BEFORE THE MOVE
IF YOU GET MARRIED BEFORE YOU PCS, YOU
MUST INFORM YOUR COMMANDER AND FOLLOW THE PROCEDURES EXACTLY AS YOU ARE GIVEN
THEM. THE MILITARY WILL NOT PAY FOR TRAVEL AND HOUSING OF YOUR SPOUSE
IF YOU DO NOT FOLLOW PROPER PROCEDURES.
RELOCATION
COUNSELING: The Relocation Office of your Fleet and Family Support
Center provides assistance in pre-move planning, workshops and seminars,
one-on-one relocation assistance counseling, destination specific information
such as Welcome Aboard Packages, SITES printouts and housing
availability.
SPONSORSHIP: A sponsor is someone
from your new unit who is assigned to you to assist you in settling into your
new location. A sponsor is usually assigned through your receiving
unit.
A sponsor's duties include:
Contacting you and your family by
letter of introduction or e-mail upon learning of your assignment to the
installation.
Sending any information about the installation/area, which
you may require, or putting you in touch with the proper authorities, which can
supply the information.
Answering any questions which you or your family
may have, or, again, providing the proper resources to answer those
questions.
Being available when you arrive at your installation to meet
you, show you around, and help you through inprocessing.
If you have not
been assigned a sponsor, or have not been contacted as of yet, you may request
one by contacting the commander of your new unit or by using the Sponsor
Assignment Aid on the Stay Navy web site.
FINANCES: As soon as
you get your orders, a spending plan should be developed to save extra money
early to assist with moving expenses. You may want to visit your
Command Financial Specialist or the Fleet and Family Support Center to find out
where you stand with your present budget. They can determine what
needs to be done financially to make a smooth move to this area.
Pay and
Allowances for travel is based on an individual meeting specific eligibility
criteria. Check with your disbursing office to determine your specific
entitlements.
Advanced Pay and Allowance: Advanced pay can be
drawn up to 60-days prior to your move.
No more than three months of advance
pay can be drawn and must be approved by your Commanding Officer. The
advance is normally repaid in equal installments over 12 months. In
certain cases, repayment can be spread over 24 months. Many times
advance pay is spent on other "emergencies" and is not around to assist with
moving expenses. In addition, advance pay automatically reduces your
take home pay. Talk to your Command Financial Specialist prior to
drawing advance pay. If an advance for rental housing is needed, an
advance housing allowance may be issued by the disbursing
officer. You must have already rented housing and must provide a copy
of the rental agreement to document the housing
costs.
Dislocation Allowance (DLA): Active Duty personnel are
entitled to a Dislocation Allowance to offset some of the costs of closing one
home and setting up another. These costs include rent deposits,
utility hookups, etc. DLA can be drawn up to 10-days in
advance.
DLA is not available to service members who:
are without
family members and are assigned to unaccompanied government quarters;
are
transferred to a new duty station in the same geographical location; or
on
separation or retirement orders.
Per Diem Allowance: Along with the DLA,
food and lodging costs are reimbursed when making a Permanent Change of Station
(PCS) move. The allowance is paid at a daily rate for you and your
family members. Auto travel is at the rate of 350 miles per day (not
to exceed the official authorized distance) and is used to determine how many
days per diem will be paid. Note that per diem may be drawn in
advance.
The Per Diem Allowance for:
Service Members is
$86 per day, plus $64.50 per day for their spouse and each family member at
least 12 years or older ($43 per day for each family member under 12 years
old).
Spouses who travel separately, receive $86 per day (the per diem for
other family members traveling separately is $64.50 or $43, depending on their
age).
Mileage in Lieu of Transportation (MALT): Service members receive
MALT when they drive to a new duty assignment.
Service Member (alone) 15
cents per mile
Service Member + 1 Family Member 17 cents per mile
Service
Member + 2 Family Members 19 cents per mile
Service Member + 2 Family
Members 20 cents per mile
Family Member (alone) 15 cents per mile
2 Family
Members 17 cents per mile
3 Family Members 20 cents per mile
These
rates also apply to a second car, when use is authorized. Approval
for usage of three Privately Owned Vehicles (POV) is required in
advance.
