Settling In After a PCS

Report to the installation office or location listed in your orders. Your gaining command should provide information about:

• Where and when to report, including after-hours procedures
• Documents and records to bring
• Required office visits, appointments and in-processing steps
• Arrival steps or requirements for family members
• Sponsor or unit point of contact

Log in to the Defense Personal Property System, or DPS, to confirm the status of your shipment and keep in contact with your moving company.

If you’re still waiting for your shipment after arrival, have ready:

• Inventory of your shipment
• Shipping and delivery documents
• A general plan of where larger items should go

• During delivery, check off items as you unpack and note any missing or broken items.
• Compare delivered items with your inventory list and take clear photos of damages.
• Report lost or damaged property through DPS within the required timelines.
• If a delivery delay results in additional expenses or leaves you without essential household items, you may be able to file an inconvenience claim.

Contact your transportation office to help you understand the claims process or to identify which type of claim you should file.

Submit travel vouchers soon after arrival (typically within five business days). Include all required receipts and supporting documents, including:

• PCS orders and amendments
• Lodging receipts
• Transportation receipts
• Mileage information
• Receipts for authorized expenses
• Records of advance payments or allowances

Contact your travel pay or finance office to confirm reimbursable expenses and required paperwork.

Make sure the systems and organizations that affect your pay, benefits, healthcare and daily responsibilities have your updated address, including:

• Military personnel and pay systems
• DEERS and TRICARE
• Banks, lenders and insurance companies
• Schools and childcare providers
• Employers
• Professional licensing organizations
• Motor vehicle and voter registration agencies
• Billing, delivery and subscription accounts

Note: If you’re staying in temporary lodging, wait to update your mailing address if it’s not required immediately. Some accounts or services may still need your current address, so remember to update it again when you move into permanent housing.

Vehicle registration, inspection and installation access requirements vary by location. Check the rules at your new duty station before visiting an office or purchasing anything for your vehicle.

Find and review state and installation-specific requirements, including:

• State registration or inspection
• Updated insurance documents
• Installation vehicle registration
• Access requirements
• Parking permits

PCS moves count as a qualifying life event for TRICARE, so you can make changes to your plan, even if it’s not in the normal enrollment period. Review your coverage and complete any enrollment changes needed for your new location.

Prioritize these steps to continue care and avoid unnecessary gaps:

• Choose or confirm primary care.
• Find local providers and specialists.
• Transfer prescriptions.
• Review and connect with referrals.

Pro tip: Use the TRICARE provider directory to find healthcare providers and essential services in your new location.

Once you’ve started the check-in process, check out newcomer briefings, tours and welcome events to help you get local insight on:

• Installation procedures and policies
• Offices that require appointments vs. walk-in services
• Housing, childcare, schools and healthcare
• Family activities and local programs

Pro Tip: No matter how many times you’ve moved, every installation comes with new services and information to get familiar with. Ask your Military and Family Support Center about what kind of events would help your family most.

Start with what you’ll use every day. Set up sleep areas, stock the essentials and organize important paperwork first to make things feel more manageable, even if most of your belongings are still packed.

Prioritize:

• Beds, bedding and towels
• Toiletries and medications
• Basic clothing items
• Chargers and electronics
• Work and school supplies
• Pet food and supplies
• Basic cookware and dishes
• Comfort items for children

Pro tip: If you’re waiting for your property shipment and need any basic household items, check your local loan closet or lending locker to borrow cookware, dishes, small appliances, furniture or other essentials to help you manage immediate needs.

Rather than trying to fully restock all at once, start with what you need for the next several days. Focus on simple meals, cleaning supplies and other everyday items.

Visit your local commissary or exchange to cover immediate needs while you’re getting settled.

Review the services included with your housing. If you live in military housing, save maintenance contact information and ask about how to submit routine and emergency service requests. Arrange utilities and services that still need to be activated, such as:

• Electricity
• Water
• Gas
• Internet
• Trash and recycling
• Home security
• Mail delivery

Military moves can affect both career plans and personal connections. As you prepare for a new duty station, take steps to keep your career moving forward, build your professional network and connect with your new community.

