When should I start planning a PCS move?

Six months (180 days) before your report date. The earliest tasks — housing intent, EFMP screening, spouse license reciprocity research, and a PCS savings cushion — all have lead times measured in months, and waiting for hard-copy orders to start them is the most common cause of a rushed move.

Can I schedule my household goods move before I have orders?

You can research and plan, but the Personal Property Office needs your official orders to book the shipment. That is why tracking and requesting orders sits at the 120-day mark — it unblocks the 90-day HHG scheduling task.

How long do I have to file a damage claim after delivery?

75 days from the delivery date to file loss or damage claims in DPS (Defense Personal Property System). The delivery date starts the clock, not the date you finish unpacking — inspect and photograph as items come off the truck.

Does breaking my lease for a PCS cost me early-termination fees?

No. Under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA), written notice with a copy of your PCS orders protects you from early lease-termination penalties. Give notice around the 90-day mark once orders are in hand.

PCS Timeline Checklist

An interactive relocation roadmap. Enter your estimated PCS date to plot milestones, customize tasks, and sync events to your calendar.

180 Days Out (6 Months)

Scheduled ~Mar 12, 2026

Declare Housing Intenthousing

Decide whether you want to apply for on-post housing, rent off-post, or purchase a home at your new station. Start tracking local market trends.

Google Cal| Outlook

Establish PCS Savings & Budgetfinance

Calculate expected out-of-pocket expenses (deposit, travel, pet transport) and set up a dedicated PCS savings cushion.

Google Cal| Outlook

120 Days Out (4 Months)

Scheduled ~May 11, 2026

Track & Request Official Ordersgeneral

Follow up with your admin office to secure your official PCS orders. You will need them to schedule your household goods shipment.

Google Cal| Outlook

Review Pet Travel & Quarantine Rulesgeneral

Check vaccination requirements, microchips, and health certificate timelines. If moving OCONUS (e.g. Hawaii), start the quarantine process immediately.

Google Cal| Outlook

90 Days Out (3 Months)

Scheduled ~Jun 10, 2026

Schedule Household Goods (HHG) Movegeneral

Moves are arranged through your installation's Personal Property Office, under the DoD Personal Property Activity — the HomeSafe/GHC transition was terminated in May 2026. Book your dates and file claims in DPS (Defense Personal Property System). Decide between a Government-Procured Move or a Personally Procured Move (PPM / DITY).

Google Cal| Outlook

Notify Current Landlord (SCRA)housing

Provide written notice of your intent to terminate your lease. Under the SCRA, you are protected from early termination fees with a copy of your orders.

Google Cal| Outlook

60 Days Out (2 Months)

Scheduled ~Jul 10, 2026

Apply for Housing / Contact Real Estate Agentshousing

Submit your application for on-post housing waitlists, or connect with a VA Loan specialist realtor to start house hunting off-post.

Google Cal| Outlook

Schedule Vehicle Transport or Roadtrip Prepgeneral

If shipping a vehicle, book transport dates. If driving, schedule major maintenance (oil, tires, brakes) for a safe road trip.

Google Cal| Outlook

30 Days Out (1 Month)

Scheduled ~Aug 9, 2026

Schedule Utilities Disconnect & Connecthousing

Arrange disconnect dates for your current electric, gas, water, and internet services, and schedule hookups at your destination.

Google Cal| Outlook

Assemble Master PCS Bindergeneral

Put together a physical binder containing official orders, birth certificates, dental/medical records, vehicle titles, and pet records. Do NOT pack this in the HHG truck.

Google Cal| Outlook

15 Days Out & Moving Week

Scheduled ~Aug 24, 2026

Separate First-Day Packing Essentialsgeneral

Pack suitcases with immediate uniforms, clothing, laptops, sheets, toilet paper, and basic tools. Label these clearly 'DO NOT PACK' for the movers.

Google Cal| Outlook

Complete Landlord Move-Out Inspectionhousing

Conduct the final walkthrough with your landlord. Document any pre-existing conditions and finalize security deposit return details.

Google Cal| Outlook

Moving Day & Commands

Scheduled ~Sep 8, 2026

Report / Check-In to New Commandgeneral

Report to your new unit in the correct uniform with your stamped orders. Complete your travel claim (DD Form 1351-2) within 5 days of arrival.

Google Cal| Outlook

After Delivery

Scheduled ~Sep 15, 2026

File Any Damage Claims in DPSgeneral

Inspect everything as it comes off the truck and file loss or damage claims in DPS within 75 days of delivery. Photograph damage before you unpack further, and keep the inventory sheets — the delivery date, not your report date, starts the clock.

Google Cal| Outlook

Relocation Progress

0 / 14 Tasks0%

Checklist Settings

Estimated PCS DateShifts milestone calendar dates to align with your report day.