Temporary Lodging Expense (TLE): TLE is for PCS transfers within
the United States. TLE provides service members up to $180 per day
(for a maximum of ten days) to offset temporary housing costs incurred locally,
before departing for an old duty station or after reporting to a new duty
station. Personnel going overseas are entitled to TLE for five
days. The actual TLE is figured by a complex formula and is different
in each area. You must check into your command upon arrival in order
to be eligible. TLE cannot be drawn in advance.
Visit the Per
Diem, Travel and Transportation Allowance Committee web site for additional
information.
HOUSEHOLD GOODS: Household goods are defined as
all belongings associated with the home and all personal effects belonging to a
member and member's dependents as of the effective date of that member's
permanent or temporary change of station orders.
UNACCOMPANIED
BAGGAGE: Unaccompanied baggage may consist of personal clothing,
cooking and eating utensils, small appliances, and equipment required for the
care of you and your dependents for travel and upon immediate arrival at your
new duty station. These items in total should weigh less them 1000
lbs. as it counts towards your total shipping weight
allowance. Furniture is not included as unaccompanied
baggage. Sailors who want more information about unaccompanied
baggage should contact their local Personal Property Office
PERSONALLY
PROCURED MOVES (formally Do-It-Yourself [DITY] moves): Personally
Procured Moves is a program designed to provide you with alternatives to move
your household goods via personally owned vehicles, using rental equipment or by
hiring a commercial mover. Under this program you can receive
reimbursement up to 100% of the Government Constructive Cost (GCC) or an
incentive payment of 95% of the GCC. An advance operating allowance
can be authorized to defray out of pocket moving costs (rental equipment, HHG
mover charges, packing material, etc.).
Individual situations
may vary widely so prior to making a personally procured move it is recommended
that you be counseled and get approval by a personal property
office. Failure to get approval from the personal property office MAY
result in non-payment of your reimbursement claim or incentive
payment. Contact your local Personal Property Office to help you
determine the most cost-effective method of moving your household goods.
NOTE: Personally procured moves to overseas areas are not
recommended. Participation in the Personally Procured Move Program is
voluntary. You may chose a Personally Procured Move, a Government
Move, or a combination of the two methods, subject to entitlement
limitations.
SORTING OF HOUSEHOLD CONTENTS: If possible sort through your
belongings and select items that you believe your family will never use
again. Encourage your children to do the same with their own
belongings. Articles that have outlived your family's usefulness can
be sold in a garage sale or donated to a charitable organization. If you donate
articles, ask for a receipt for income tax
purposes.
INVENTORY OF GOODS: It is recommended
that you complete an inventory of everything you own. In addition,
create records with photographs or a narrated descriptive home
video. The inventory and photographs along with qualified appraisals
will provide proof of ownership and condition in case of damage or
loss. A disinterested person should countersign your prepared
inventory, and you should retain the original in case it is needed to file a
loss or damage claim. The moving company will inventory your goods as
well, but the contents are not always as specific. For instance, a
box could be marked "China" without noting the manufacturer or the number of
place settings. Members must be prepared to provide evidence to
support the loss or damage.
WEIGHT ALLOWANCES: This refers to
your weight allowances for unaccompanied baggage and household goods shipped for
your move (CONUS or OCONUS). Weight allowances are determined based
on your rank and whether you have dependents or not. If your
unaccompanied baggage and household goods weight exceeds the authorized limits,
you will be required to reimburse the military for the cost of shipping the
excess weight (at whatever rate the contractor charges the
military). Visit your Personal Property Office or your Fleet and
Family Support Center for your current weight allowances.
DISCONNECTING
UTILITIES: Be sure to inform your current utility service providers
of your upcoming move and new address if known. A notice of one month
prior to your move should be sufficient to ensure that your final bill will be
sent to you.
CHANGE OF ADDRESS NOTIFICATION: Visit the U.S.
Postal Service web site to change your address on-line in just a few
steps. It's quick, easy and secure. Please allow 7 - 10
days to begin receiving mail at your new address.
