How PCS Moves Impact Families

Transitions Are Hard - But Does Moving Have to Be?

On November 15th I held a Military Dinner Table Conversation with guest Megan Harless of PCS Like a Pro. The Conversation focused on military Permanent Change of Station (PCS) moves, and brought military families and industry professionals together to discuss the impact PCS moves on the lived experiences of families. The event covered a spectrum of topics, including an overall lack of predictability, high out-of-pocket costs and concerns about the upcoming transition to the Global Household Goods Contract (GHC).

Keep reading to watch the PCS Moves Military Dinner Table Conversation

Here's a closer look at the main themes that emerged from our Conversation:

1. Unpredictability & Lack of Choice

“He's on his fifth TDY since we got him home in September,” said participant Heather Cambell. “We were starting school from TLF [temporary lodging facility] and he was TDY and we weren't even in-process. I couldn't even go to the clinic when my daughter perforated eardrum because we didn't exist yet,” Heather recalled. “These are the things that make moves difficult. These are the breaking points for families like mine, and I know all of the resources and I still have had a very, very difficult season.”

Heather’s experience was echoed by other participants who shared their ups and downs with military moving. While some had positive moving experiences, receiving orders on time and having smooth moves, others just worried if this move would be the one from hell, highlighting an unpredictability in the process and a sense of uncertainty. 

Participants shared their experiences with last-minute orders and the relationship orders have with Personal Procured Moves (PPM). While some preferred the flexibility of PPM moves the sentiment was focused on receiving orders with enough time to make an informed choice. One participant shared that they did not feel they had a choice and had to do a DITY (PPM) move, which ultimately put a strain on their family. A participant remarked, "We're getting folks that are realizing I did really want to do this [PPM] all the time. And then other folks realize that's a lot of work. I don't want to do that ever again."

2. Moving Companies & Concerns About the Global Household Goods Contract (GHC):

Photo by Michal B on Unsplash

Moving company experiences varied. One participant recounted a situation where a moving company repeatedly failed to show up multiple days in a row, sparking a conversation about the importance of reliable moving services and their impact on military families' lives and employment stability. Others shared possible solutions for this situation, but ultimately it highlighted the fact that families often do not know where to go to find remedy when faced with a difficulty during the PCS process.

Participants expressed concerns about potential changes in the upcoming transition to a Global Household Goods Contract (GHC), a single contract, which was awarded to HomeSafe Alliance. Half of the Military Dinner Table Conversation participants were aware of this transition. Those who were aware of this contract recalled the overall negative experience they had observed with the privatized military housing. Conversation guest Megan Harless answered questions about the GHC and clarified that this contract has built-in more military-family friendly policies, including a 3-year limitation on the contract award. 

Overall, the group’s apprehension with GHC centered around the possible lack of availability of movers and a potential increased reliance upon mandatory Personal Procured Moves.

3. Out-of-Pocket Costs:

The Conversation began to pick up speed when we started talking about finances. Megan Harless highlighted the flexibility of PPMs in managing out-of-pocket costs. Participants shared their experiences of having to pay out-of-pocket move costs, shedding additional light on the unpredictable financial challenges military families may face during PCS moves. Some families who have PCSed Outside the Continental United States (OCONUS) raised concerns about the out-of-pocket costs associated with moving abroad, which could include paying to store a car in the U.S. and buying a new car OCONUS. Some shared that they struggled with covering these expenses, while not earning two incomes and losing Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) in some OCONUS locations. Participants discussed how the absence of COLA might not adequately account for the additional challenges and costs associated with moving back to the U.S. from OCONUS assignments.

Although there have been increases in PCS reimbursements as a result of the COVID pandemic and subsequent strain on housing, participants highlighted the lack of predictability when it comes to moving expenses and the fact that they are almost predictable in their unpredictability.

A participant named Kelly shared that her move was disrupted by Taylor Swift’s Eras tour. “They closed the base hotel [in Los Angeles], so there is no TLF of any kind,” she said. “Taylor Swift and all the Swifties were in town and all hotels were like we're not doing military rates. It's gonna be like for $300 a night for anywhere nearby.”

This session of Military Dinner Table Conversations underscored the importance of informed decision-making and self-advocacy which are required to minimize disruptions caused by the PCS process. Participants emphasized the need for clearer information, transparent policies and accessible resources to facilitate smoother transitions for military families. 

"[Megan’s] really done a great job of making sure that thousands of families know and if there's a new crop every year, guys, like every year we've got new soldiers that come in.” Participants acknowledged the valuable resources provided by platforms like Megan's PCS Like a Pro site but also emphasized that some of the valuable information provided by private industry and nonprofits like hers should be available from official channels as well.

PCSing Resources

DoD PCS Resources: https://www.militaryonesource.mil/moving-pcs/plan-to-move/pcs-and-military-moves/

PCS Like a Pro: https://www.pcslikeapro.org/

TRANSCOM: https://www.ustranscom.mil/cmd/aboutustc.cfm

Update on GHC: https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-military/2023/01/04/roadblocks-cleared-for-62-billion-reform-of-household-goods-moves/

PPM info: https://www.militaryonesource.mil/moving-pcs/plan-to-move/military-pcs-moving-faqs/#globalhousehold

Topics Families Want to Discuss in the future:

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• Lack of Accessibility to Mental Health Care/Telehealth OCONUS:

  • Exploring challenges and solutions related to the accessibility of mental health care services outside the continental United States.

• Effects of Service Member Mental Health on Spouses:

  • Examining the impact of service member mental health conditions on spouses, especially in the post-deployment phase.

• Cost of Living:

  • Delving into the financial challenges associated with the cost of living, with a focus on military families.

• Child Care:

  • Addressing the complexities of child care arrangements and services available to military families.

• Military Spouse Underemployment and Unemployment:

  • Discussing the difficulties military spouses face in finding suitable employment or dealing with underemployment and unemployment issues. Examining the challenges military spouses encounter in securing government jobs and navigating the employment process.

• EFMP (Exceptional Family Member Program):

  • Exploring the challenges and support systems related to the Exceptional Family Member Program, which assists military families with special needs.

• MIC3 (Military Interstate Children's Compact Commission):

  • Discussing the implications and experiences of military families navigating educational challenges under the Military Interstate Children's Compact Commission.

• Tricare:

  • Discussing the intricacies of Tricare and its impact on military families, potentially focusing on healthcare access and coverage.

• Military Marriages:

  • Exploring strategies and experiences related to maintaining a healthy marriage within the unique challenges of military life.

• Finances:

  • Discussing financial aspects, including the lack of Social Security and disability benefits for non-working military spouses.

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