‘Tis the season to be moving. Yes, summer is approaching, and military families all over the world are preparing to pack their bags and PCS. Are you one of those families? While I can’t claim to be an expert on the subject after only three PCS moves, I do have a list of “PCS don’ts” that I wish someone had shared with me 10 years ago. Here it goes …
1. Don’t forget to take pictures before, during, and after the PCS. For practical purposes, you need to take pictures of your valuable items before the movers pack them up. But don’t pack up that camera just because the movers arrive. Snap fun photos of your house and your family throughout the process of packing. One of my favorite pack-out pictures is the one I took of my baby sleeping in her Pack-N-Play with a Post-It note stuck on her chest that said “Do Not Pack!” Priceless.
2. When traveling with children, don’t forget to have at the ready baby wipes, antibacterial gel, a change of clothes for everyone in the family (yes, that includes you), reading material, food, drinks (but not too many drinks unless you like public restrooms), toys and gadgets, a cell phone charger, a sense of humor, a whole lot of patience, and possibly a set of earplugs.
3. Don’t wait until you reach your final destination to research the area you will soon be calling home. I have to admit I’m horrible at this, but thankfully my husband is a research guru. By the time we reach our new duty station it seems he already knows the ins and outs of the entire city — including the best schools, hotels, parks, neighborhoods, routes to work and things to do on the weekends. You name it, he’s researched it. And knowledge truly does make life a little easier.
4. Don’t decline offers to help. When my neighbor invited my son over for a playdate on our pack-out day, I jumped on it. Whether friends offer their babysitting services, a hot lunch, a place to crash, an air mattress or a stiff drink, take it! This is no time to prove how skilled you are at multitasking.
5. Don’t hold your breath that your shipments will arrive on the estimated arrival date you were given. They won’t. So be prepared for long hotel stays, picnics on the floor, and elevator music while you sit on hold with the personal property office.
6. Don’t leave things lying around your house that you don’t want packed. The movers can’t read your mind. If you don’t want your underwear packed, hide it in your suitcase. If you don’t want the diapers packed, put them in your car. If you don’t want to find a trash can filled with trash on the other end, make sure all garbage is at the curb. I learned this one the hard way as the very patient mover dug through three boxes of meticulously wrapped kitchen items to find the baby bottles I had carelessly left sitting on the counter. If you can’t find a place to hide stuff? I’m a big fan of Post-It notes with big X’s. Even movers in foreign countries know that that means hands-off.
7. Don’t let friends see you off on departure day. It’s just too hard. Say “goodbye” and shed your tears the day before. Then make a clean getaway on departure day. You can’t make a fresh start with mascara dripping down your face.
8. Don’t expect your husband to be there to help. Whether he misses the pack-out or the pack-in or the travel in between, you should prepare yourself to deal with any and all portions of the PCS by yourself. But that’s no problem. After all, you’re a MilSpouse. You’re used to doing things on your own by now, right?
9. Don’t be too hard on yourself. PCS’ing is stressful, and exhausting, and frustrating and makes you want to poke your eyes out with a fork. You’ll forget to pack something that should have been packed. You’ll get lost the second you pull away from the airport. You’ll mortify the Japanese moving men by nursing your newborn because no one told you that in Japan public breastfeeding isn’t as acceptable as it is in the States. But it happens. Life goes on. And you’ll have a funny story to break the ice with the new people you meet at your next duty station.
And, most importantly …
10. Don’t panic! I promise you’ll reach your destination in one piece, even if your grandmother’s china doesn’t.
What would you add to the list?
About Heather Sweeney
Comments
One thing I love to do that goes along with #1 — take pictures of arrangements in my home — i.e., photo walls, mantel arrangements, etc. I used to spend weeks & months getting my home just the way I want it, then move & forget how I had everything before. Once I started taking photos before dismantling things for a move, I could go back & use the photos for inspiration, or simply to copy the look in our new home.
Great list!
I am preparing for my very first pcs this June. I have to admit I am a bit nervous, but excited as well. I love your list. I love all the small details that I would probably never think of. Thanks ladies.
Hey! I seen u r pcsing in June for the first time! Me too! I’m so stressed its not funny! And Idk how to get all this done and keep my job in the process lol. So where r y’all getting stationed? Camp lejuene NC for us!
My first move will be this June as well!
This is great advice for anyone who is moving – not just our military families. I am a "veteran" of at least 5 corporate moves over the last 20 years, and completely agree with your list.
