PCS newbie...

[mtaylor]

I know this is probably a dumb question...but here goes. Dh is starting AIT next monday (long story there, he should have started 2 weeks ago). Generally when do they normally give them their orders and let them know where their first duty station is? Will they let him know before he finishes AIT or will they tell him the day he's done? It would be great if he knew by Christmas! LOL, but I know that's hoping for too much.

I am starting to freak out about the move and it won't be happening until the end of Jan beginning of Feb...any advice would be great (as long as it's not relax because I've been getting that right and left already).

Thanks!!

FTR- I am trying to work on getting use to not knowing anything until they are ready to tell us..but it's difficult. I'm new to all of this so it will take me a while because I HATE not knowing. (I'm the type of person the googles everything...I already knew everything the recruiter was telling me because I googled it lol).


OH and what way do you prefer to be moved? Do you do it yourself or do you have the military move you? I have 2 kids, and have moved 5 times in the last 8 years (once with kids) and I HATE moving. So what do you do and why?

[sukhakuli]

I have no idea what AIT is, or how that works, so I can't be much help there. When you get the orders is kind of a crap shoot, you just never know. We have gotten them months before a move, or as little as 2 weeks before. One time when dh was on TAD he got the orders at 7 pm the night before he was supposed to go. You just never know.

For our first PCS dh had orders before he graduated, so we knew when and where we were going. We did a do it yourself move then (DIY), but we didn't have any kids then, so it was easy. We weighed our truck like it said, kept receipts for gas and hotels. Dh filled out the paperwork and we got the money back. No big deal.

Since then we let the military move us. Some people have had major issues, but we haven't had any. They come in and do all the packing - which is a lifesaver when you have kids! - and then come the next day and load up the truck. It takes a while for the stuff to show up, but we just camp out in our new house until then. It's kind of fun. When they show up, they will place the furniture where you want it (but they place it once, so they won't move your couch 10 times until you like it). They will "unpack" for you, but that just means dumping everything out on the floor. So, unpack yourself, but oyu can call them up when you are done and they will come and take your empty boxes. They will deny this, but it is part of the service!

With our next PCS we might do a partial DIY, depending on where we go. Our next move will most likely be from one coast to the other, and I know from experience that it takes 2-4 weeks to get your goods, and sleeping on the floor gets old. But we're not in a position where we can load up our furniture by ourselves, either, so we still need movers.

I hope this helps with some of your questions. Oh, and if you go through the Exchange, you can get your utilities started for a reduced rate. Good luck!

[soozq]

We only got 3 weeks notice to PCS from CA to VA. We are doin a partial dity. (do it yourself) That way whatever we pack in the car and drive there still get paid for and we get the mileage.

We let the govt movers do the heavy stuff and buought an air mattress for the meantime!

I hope you get more notice for your orders and it all goes smoothly!
Good luck!

[mtaylor]

Thanks!
I hope we get some notice. He put in for home town recruting, and for the 10 days they can get to move us. So that will at least be 24 days to get things together...I guess he's supposed to set up the move there while he's in AIT so I would think they would have to tell him before he graduates. At least I hope they do.

Sukhakuli- AIT is advanced individual training for his job.

[okasional.kajun]

My husband started AIT in March and he found out we were moving to Germany sometime in June and graduated July 1. They didn't give him orders though until after he graduated. Where is your husband in AIT at?

[mtaylor]

He is at Fort Sill for AIT
We hoping to find out around Christmas. I'm starting to freak out because I have NO idea what to do. I have a MILLION questions lol. Trying to read old posts so I don't ask the same questions as other people.

[Amberlyn]

I always let the military move me.. especially with kids.. LOL! Its so much easier.. ! When you do move, even if the gov't does it, you still keep your reciepts for gas and hotel, because you get reimbursed for travel.

Once he gets his orders, he can set up the dates for moving. They will come look at your stuff (real quick takes like 10 minutes), then they will come pack one day, and load the next. It depends on were its going, and the drivers schedule as to when you get your things. Stateside has always been pretty quick for us. If you don't have a place right away, they will hold onto it until you get a place. Its pretty painless. This move my stuff was here within a week, it was actually here before I was.. LOL He called, and I was like.. Umm not there yet.. !

[gunsgirl]

Originally Posted by mtaylor He is at Fort Sill for AIT We hoping to find out around Christmas. I'm starting to freak out because I have NO idea what to do. I have a MILLION questions lol. Trying to read old posts so I don't ask the same questions as other people.

the best thing is to ask Direct questions so we know exactly what you need to know.

we always do a Partial PPM ( formerly called DITY) you can get paid for bringing stuff with you in your car(s)

[mtaylor]

Yeah we are going to do that. We have a lot of things they won't move and I'm not willing to fork over the money to restock (food, cleaning supplies...). Plus I want to make sure that we have some clothes and essentials when we get there since it takes a while sometimes to get your stuff.