Supporting the Relocation, Travel, and Lifestyle Needs of the American Military Family

Getting Ready to Move: 4 to 6 months in advance

• Help your children say good bye to the important people in their lives. For their friends, a pizza or make-your-own sundae party is a fun way to celebrate the friendship. An album or poster with photos of good times together will add to the celebration. If your children are comfortable, encourage hugs at the end of the party. With neighbors or other special adults, you may want to set up a time to stop by and say good bye as a family.
• Reassuring children while preparing to move: As a parent, remind them that their friends will still be friends, even after the move.
• Expect the unexpected: few moves go smoothly, anticipate trouble (predict it!) and have a positive, "can do" attitude.
• Reassuring children while preparing to move: As a family, look at moving as a special gift that can surprise and delight you.
• Reassuring children while preparing to move: As a parent, involve your children in family decisions and give them a role in the move (taking care of siblings, pets, plants, etc.)
• Help older children prepare a list of phone numbers and addresses of close friends, relatives, and other important people in their lives. Knowing they can stay in touch with these people is an important part of a successful move.
• Reassuring children while preparing to move: As a parent, tell them that other children have similar feelings about moving.
• Reassuring children while preparing to move: As a family, talk about how things will be hectic during the move but will soon settle down.

• If you are transporting the pet by plane, try to book a direct flight to minimize the time the animal may be sitting outside the plane in inclement weather conditions. Some airlines provide counter-to-counter service so your pet will be carried on and off the plane by an airline employee. While this service costs a little more, it may be worth it for your peace of mind.

• Make an inventory of possessions and valuable items (take pictures or video tape). Get appraisals for antiques or collections.
• Make a list of people and organizations you need to notify
• Notify your landlord you will be moving, but do not give him or her an exact date right now.
• Start planning for special moving needs if you have an infant.
• Time to think about how you're going to move. Are you doing it yourself? Or hiring a professional? Start familiarizing yourself with options and your budget. If you are doing it yourself you can find a list of Truck Rentals in your area on MilitaryAvenue at Moving Services, Truck Rentals
• Hold on to all your moving receipts - they may be tax deductible! Put them in your ‘Moving’ Day-Planner
• Update your address book of friends and relatives
• Begin to clean out hard-to-pack areas like the attic, basement, garage, and other storage areas. Pack seasonal items that you will not be needing right away, such as holiday decorations, clothes, and seldom-used items.

• Contact relocation manager at current and new duty stations. Schedule meeting with relocation manager at current station. To help the relocation manager help you obtain all the benefits to which you are entitled, advise relocation manager whether you are married, whether your spouse is a military member and provide the number of children or other family members living with you.
• Begin making shipping arrangements for your vehicle(s) if necessary. If you are using your base transportation office, schedule a counseling session.
• As soon as you receive your orders, call your Personal Property Office (PPO) and set an appointment. Before you go to the appointment, do some research to make the most of your session. Even if you and your family have PSCed several times before, no two moves are exactly the same. Changes to your personal situation, your new duty station, or military regulations may greatly affect your move.