Best wishes to you all, and thank you for your service!
public breast feeding that is so funny but we traveled all over the world none English speaking country but every airport has a nursing section and waiting area with playground for kids:)we move many times but our movers put a mark which is which I never had any problem pcsing except taking all the stuff outside the box and decorate a new home
I really need to remember #7! I can remember a friend (and all of us left behind) in tears as she pulled away. Now, I think about the day I have to leave a very dear friend and it makes me so sad thinking how fast that day is approaching. But, we can shed our tears the day before and I can leave this duty station tear free and ready for the next adventure!
All these are great tips!!
Saying your goodbyes to family and friends the day before makes things so much easier. It also makes it better for the kids to
Before the packers come, pick a room to put things in that do not get packed. A bedroom or bathroom works well. Close the door and post a sign. If you have something of great value, move it yourself. Expect that anything that you let the military move to be possibly damaged or lost.
As a military wife for 20 years with 4 additional huge moves post service under my belt, I agree wholeheartedly with the above mentioned list. Even though the movers didn't really agree with me, I took all my pictures off the wall, & placed together so they would be packed together. This way any box marked as a picture was unpacked last. I hated having them lean against the walls for days until I was ready to hang them. Note-My daughters "blankee" was packed in just the short time it took for her to go to the bathroom. I also did the room designation idea-works like a charm.
This is very relevant to me as we are about to PCS to Fort Bragg. Does anyone know of any good apartment complexes in the Bragg area?
Hey. My husband and I just got to Fort Bragg. The Preserve at Grande Oaks is nice. The Reserve at Carrington Place is nice but not as nice as the Preserve at Grand Oaks, but they are slightly less than Preserve, so it probably depends on your BAH. I would recommend staying around the complexes in the Reilly and Morganton area. They are in a good part of town (and there are some sketchy parts of town in Fayetteville), close to base, and near Skibo (where the mall, restaurants, and all that are).
Live on post…it's super dangerous there. We just left and my brother and sister-in-law still live there. At the very least, find a gated community.
With my first move I had a really hard time with a "surprise" party my friends/ co-workers had for me – the PCS move was just so stressful as it was and then not feeling in control of how I wanted to say good-bye led to a very regretful / stressed out / good bye guest of honor. Don't be afraid to ask/ tell your friends what YOU want/ need in order to get through this very stressful event- especially if it's your first.
We solved the packing up by buying a trailer and moving from one trailer park to another. You have to tape the dresser drawers closed. Put tape on the windows and the mirrors. Tape cabinet doors shut and etc. And all the yard care stuff gets packed in including the storage shed. But it did save unpacking everything but the kitchen.
We lived in that trailer 14 years through 4 moves.
Teresa
With 20+ military years and another 15 years civil service moves – this is a nice list. When taking the pictures – they will also serve as claim material should items become lost or damaged. Take pictures of absolutely everything – you'll feel silly taking pictures of kitchen electronics, bath accessories, all of your collectibles — but trust me – if you ever have to prove to a claims office that you really had these items – pictures are worth their weight in gold. Also, never allow movers to pack your good jewelry. They can pack the jewelry box or however you store it – but carry your good jewelry on you.
Also, I would highly recommend being very, very specific with the movers. Our last move: found a half full gas can in with baby bedding. Not happy! I have 6 moves and counting! Inter-Europe ones are fun…we’ve got a rhythm now…it’s always going to be chaos, just accept it!
Great list! My tip is to let the movers unpack your boxes and unwrap your furniture once your shipement (finally) arrives and then take the boxes and paper with them. There is nothing worse than spending hours and hours unpacking your stuff, only to find you don't have the room to put it away because your house is full of packing paper!!
Why do you keep forgetting that some of the soldiers are women who are married to men? My wife is the military spouse. Can you learn to make gender neutral soldier and spouse statements?
Lighten up! No one is suggesting a military spouse has to be a woman; you must realize many of us are not accustomed to having to be "gender neutral"… didn't know anyone would feel left out if they weren't personally acknowledged.
Really?! If this makes you so butt hurt start a blog yourself. I'm sure she no one intended to hurt your feelings.
If it is possible to find your new home before moving then do it! When your household goods go from door to door instead of door to storage it decreases the chances of things getting broken or lost.
We are fixing to pcs to Fort Carson can anyone tell me what the best school to send my 6th and 9th grader too? They have been in the same 1a school since kindergarten .
Very well said on all accounts! Including the trash…that always cracks me up how meticulously they will wrap up a used dixie cup from the bathroom. We PCS in October, and my new invention is the "Retirement" box – I have a whole closet of things ready to be packed that I don't plan to un-pack for another 7 years :)
Cheyenne Mountain Charter Academy/The Vanguard School (district 12, or you can try the lottery) or District 20 schools although far from Carson are good.