Filter Milestones

Relocating with Spouse

Relocating with Children

Pro Planning Suite

The full PCS timeline, phase by phase

Every task in the planner above, laid out in order. The planner personalizes this list to your report date and family situation and exports it to your calendar; this reference shows the complete picture at a glance. Money-side planning lives in the PCS cost estimator and the DITY profit calculator.

180 days out

Declare Housing Intent: Decide whether you want to apply for on-post housing, rent off-post, or purchase a home at your new station. Start tracking local market trends.
Verify EFMP Enrollment & RecordsWith dependents: If enrolled in the Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP), initiate the family member travel screening early to prevent assignment delays.
Research Spouse Licensure ReciprocityIf married: Identify if your spouse's state license (nursing, teaching, real estate, etc.) participates in interstate compacts, or check expedited application rules for your destination state.
Establish PCS Savings & Budget: Calculate expected out-of-pocket expenses (deposit, travel, pet transport) and set up a dedicated PCS savings cushion.

120 days out

Track & Request Official Orders: Follow up with your admin office to secure your official PCS orders. You will need them to schedule your household goods shipment.
Research School Districts & EnrollmentWith dependents: Look up school ratings, boundaries, and transition requirements for your kids. Review MIC3 compact rules for transfer credits.
Review Pet Travel & Quarantine Rules: Check vaccination requirements, microchips, and health certificate timelines. If moving OCONUS (e.g. Hawaii), start the quarantine process immediately.

90 days out

Schedule Household Goods (HHG) Move: Moves are arranged through your installation's Personal Property Office, under the DoD Personal Property Activity — the HomeSafe/GHC transition was terminated in May 2026. Book your dates and file claims in DPS (Defense Personal Property System). Decide between a Government-Procured Move or a Personally Procured Move (PPM / DITY).
Notify Current Landlord (SCRA): Provide written notice of your intent to terminate your lease. Under the SCRA, you are protected from early termination fees with a copy of your orders.
Contact Spouse Employment NetworksIf married: Connect with military spouse career organizations (VirtForce, Spouse Education & Career Opportunities) and search remote-friendly job openings.

60 days out

Apply for Housing / Contact Real Estate Agents: Submit your application for on-post housing waitlists, or connect with a VA Loan specialist realtor to start house hunting off-post.
Request Official School TranscriptsWith dependents: Contact your children's current schools to request official transcripts, immunization records, and report cards for the enrollment package.
Schedule Vehicle Transport or Roadtrip Prep: If shipping a vehicle, book transport dates. If driving, schedule major maintenance (oil, tires, brakes) for a safe road trip.

30 days out

Schedule Utilities Disconnect & Connect: Arrange disconnect dates for your current electric, gas, water, and internet services, and schedule hookups at your destination.
Submit Spouse License Transfer RequestIf married: File licensure reciprocity applications or temporary credentials with the new state board. Request PCS fee waivers if applicable.
Assemble Master PCS Binder: Put together a physical binder containing official orders, birth certificates, dental/medical records, vehicle titles, and pet records. Do NOT pack this in the HHG truck.

15 days out

Separate First-Day Packing Essentials: Pack suitcases with immediate uniforms, clothing, laptops, sheets, toilet paper, and basic tools. Label these clearly 'DO NOT PACK' for the movers.
Complete Landlord Move-Out Inspection: Conduct the final walkthrough with your landlord. Document any pre-existing conditions and finalize security deposit return details.

Report day

Report / Check-In to New Command: Report to your new unit in the correct uniform with your stamped orders. Complete your travel claim (DD Form 1351-2) within 5 days of arrival.

After delivery

File Any Damage Claims in DPS: Inspect everything as it comes off the truck and file loss or damage claims in DPS within 75 days of delivery. Photograph damage before you unpack further, and keep the inventory sheets — the delivery date, not your report date, starts the clock.

Common questions

When should I start planning a PCS move?: Six months (180 days) before your report date. The earliest tasks — housing intent, EFMP screening, spouse license reciprocity research, and a PCS savings cushion — all have lead times measured in months, and waiting for hard-copy orders to start them is the most common cause of a rushed move.
Can I schedule my household goods move before I have orders?: You can research and plan, but the Personal Property Office needs your official orders to book the shipment. That is why tracking and requesting orders sits at the 120-day mark — it unblocks the 90-day HHG scheduling task.
How long do I have to file a damage claim after delivery?: 75 days from the delivery date to file loss or damage claims in DPS (Defense Personal Property System). The delivery date starts the clock, not the date you finish unpacking — inspect and photograph as items come off the truck.
Does breaking my lease for a PCS cost me early-termination fees?: No. Under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA), written notice with a copy of your PCS orders protects you from early lease-termination penalties. Give notice around the 90-day mark once orders are in hand.