If you are PCSing this year, then you’ve come to the right place!
Here at Mission: Milspouse, we’ve faced our fair share of relocations, DITYs, government moves, overseas stints, and everything in between. We’ve been there and done that, and we have the stickers to prove it.
With all that experience, we know how stressful it can be. Packing and loading mean moving all of your belongings—special things, irreplaceable things—and none of us really want things broken or damaged. While we can’t ensure there won’t be casualties of PCS, we can help you prepare to make the move a little smoother.
Check out all of our blog post pertaining to all things PCS. Get ready for some practical tips AND insight into experiences of those who have been there, moved that.
First, you make the decision to sell your home. This decision is generally made after many thoughtful, analytical, and emotional conversations.
Then, you must determine whether to sell with or without a realtor’s assistance–another decision requiring careful consideration and reflective dialogue.
We moved, again. No, we aren’t PCSing, at least not anytime soon. This move was a surprise move due to a landlord issue, and it only took us about half a mile from our previous home.
I’m not mad. I’ll forget all about having to pack my own household goods, renting the U-haul, trying to lift crazy heavy furniture and wiggle it through doors (even having to take doors off the hinges), and finally unpacking it all.
My husband and I are about knee deep in the middle of our first PCS, and with him in South Korea and me on Long Island, getting our life squared away to move to Fort Drum by the end of the summer has been proving difficult. One of the biggest hurdles to get over, for me, was finding a place to live, sight unseen, from many miles away.
“The taxi is here!” I screamed to my husband, feeling stressed.
“It’s here already? We’re still packing!” he answered. Clothes were on the floor and not in suitcases. Appliances were still plugged in and not packed. You name it, and it was not ready. We were not ready.
My husband and I had been lucky enough to receive an overseas assignment, but the PCS back to America was the first big move we made together since getting married. Looking back on that day, we had no idea how to PCS as a couple. I got into the cab in tears.
“What’s wrong?” my husband asked.
“I’m so stressed!” I said.
We survived the international PCS and two more moves that year for a grand total of three moves in 11 months. I’m happy to report that each time I shed fewer tears. Instead, I felt more prepared, less stressed, and more excited.
Here are 12 tips to help you during your next move.
Once you make the decision to conduct a DITY/PPM move, you may not know where to start. This may be the first time you have conducted a move on your own. No worries—we have some great tips and resources to help you along the way.
There is an air of anticipation within military neighborhoods as moving vans appear, wondering who will move in next door or down the street. Will your new neighbors become life-long friends or just acquaintances? One thing to be certain of, is the hand of friendship will be extended.
Mission: Milspouse is a
501(c)3 nonprofit organization.
EIN Number: 88-1604492
hello@missionmilspouse.org
P.O. Box 641341
El Paso, TX 79904