PETS AND
TRAVEL: Whether traveling by air or by car, be sure your pet is
properly identified with current tags/microchip, make sure you have your pet
groomed and also provide your pet with a favorite food and toy to ensure your
pet is comfortable. See Contacts/Links for resources for pets and
travel.
INSURANCE: When moving within the continental United
States, you may request increased valuation or FULL REPLACEMENT coverage for
your household goods at the time of your initial Entitlements Counseling
session. You would be responsible for paying the cost for additional
coverage. The advantage of Full Replacement Insurance is that the
carrier will be liable for the repair and/or full replacement value (comparable
item) of any item damaged or lost in shipment up to the declared
valuation. No depreciation will be applied to a replacement
cost. Check with your Personal Property Office for
details.
EMPLOYMENT TERMINATION NOTIFICATION: Approach your
employer with suggestions to maintain your position from another city and be
open to discuss your employer's proposals as well. It is customary to
give your employer a minimum of two weeks notice.
SERVICING OF
VEHICLE(S): Prior to any trip it is recommended that you have your
car serviced, ensuring it is good repair. Be sure to check all
lights, turn signals, brakes, tires, etc.
NECESSARY RECORDS (IMPORTANT
STUFF TO CARRY): Ensure you enroll new family members into Defense
Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) as soon as
possible. You can verify or update your DEERS information by
contacting your nearest uniformed services personnel office (ID card
facility). Only the sponsor can add or delete a family member from
DEERS, and proper documents are required such as marriage certificate, divorce
decree and/or birth certificate. To find your nearest ID card
facility visit the RAPIDS Site Locator web site.
The following is a
recommended list of items to carry with you, DO NOT send these papers in your
household goods shipment. This list is not all-inclusive:
Marriage/birth/divorce/death certificate(s) of your dependent(s)
Medical/dental records
Duty Orders/Service Record
Inoculation
records
School records
Auto and household goods insurance papers
Household Goods Descriptive Inventory/DD Form (619)Government Bill of
Lading
FAMILY HOUSING AT DESTINATION: Visit the San Diego Military
Housing Office web site for detailed information on Military Family Housing,
private sector housing and housing relocation and referral services available to
single military members and military families.
PERMISSIVE TDY
FOR HOUSE HUNTING: Permissive TDY is not an entitlement.
The final approval authority rests with your current Commanding
Officer. House hunting leave is not chargeable to leave for up to 10
days, five of which can be workdays, in conjunction with Permanent Change of
Station (PCS). House hunting TDY can be authorized before you
transfer or after you report to a new command. No transportation or
per diem is paid. This entitlement is allowed when both the old and
new permanent duty stations are located within the 50 states, D.C. and
non-foreign Out of Continental United States (OCONUS).
TRAVEL
PLANNING
Incoming personnel without concurrent travel for dependents are
strongly advised not to bring family members with them. Any family
member who comes under these circumstances will NOT be considered command
sponsored and transportation costs will NOT be
reimbursed.
You may make reservations up to one year in
advance for temporary lodging at the Navy Lodge and we recommend no less than 60
days prior to move, due to unpredictable availability.
Always
keep any receipts in conjunction with your move and while in
transit. See FINANCES, above, for travel
entitlements.
REPORTING PROCEDURES
Building 678 is the first
building on your right once you have cleared the main gate.
Reporting to
Naval Base Coronado (UIC 00246):
1. Between 7:30 am - 4 pm normal
working days, report to Building 678 Quarterdeck to get orders
stamped.
2. If reporting after hours or on non-work days members
go to Building 1500 for berthing and instructed to report to Building 678
Quarterdeck at 7:30 am the next work day.
Reporting to a School on Naval
Base Coronado:
1. Between 7:30 am - 4 pm normal working days,
report to Building 678 Quarterdeck to get orders
stamped.
2. Member is provided directions to the
school house.
3. If reporting after hours or on non-work days
members go to Building 1500 for berthing and instructed to report to school
house at 7:30 am the next work day.
Reporting to Tenant Command to
include Carriers:
1. Between 7:30 am - 4 pm normal working days,
report to Building 678 Quarterdeck to get orders
stamped.