• SpouseWorks career coaches provide personalized support to help military spouses find employment, refine resume and interview strategies, build portable careers, navigate license transfers and more.
• Build your network with the MilSpouse Career Network LinkedIn Group to connect with fellow military spouses, ask questions and get advice.
• Outside of work, explore spouse groups, volunteer opportunities, fitness classes, playgroups or local events.
• Talk with a peer with firsthand military experience to get one-on-one support and personalized recommendations that fit your interests, family needs and more.

Explore licensed, affordable care options — including full-day, part-day, school-age, hourly and community-based programs.

Pro tip: Visit MilitaryChildCare.com to find military-operated or eligible community-based providers near your new location.

Set up an appointment with a school liaison to make the transition to a new school a little smoother. They can help with:

• School selection and registration
• Record and credit transfers
• Course placement
• Graduation requirements
• Special education services
• Homeschooling
• Activity and extracurricular enrollment

Starting at a new school often comes with questions about classes, activities, social dynamics and more — youth sponsorship gives military children and teens a solid connection with a peer to help them adjust.

Many installations have youth programs that provide a space for children and teens to connect with other military-connected youth. They offer sports, clubs, camps, leadership programs, tutoring, career readiness and more, all to help kids get involved, build relationships and establish a sense of belonging.

After arrival, contact the EFMP Family Support office at your new installation to update your information, get connected with local services and make a plan for care.

• Start with immediate needs, such as restarting therapies, addressing equipment needs, transferring school records, finding accessible programs or arranging respite care.
• For ongoing medical, behavioral health or specialty care, contact your care team or case manager to help transfer referrals, authorizations, prescriptions and treatment plans.

Pro tip: Ask about a warm handoff to get connected to local schools, medical providers or community contacts and avoid gaps in care.

Your sponsor can help you navigate the practical details of settling in that may not be available online. They can answer day-to-day questions, provide local insight and help you navigate the people, places and processes at your new duty station.

Note: If you weren’t assigned a sponsor before your PCS, request one through your new unit or command.

Classes, recreation and family activities are a natural way to meet people while settling into a new routine.

• Morale, Welfare and Recreation programs offer installation-based options such as fitness, outdoor recreation, events, libraries and discounted tickets for local events.
• Explore parks, recreation centers, places of worship and volunteer groups beyond your installation that could become part of your routine.
• Many installations have single service member programs that offer recreational activities, day trips and opportunities to connect with the local community.

Creating a routine can bring more predictability to your day-to-day, reduce stress and help you feel steady in your new home. Start with maintaining regular meals, sleep schedules, school, work, appointments and down time.

Pro tip: Your new routine doesn’t need to look exactly like the old one. Build around your new commute, responsibilities and family needs, then adjust as you learn what works.

Between all the paperwork, unpacking and new routines in unfamiliar places, moving can feel disruptive and stressful.

Keep an eye out for common stress indicators like trouble sleeping, irritability, low energy, difficulty concentrating or feeling disconnected. Make time for things to help you feel centered:

• Set a stopping point for move-related tasks each day.
• Choose one space to make functional before tackling the next task.
• Keep up with one familiar part of your old routine, such as a morning walk or a family meal.
• Plan something that has nothing to do with the move — try a local restaurant or have a low-key family night.
• Share responsibilities with your spouse, family or support network when you can.

You don’t have to work through every part of the transition on your own — and there’s a range of support to help you with whatever you’re going through:

• Talk with a confidential, licensed Military OneSource counselor about stress, relationships, parenting or adjusting after a PCS move.
• Service members and spouses can get peer support to talk with someone who’s been there — to get perspective, helpful tips and encouragement.
• Reach out to a local chaplain for confidential support and guidance through personal, family or spiritual challenges.
• Ask a trusted friend or family member for specific help — such as picking up groceries, watching the kids or handling an errand.