For our nation’s military service members and their families, a Permanent Change of Station (PCS) is a routine part of life. But just because it’s a regular occurrence doesn’t make it any less challenging. A military move comes with its own unique set of rules, acronyms, and logistical hurdles. For service members stationed at one of Southern California’s many military bases or moving to or from the area, one of the most important decisions you’ll make is how to move your household goods (HHG). You generally have two primary options: a government-arranged move or a Personally Procured Move (PPM). Understanding the difference between these two can help you make the best choice for your family and your finances.
Option 1: The Government-Arranged Move
This is the most traditional and hands-off option for a PCS move. In a government-arranged move, your installation’s transportation office is responsible for hiring and managing a commercial moving company to pack, transport, and deliver all of your belongings.
- How it Works: You submit your request through the Defense Personal Property System (DPS), and the government handles all the logistics. A government-approved moving company will be assigned to you.
- Pros: It’s incredibly convenient. You don’t have to worry about finding or managing a mover yourself. The government pays the moving company directly (up to your authorized weight allowance).
- Cons: You have very little control over the process. You do not get to choose the moving company that is assigned to you, and you are subject to their schedule, which can sometimes be inflexible and can be a major challenge during the peak summer PCS season.
Option 2: The Personally Procured Move (PPM)
A PPM, which was formerly known as a Do-It-Yourself (DITY) move, gives you much more control and flexibility over your relocation. In a PPM, you are responsible for arranging and managing the move yourself. This does not mean you have to rent a truck and move everything on your own. You can—and a majority of service members do—hire your own professional, commercial moving company.
- How it Works: You will still need to get counseling from your transportation office and set up your move in the DPS. The government will calculate what it would have cost them to move your belongings (the Government Constructed Cost or GCC), and they will reimburse you for 100% of that amount.
- The Major Benefit: The Financial Incentive: If you can complete your move for less than the government’s estimated cost, you are legally entitled to keep the difference. By hiring an efficient and affordable professional moving company, many service members can make a significant amount of money (which is considered taxable income) on their PPM.
- Other Pros: You get to choose a highly-rated, reputable moving company that you trust with your possessions. You have much more control over your packing and moving dates, which can make the entire transition much smoother and less stressful for your family.
The official military moving portal, MilitaryOneSource, provides extensive resources and tools to help you decide which option is best for you and to guide you through the PPM process.
Why Hire Professionals for Your PPM?
Hiring a professional moving company like Right Way Movers for your PPM offers the best of both worlds. You get the full financial benefit and the scheduling control of a PPM, but you don’t have to do the back-breaking work of packing, loading, and driving a large truck yourself. A professional moving company will also provide you with all the necessary documentation, including the certified weight tickets (both empty and full), that you are required to submit to get your full reimbursement.
Your Southern California Military Moving Specialists
We have a deep respect for our military community and understand the unique challenges of a PCS move. For service members and their families in Southern California, the team at Right Way Movers is proud to be a trusted partner for your military moving needs. Contact us today to learn how we can help make your PPM a success.