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At Army Wife Network we get all sorts of moving questions. It inspires us to create pages of resources & even columns written on the topic. This is an excerpt from a recent Field Problem(tm) that I thought would not only help you but inspire you to add your own MOVING TIPS to share. Enjoy! I'd like to get advice or tips on moving (especially your first move) in the Army. Can you help? First things first, your husband should get his orders for PCS (Permanent Change of Station) and then set up an appointment with Transportation. Typically, you have three options: (1) Let the military hire a civilian moving company to pack and move you all at the military's expense; (2) DITY move; (3) partial DITY move which is a combination of (1) and (2). From this appointment, he will learn the regulations for moving, entitlements, allotments, pet and vehicle shipment, unaccompanied baggage policies, etc. Basically he will learn what is covered, to whom, and to where. He will give Transportation a date to have the movers come pick up your household goods. Then, he will give them a date to deliver the goods. They can hold them in storage until you confirm the housing arrangements if you do not have them in advance. You can also attend this appointment. In fact, we encourage you to. Statistically, men are “big picture”; women “sweat the small stuff.” You can be sure that the success of your move is in the details, and at that meeting is where you will get the specifics detailing your particular move. It is well worth your time to attend. In the meantime here is some good advice we have gathered from other spouses as well as from our own experiences: • Notify your children’s school of the upcoming PCS about 3 months out or as soon as possible. • Call the veterinary clinic and find out requirements for moving your pet. • Update your military ID card, driver’s license, and Power of Attorney before you leave. • Plan your route to the new location and book temporary accommodations for your travel and arrival at the new location. • Start and keep a household inventory including serial numbers of all electronics and appliances. And, take pictures. • Have your post office hold your mail until you know your new location. • Separate “do not pack” items (like valuables) from the items the movers are going to pack. • Gather your important documents (medical records, marriage license, military ID, children’s school records, vet records, several copies of orders, etc.) and hand-carry them to your next station. • Show the movers where the bathroom is and where to find snacks and drinks. (They pack nicer for you). • Carefully review your household inventory BEFORE signing it. • Don’t confuse assertiveness with rudeness — that will get you nowhere but with a bunch of broken items. Our first times, we did not realize that it would be so hard to leave one “home” to go someplace we were so excited to get to. Unfortunately, it does not ever seem to get easier. Hopefully, you will find something you love at each station that is just hard to let go. As you go on through your husband’s career with the military, your moves might flow better in terms of knowing what is going to happen next, but it is never easy to leave. Going new places and seeing and doing new things is exciting. Not knowing what is around the bend is stressful. So take your time, do your research, and do not be afraid to ask for help NOTE: This question came in from Amanda a military spouse who's husband is a SPC in the US ARMY stationed at Fort Stewart, GA so it is written as a response to her. There is still a lot to learn from this even if you are a male military spouse or a spouse from a different service.