2. Member is provided directions to their
command.
3. If reporting after hours or on non-work days members
go to Building 1500 for berthing and instructed to report to their command at
7:30 am the next work day.
A sponsor serves as a link to the command for
you, the incoming service member, until you are fully up to speed on:
All
the policies and programs pertinent to your new command.
Services/resources
available to you.
What is expected of you at your new command
If you
have not already been assigned a sponsor, check with you Command Career
Counselor or access the Sponsor Assignment Aid web site listed in
Contacts/Links.
AFTER YOU ARRIVE
CONTACTING THE SPONSOR - If your
sponsor has given you their contact information let them know when you have
arrived in San Diego. They will show you around the command and help
you get checked in.
ARRANGING DELIVERY OF HOUSEHOLD GOODS - It is very
important that Personal Property has your current contact information should
your personal property arrive or your temporary storage entitlement
expire. You can notify Personal Property by completing an online form
on their web site, or you may call the Personal Property office
directly.
FILING CLAIMS WITHIN 70 DAYS - Claims MUST be filed within 70
days of receipt of household goods. Take your hot pink DD Form 1840
to the Personal Property Office at Naval Station San Diego. The will
give you a claims package for you to fill out. All claims packages
must be submitted to the appropriate legal/finance office, dependent upon the
branch of service. For Naval personnel see Naval Legal Service Office
Southwest, Claims Division in Contacts/Links.
CONTACTING HOUSING OFFICE
FOR INFORMATION ON TEMPORARY AND PERMANENT HOUSING - Temporary Navy quarters are
not available in the San Diego area. Military families must depend upon local
hotel and motel accommodations or the Navy Lodge. Visit the Housing
Office to be placed on a waiting list for housing or for a list of rentals in
the local community. The Chief of Naval Operations requires all
military members to check in with the Housing Referral Service Office prior to
negotiating any off-base rental or lease
agreement.
CONTACTING FINANCE OFFICE FOR SUBMITTING VOUCHERS
- Now that you have arrived don't forget to submit your travel claim and turn in
all your receipts to your Personnel Support Detachment or Disbursing
Office.
FLEET AND FAMILY SUPPORT CENTER (FFSC) FOR INFORMATION, LENDING
LOCKER, NEWCOMER'S ORIENTATION - Need answers to your
questions? FFSC's Information and Referral Specialists can help with
general information, phone numbers, and points-of-contact for civilian and
military resources such as child care, employment, housing, immigration,
Department of Motor Vehicles policies, food resources, and financial
planning. We are your connection to information for the San Diego
area bases and communities.
For those new to the San Diego
area we have a Welcome to San Diego orientation class, which discusses local
military installations and services/facilities available at each base, the local
population and demographics, driving in California and driver's license
information, Mexico, transportation, cost of living, cost of renting and buying
a house, shopping and local attractions.
Naval Base San Diego and Naval
Base Coronado (Naval Air Station North Island) have lending lockers with items
available for loan while you are waiting for the arrival of your household goods
shipment. Visit the topic area entitled Housing - Installation - Loan
Closet in SITES.
NOTIFICATION OF ARRIVAL TO LOVED ONES - Once you have
arrived in San Diego please be sure to notify family members of your new address
and phone number, including your command's
information.
SEPARATION PROCEDURES
Fleet and Family
Support Center's Transition Assistance Management Program (TAMP) focus' on
making sure our men and women serving in the Navy have the skills, talents, and
knowledge they need to ensure a smooth transition when they ultimately decide to
return to civilian life. In today's workplace, an employee's first
career choice, often the Navy, won't be the last. Our program assists you in
gaining the skills needed to take control of your transition process.
The
Transition Assistance Program (TAP) is your best chance for success for the next
stage of your life. Whether you're retiring, going back to school, or looking
for a new career, success requires planning and resources. The TAP
workshops are more than how to find a job in the civilian sector. TAP
provides all of the information to assist you in gaining the veterans benefits
you have earned. All military service members should attend one of the TAP
workshops well before they transition.
Please visit Fleet and Family
Support Center's web site for a list of TAMP programs and services.