your orders. Entitlements you don't claim are entitlements you don't get. The Army will not remind you to file for DLA or TLE — that's on you.
Moving Your Household — HHG vs PPM (DITY)
You have two options for moving your household goods, and the one you pick determines whether this PCS costs you money or puts money in your pocket.
Option 1: HHG (Household Goods) — Government Move
- ◆The Army hires a moving company to pack, load, transport, and deliver your belongings.
- ◆You pay nothing out of pocket. Full replacement value insurance included.
- ◆Downside: you have little control over timing. During peak season (summer), delays of 1-3 weeks are common.
- ◆Damage claims are filed through the Defense Personal Property System (DPS). Document everything with photos before the movers arrive.
Option 2: PPM (Personally Procured Move) — Formerly DITY
- ◆You move yourself and the Army pays you 100% of what the government HHG move would have cost.
- ◆You rent a truck (U-Haul, Penske, PODS), load your stuff, and drive it yourself.
- ◆The difference between what the Army pays you and what you actually spend is your profit — and it can be substantial.
- ◆You must get certified weight tickets: one empty, one full. No weight tickets = no payment.
Weight Allowances by Rank
PPM Profit Calculation
PPM profit is taxable. Keep all receipts — truck rental, fuel, tolls, packing materials. These are deductible against your PPM income on your tax return.
Weight tickets are non-negotiable. You need a certified weight ticket (CAT scale) for your vehicle empty and full. No weight tickets, no PPM payment. Get them at truck stops with CAT scales — cost is about $10-$15 each.
Travel Entitlements — DLA, MALT, Per Diem
Beyond moving your stuff, the Army reimburses your travel costs. These entitlements are separate from your HHG/PPM move and must be claimed individually through finance.
Dislocation Allowance (DLA)
- ◆A flat-rate payment to offset the miscellaneous costs of relocating — deposits, hook-up fees, cleaning supplies, etc.
- ◆FY2026 rates: E-4 to E-6 with dependents: $3,548. E-1 without dependents: $1,871. Rates increase with rank — E-9 w/deps: $4,150, O-7+ w/deps: $6,386. Source: DFAS / military.com. Verify current rates with your S-1 before your move.
- ◆Paid once per PCS. You do not need receipts — it is a flat entitlement.
- ◆Must be claimed through finance. It does not appear automatically in your pay.
MALT (Monetary Allowance in Lieu of Transportation)
- ◆If you drive to your new duty station, the Army pays you $0.205/mile (2026 MALT rate, DTMO MAP 73-25(I)) for the official distance.
- ◆This is called MALT-Plus when combined with per diem. You receive mileage + per diem + lodging for each travel day.
- ◆Travel days: first day = 400 miles, each additional day = 350 miles (JTR Ch. 3).
- ◆Example: 1,400-mile PCS = 4 authorized travel days. You receive MALT for 1,400 miles + 4 days of per diem.
- ◆If you have dependents traveling separately, you can claim mileage for their vehicle too (at a reduced rate).
TLE (Temporary Lodging Expense)
- ◆Reimburses hotel costs while you search for permanent housing at your new (or old) duty station.
- ◆CONUS: up to 14 days total (can split between old and new station).
- ◆OCONUS: up to 60 days (varies by location and orders).
- ◆Reimbursed at actual cost up to the locality lodging rate. Keep all hotel receipts.
- ◆TLE must be authorized on your orders. If it's not listed, request an amendment before you travel.
Per Diem — M&IE (Meals and Incidental Expenses)
- ◆Standard CONUS M&IE rate: $68/day (GSA FY2026). Up to $92/day in high-cost areas.
- ◆Paid for each authorized travel day. No receipts required — it is a flat daily rate.
- ◆On the first and last travel day, you receive 75% of the daily rate.
- ◆If government meals are available (dining facility on post), your M&IE is reduced accordingly.
File your travel voucher within 5 days of arrival. Late vouchers delay payment by weeks and can trigger audit flags.
The PCS Checklist
A PCS has dozens of moving pieces. Miss one and you're scrambling at the last minute. Follow this timeline and you'll execute a clean move.
90 Days Out
- ◆Attend TMO briefing (mandatory). Understand your weight allowance and move options.
- ◆Log in to Defense Personal Property System (DPS) at move.mil and create your move.