#8. Appreciate you using the term "spouse", but stick with it throughout you article. I'm a proud army husband. Using spouse this way makes it feel like you just use the term to be PC. And not really meaning it
Can't you just appreciate the article?
My tip is to take a pic of the back of the computer tower before unplugging anything and then put all loose wires and accessories in labeled ziplock bags. After all 4 moves the hardest thing for me to do was always putting the computer back together.
We put all electric cables and small things like power chargers, wall adapters, old cell phones etc. into ziploc bags. So much easier than going through a box stuffed full of a jumble of black wires and cables whilst looking for something specific. Ziploc bags are also great for screws and hardware that comes if you need to disassemble any furniture or equipment. Tape the bag onto the item so you can find it again easily.
We have PCSed several times stateside and overseas. The worst was the movers that would not pack my opened bottles of spices, but then packed opened boxes of cereal that were left out on the counter from a hasty breakfast…the best was the moving company that built a special moving crate for my husband's Harley. You just have to communicate clearly with the movers, and be sure to contact the HHG office if you are having ANY issues with the movers.
Great tips! Taking pictures of belongings is very helpful, my husband takes pictures of the back of our electronics, so when we set up the surround sound, play station, tv, etc. it is easy to see what cord goes where. We have also placed colored electrical tape on cords to make the process faster. Another piece of advice I have is to pack a box of miscellaneous necessities, such as a couple rolls of toilet paper, roll of paper towels, a cheap shower curtain w/hooks, a hammer, nails, multipurpose screwdriver. After unpacking all day it’s nice to be able to shower. It is always nice to have some tools handy and not have to open every box searching!
I am preparing for our first PCS and it’s overseas as well!! Of course my hubby is already there but thankfully I have awesome friends that are helping and keeping me occupied while I wait!
I agree on everything excepted one thing I will not let a complete stranger watch my child I don’t care if I have met them or not a few times. We make a list before they come about everything. One thing watch them and make sure they dont pack stuff up that stays in the house they packed the fork and spoon holder for the dish washer
I agree on everything excepted one thing I will not let a complete stranger watch my child I don’t care if I have met them or not a few times. We make a list before they come about everything. One thing watch them and make sure they dont pack stuff up that stays in the house they packed the fork and spoon holder for the dish washer.
I would recommend recruiting a couple of family members and/or friends to come and help keep an eye on things the day the packers come. You can't possibly be in every room at all times. Recruit people who know you and your preferences well, and then give them instructions as to how you would like things packed. I was at work when the packers came and my husband was the only one at home. He couldn't supervise everything at once. Unfortunately, our packers were horrible. I wish I had had my mom, sister-in-law and best friend there to guide the packers and catch them when they were doing stupid stuff… like bending my long tubes of wrapping paper in half in order to fit them into moving boxes…. or putting our kitchen cleaver (unwrapped) in a box full of books (glad we didn't cut ourselves when we discovered it)…. or packing our bottle of kitchen dish soap (unsealed) in with my tissue gift wrap paper and having it leak all over the tissue paper…. or putting a random lightbulb (unwrapped) inside my husband's bicycle helmet and then placing the helmet on the top of a bunch of kitchen supplies. I could go on and on with the crazy way they packed our belongings.
I honestly could never let someone pack my own sh**. If I myself was deployed or physically incapable of packing and moving items/boxes then i suppose that's different. Every time I move, I have always been packed and sealed well before the movers were even scheduled. Is this a foreign concept to pack your own stuff? I'm just wondering because I swear not one person on any PCS forum has mentioned packing it up themselves. Thats just too much trust to place in a total stranger. Especially considering all the horror stories circulating about….
Cleo, I don’t know about other branches, but the Air Force won’t allow you to pack up your own stuff if TMO is shipping it. They do this so they can take inventory of all the stuff. Believe me I would love to pack up my own stuff.
When i moved, i had all my things packed up in storage and the movers unpacked it so they could do it their way.
Very nice article. Love the trash comment. We had this happen on our first move. I worked on packing day (won't make that mistake again either) and my husband was home to supervise. I came home and noticed the bathroom trash can was packed up. I went through a box marked bathroom and sure enough I found the trash can full of trash. Also, loved the comment about how meticulously they will wrap even odds and ends. I found a lovely little paper folded packet containing 4 twist ties one time. We told the movers on our first move that we were leaving the microwave, so they made sure to pack the plate inside the microwave only. Ugh, the list goes on! Can't wait until next time to see what crazy suprises are in store.
