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 command who is assigned to assist with settling into your new
location. A sponsor is usually assigned through your gaining
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 in processing.
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 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.
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 or after the
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 office. You 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 or up to 60-days after
arrival.
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 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 $91 per day,
plus $68.25 per day for their spouse and each family member at least 12 years or
older ($45.50 per day for each family member under 12 years old). Spouses who
travel separately, receive $91 per day (the per diem for other family members
traveling separately is $68.25 or $45.50, 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
+ 3 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 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. 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/or family member's 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 family members 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
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. 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 the SmartWebMove website 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.
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 your car be serviced. 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)
Duty Orders/Service
Record
Immunization
records
School records, if
possible
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 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).
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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 may 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.
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REPORTING
PROCEDURES
Naval Base Point Loma Reporting Procedures
From 7:30 a.m.
to 4 p.m., report to the Administrative Office in Building 140, second floor,
Room 204. After hours, weekends or holidays, report to the Combined
Bachelor Housing front desk, Bldg. 601, to have orders endorsed and receive
berthing if needed.
SUBMARINES and COMSUBRON (CSS) 11
From 7:30 a.m.
to 4 p.m., report to the CSS 11 Administrative Office located on the fourth
floor of Building 633 at the head of the south pier. After hours,
weekends or holidays check in with the Operations Center located on the fourth
floor of building 633.
Arco (ARDM 5)
From 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., report
to the Administrative Office onboard Arco, on the south pier. After
hours, weekends and holidays check in with the Quarterdeck.
Military
Sealift Command (MSC) PAC
From 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., report to MSCPAC
Administrative Office. After hours check in at Combined Bachelor
Housing, Bldg. 601, to have orders endorsed. Civilian Mariners check
in at Building 215.
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.
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 Base San Diego to receive a
claims package for completion. All claims packages must be submitted
to Naval Legal Service Office Southwest, Claims Division. Refer to
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 recommend 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
- Upon arrival 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 Work and Family
Life Consultants can help with general information, phone numbers, and
points-of-contact for civilian and military resources such as child care,
employment, housing, immigration, 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, driving in
California and driver's license information, Mexico, transportation, cost of
living, cost of renting and buying a house, shopping and local
attractions.
WELCOME KITS: Many times when PCSing to San Diego
or any duty station for that matter, you arrive prior to your household goods
arriving. The Fleet and Family Support Center (FFSC) has available
for loaning out a "Welcome Kit". Each kit is full of the basic
household necessities, such as coffee pot, toaster, dishes, pots, pans and
utensils. Futons mats, irons and ironing boards are also available
for check out. These kits are based on availability and loaned out
for 2 weeks at a time. Items are available for checkout at FFSC Naval
Base San Diego and Naval Base Coronado.
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.
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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. 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.