- ◆Get a PPM estimate if you're considering a personally procured move.
- ◆Start researching housing at your new duty station — BAH rates, neighborhoods, school districts if applicable.
- ◆Notify your landlord if you're breaking a lease (SCRA applies — 30-day written notice after next rent payment).
- ◆Schedule dental and medical appointments for pre-PCS clearance.
60 Days Out
- ◆Schedule HHG pickup date with your assigned moving company (or book a rental truck for PPM).
- ◆Begin housing search at gaining station — contact the housing office, browse listings, coordinate with sponsor.
- ◆Start clearing post: check your installation's clearing checklist for appointment lead times.
- ◆Schedule CIF turn-in — this is the appointment most likely to be booked out weeks in advance.
- ◆Request copies of your medical and dental records.
- ◆Update SGLI beneficiaries and legal documents if needed.
30 Days Out
- ◆Complete CIF turn-in. Replace or pay for any missing/damaged gear.
- ◆Clear finance — ensure all pay issues are resolved before you leave.
- ◆Clear housing (if on-post) — schedule inspection, deep clean, coordinate with housing office.
- ◆Disconnect utilities, forward mail (USPS change of address), close local accounts.
- ◆Finalize vehicle registration and insurance for new state.
- ◆Get hard copies of every clearing document. Do not rely on digital systems alone.
Move Week
- ◆HHG: be present for packing and pickup day. Document the condition of every item with photos and video.
- ◆PPM: get your empty weight ticket before loading. Load up. Get your full weight ticket.
- ◆Final out with your unit — sign out on leave or permissive TDY if authorized.
- ◆Conduct final inspection of your housing (if applicable).
- ◆Hit the road. Keep all gas receipts, toll receipts, and lodging receipts for your travel voucher.
Sponsor program: Your gaining unit should assign you a sponsor — a soldier at the new duty station who answers your questions about housing, in-processing, and the local area. If you haven't heard from a sponsor 60 days out, contact the gaining unit's S-1 directly.
Saving Money on Your PCS
A PCS is one of the few times the military hands you a check with room to profit. Most soldiers leave money on the table because they don't understand the system. Don't be that soldier.
PPM Moves Can Net $2,000–$8,000+ Profit
- ◆The government pays you based on weight and distance — not what you actually spend.
- ◆Junior enlisted (E-1 to E-4) with minimal furniture can clear $2,000-$4,000 easily on a cross-country PPM.
- ◆Senior NCOs and officers with full 12,000-18,000 lb allowances can profit $5,000-$8,000+ on long-distance moves.
- ◆You can do a partial PPM — let the Army move your heavy items (HHG) and PPM the rest yourself for extra cash.
- ◆Rent the cheapest truck that fits your load. Shop U-Haul, Penske, and Budget — prices vary dramatically by date and route.
Negotiate and Document Everything
- ◆For HHG moves: you have the right to request a specific pickup window. Push back on inconvenient dates.
- ◆Photograph and video every item before movers touch it. Time-stamped photos win damage claims.
- ◆Inventory sheet: check every line item before signing. Mark anything pre-damaged. Do not let movers rush you through the inventory.
- ◆If movers damage items, file a claim through DPS within 75 days of delivery. The reimbursement covers full replacement value.
TLE Lodging Tips
- ◆Use IHG Army Hotels (on-post) when available — rates are below the locality cap and you keep the difference.
- ◆Extended-stay hotels (Residence Inn, Home2 Suites) often have government/military rates well under the TLE cap.
- ◆If you stay with family or friends, you cannot claim TLE lodging — but you still receive the M&IE portion.
- ◆Split your 14 TLE days strategically: use a few at your old station for final clearing, save the rest for house hunting at the new station.
SCRA Lease Termination Rights
- ◆The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) allows you to break any residential lease with PCS orders.
- ◆Provide written notice plus a copy of your PCS orders to your landlord.
- ◆The lease terminates 30 days after the next rent payment is due. No early termination fee. No penalties.
- ◆This applies to car leases, cell phone contracts, and gym memberships too — though enforcement varies.
- ◆If a landlord refuses to honor SCRA, contact your installation legal assistance office (JAG). They handle this daily.
Every PCS is a financial event. Treat it like one. Track every dollar, keep every receipt, and file your vouchers on time.