Cleo, the Army doesn't allow you to pack your own stuff either. I too would much rather pack my own stuff! When I asked I was informed that they have to take inventory of everything and that they (the movers) become liable for your stuff, so they have to pack it as they see fit.
This article was very helpful and so were some of the comments. My fiance and I are getting married and pcsing for the first time next month. I didn’t know u couldn’t pack ur own stuff. I’m with Cleo. I planned to already be packed and ready to go. By the way, can anyone suggest good schools in the Ft. Lewis area?
If you want to pack all your own stuff, and you are staying in the States, you should do a DITY. That is mainly what that process is there for.
I live on Mcchord, which is the Air Force Base that is right next door. The on base/in Lakewood school district is not very good. Many service members with children live off base, so their children can go to different districts. The closest place with great schools is Lacey. Its about 9-15 miles from Fort Lewis main gate, depending on the part of Lacey you choose. So depending on how far off the highway you go, it'll impact your drive, but there are lots of back roads that make the drive very manageable. Lacey is also a nice place to live, and well priced. You can rent a nice sized house for the BAH you're given (we found several 2-3 bedrooms). If you find you don't like Lacey, though, you can search school ratings for Washington and see. There's a site called schooldiggers.com. We found that most of the base schools (clover park school district) have 1-2 stars, where North Thurston school distict, in Lacey, has 3-5s. When our son starts school, we're moving off base to Lacey.
great list, but seeing as I am a male spouse and my wife is in the service, number eight would have to be "Don’t expect your SPOUSE to be there to help" instead of "husband". All in all love the list.
We are getting ready to move in August. We will be going from Washington State to San Diego and then on to Japan. My husband has been in the military for a while, but we have managed to not move in ten years. So much to do that I forgot about. Thanks for the list.
I have one thing no one seems to think about–the packers/loaders & the driver of that truck. I have always provided coffee, tea & donuts or pastries as a morning snack, something for lunch and having refreshment or water available during the day. Especially in the warmer weather. I also permitted them to use our bathrooms since many times the nearest facilities are often not "just around the corner". Common courtesy & thoughtfulness can work both ways.
We almost always do a DITY move. I know we have to up-front the money, but we get back at least what we spend and know our things are how we want them to be. Luckily I now have 5 grown children to help, 4 of them men, but we did this even when we had 5 children under the age of 6 and it worked well for us.
I noticed some of you requesting info about areas of upcoming moves. We are being sent to Dallas for a two year fellowship program. I have middle and high school kids. Dallas is such a huge area…any recommendations for schools and neighborhoods? We are used to living in family-friendly small towns. Schools need to have good band and academics!! My husband will be commuting to Baylor Medical Center in Dallas. Thanks in advance!
Thanks in advance!
Oh dear Lord! The biggest thing I would add to this list is personal files! What I mean is this. I have a filing cabinet filled with all our important, not so important and sentimental papers. This ranged from my kids birth certificates and my husbands work forms down to drawings my kids made for the first time ever… and everything in between. Medical documents, recipes and so on.
I do not know what had possessed me to think otherwise (perhaps because of the previous move they left them alone!?) but, I assumed they would tape up the cabinet and leave the papers inside intact. I was so wrong. And of course they are trying to pack 6 years of accumulation in 4 hours so they did not have the time to gently remove the papers. Instead I opened a box and found 50 folders empty and stacks of papers scattered around the box. Reorganize? Forget it!
If I could do it over again, I would have packed the papers myself to ensure they stayed neatly organized. As it stands, the box sits in a closet after all the important papers were found and we've "restarted" the filing system!
I am coming up on my 8th PCS in 10 years but this will be my first as a dependant spouse. All the rest were while I was on Active Duty. Reading this list and looking back on my last ten years, I wish someone had told me some of these things before. I hope this one will be different becuase I am a Stay at home mom (which is way more demanding than anything i ever did on active duty, deployments, training and all) this time and I should have more time to plan and organize. Before, I would have so much to do with out processing that I never had time to do the basics on this list and by moving day, everything was so crazy and last minute that I never had a moment to think about any of this. Good luck PCSers;)
We actually have a sony video cam that you can pull stills from the footage so before our first military move I just walked through each room of the house opening drawers, doors and up on shelves to get every last bit of the house. When I came to an expensive item I would verbally note it as well. I felt a bit silly scanning through the place but it was reassuring to have, especially after a mix up with the movers that delayed our belongings over a month… Great first experience but now I'm prepared for anything! :-)