Personally Procured Moves versus Military Moves

Are you an active-duty military or a civilian contractor?

Then you are probably getting ready for the Permanent Change of Station (PCS) season. Taking care of your move can be a process. Crossing the summer months from May to August, PCS season overlaps with moving season for the general public.

US servicemen and women usually combine or use one of the two usual methods to move their household goods (HHG).

Method 1

The military move is when the transportation office arranges for professional long-distance movers to package and move your belongings to your next station. 

Method 2

Personally Procured Move (PPM) is the fancy phrase for "Do it Yourself" or DITY move. This method allows you to pack and move your items and receive reimbursement from the military from your allocated budget. Don't have much to carry? PPM or a combination of both might be the best option for you. 

Moving with the Military

You can make your decision once you receive an official copy of your PCS orders. Waiting for the exact location and your arrival date can help narrow down the services you need to use for your move.

Remember, military moves are different than a standard cross-country move. The most notable difference is that the military will pay to move your possessions from your current duty station to your new duty assignment.

Register at move.mil if you decide that a complete military move is your best option. 

The moving and storage industry is busier than it has been in the past. Currently, the department of defense is competing with corporate and residential moving requests for long-distance movers.

The next step is to contact your transportation office. They will assign a Transportation Service Provider (TSP) who will work with professional cross-country movers to expedite your move. 

The TSP and the transportation office are fantastic resources. These entities understand and educate themselves on specific local challenges and solutions.

Reputable long-distance movers are also great. Most companies have customer experience and customer service departments and will help you through the process. 

Remember, this is one of the busiest moving seasons of all time. Their primary goal is to make the logistics of your cross-country move as smooth as possible, but they are dealing with the busiest moving season in history. You can request specific dates, but the actual timeline is not guaranteed.

Because wait times are currently exceeding 30 days, the Department of Defense suggests visiting your transportation office as soon as you receive orders. Don't wait until the last second to move. If you are not capable of moving within a given timeline, report these issues to the attention of your chain of command. There's a chance they can change report times or assist you. 

Advantages of Military Move

The military determines your moving limitation by your rank and family size. If you stay within your weight limit, there will be no extra fees. The professionals will do all the heavy lifting for you. Don't get tired before you start your following tasks. We understand you and your family have enough on your plate. Saving time and physical labor will only help you out, especially if the military is taking care of it!

Disadvantages of a Military Move

A military move is a bit different than a typical cross-country move. There is more involved, and it simply isn't just a case of the army hiring professional movers. Otherwise, why would anyone agree to the PPM method?

The military move is a two-step process. Your possessions go from your house to a warehouse first before they go to your next station. This extra stop raises the chance for wear and tear on your household goods. TSP's have many complaints when it comes to the speed of their services. You might not get any of the dates you want because of how busy it is. Don't be surprised if it takes weeks before your beloved possessions join you at your new home. The claims process can be challenging to navigate and slow-moving.

Moving on your own, the Personally Procured Move (PPM)

Do you want to be in control of your move? A Personally Procured Move (PPM) is an excellent choice. Unless you hire extra help, the industry considers PPM as a Do-It-Yourself Move (DITY) method. The responsibility to pack and load your items is your duty.

According to military.com, the Department of Defence reimburses the PPM mover at 100% the rate they would have paid contractors to complete a military move—the military bases this on the weight of your household goods and the services you decide to use. 

Don't forget to weigh the empty trailer or truck to understand how much your items weigh on the trailer. As said before, the military bases your weight limit based on family size and rank. You will pay for anything extra. 

You still need to log onto Move.mil and register to receive your reimbursement. Other industry professionals and we recommend that you procure a Government Travel Charge Card. Doing so will hasten the reimbursement process.

Paying for the move upfront can be costly. Moving materials, truck rentals and storage can be expensive. Request an advance on your PCS funds to help pay for some of these services immediately.

However, if you choose to transport your belongings, remember your limitations. Most people are not licensed to drive full-sized moving trucks. Of course, you can drive a smaller moving truck if you have a smaller household. If authorized, you can also use portable shipping containers such as PODs and get them delivered to your new home. Other moving and storage companies will move self-packed trailers and other smaller containers for you.

Advantages of a PPM Move

The PPM route can offer financial benefits, especially if you don't go over your budget. Because your labor replaces the costs of professional movers, the military will reimburse you with your assigned moving budget. Not only do you get extra cash in your pocket, but you also control the process. Don't operate on the military's schedule if you don't have to! Instead of anticipating an indefinite time, your items arrive the same day that you do.

Drawbacks to PPM Move

You are entirely liable for your move if you decide to do it on your own. Hiring movers will allow them to be accountable for any damages your items may have after the move. Most people don't have the skills, experience or equipment of a professional mover. Reputable companies screen and train their representatives to safely handle all sorts of household goods during the packing and storing process.

Don't waste money on doing something you don't have the proper training or resources to do. Renters insurance may cover some damage, but more often than not, renter’s insurance doesn't offer full coverage. The military holds themselves accountable if you decide to move with them.

You may have control and financial reimbursement when moving on your own. However, time is money. Moving on your own requires a time commitment. This commitment includes playing human Tetris with a full-sized truck or pod. Don't forget you still need to purchase materials for packing. 

You can get affordable packing materials at your nearby hardware store. However, the money you save buying cheap packing materials can cost you much more in the long run. Unlike professional containers, consumer-grade storage supplies don't offer the same protection. There's a bigger chance that your valued heirlooms are damaged and destroyed because you decided to go for the cheaper route. 

Did you just finish a long-distance move? Read this article from our partners A2B to learn what to do after your cross-country move.