PCS Tips For A Stress-Free Military Move To Corpus Christi
Here’s How To Make Your Permanent Change of Station (PCS) Simple
If you’re about to begin a Permanent Change of Station (PCS), you’re not alone.
The over one million service members who serve our country worldwide know the feeling. There’s plenty of mixed emotions involved when a military member finds out they must move their family to a new base. Especially if it’s just one of many moves they’ve made as part of the United States Armed Forces.
While those in the military expect a PCS move sooner or later, it can still be a stressful time for themselves and their family. It doesn’t matter if it’s your first PCS move or your sixth, the details and deadlines can be overwhelming.
There will be lots of boxes, packing, and moving trucks. You’ll also have to deal with several questions — Where are you going? What do you need to take? What do you need to get rid of?
Fortunately, proper preparation and planning can make your PCS move a lot easier. With some key steps in the beginning, you can avoid mistakes that can make your move stressful for everyone.
Let’s take a look at tips and strategies that can help you with your relocation to Corpus Christi, TX, or Kingsville, TX. You can make sure your move goes well based on how actively involved you are in the process. Read on for our handy checklist to make your PCS move better.
What is a PCS Move?
A PCS Move is an authorized relocation of a service member, along with their spouse and children. It can be a move from one duty station to another, or between your final duty station and home of record upon retirement or discharge. PCS orders are given when your new base is more than 50 miles away from your current one. So you wouldn’t be given a PCS order if you were transferred from Kingsville to Corpus Christi, but you would if you received a transfer to say Pensacola, FL.
PCS orders are issued to members who are:
- New and being transferred to his/her first assignment site
- Active duty and being transferred from one station to another
- Active duty and being transferred from their final duty station to home due to retirement or discharge
There are many types of PCS orders, each with their own special rules and regulations.
If you have received orders to Corpus Christi, you’re likely headed to the major military installation called Naval Air Station Corpus Christi. The station has been home to naval air training for nearly 80 years. Naval Air Station Corpus Christi also houses the Corpus Christi Army Depot, plus dozens of other organizations.
A 40-minute drive away lies Naval Air Station Kingsville. If you’ve received orders for here, you’re headed to one of the Navy’s renowned air/strike training facilities. Naval Air Station Kingsville trains pilots for both the Navy and Marine corps.
Take a look at the video below, and find out all you can expect for you and your family in the Corpus Christi TX area:
After obtaining your permanent change of station orders, you’ll need to meet with your base’s Travel Management Office (TMO), the military support element that organizes your move. The TMO will manage everything related to relocating your household and yourself.
During the relocation briefing, you can discuss how much your moving allowance will be based on rank and dependent status. You’ll also discuss which moving option is best for your situation.
After that, you can start preparing for your military move!
TIP #1: Start Planning Early
Proper planning can help ensure that your move to the Corpus Christi area will be a positive journey for you and your family. The options you choose for your move will likely be influenced by how much time you have.
Sometimes, you will have plenty of notice before your military relocation. However, there are also situations when you will be given little time to prepare. The usual time frame for service members to receive orders can vary from five months to two weeks prior to their report date to the new command. No matter how many weeks you have, start your preparations as soon as you receive your PCS orders.
Whether it’s two weeks or two months, immediate action from you can lighten the burden of moving. There are also many resources provided by the military to help you keep things moving smoothly.
Here are some suggestions for planning ahead:
Create a few lists. Take note of what needs to be done. Making a tangible list will help you handle your move more efficiently and effectively.
Plan to use all your groceries. Be aware of the food you buy because a lot of food tends to go to waste during a PCS move.
Keep a separate place for things you need during the move. Clothing, toiletries, important documents, and cleaning supplies should have their own designated place so that they won’t accidentally be packed first.
TIP #2: Stay Organized With A PCS Checklist
It is crucial to stay organized from the moment you begin planning your PCS move.
An excellent way to keep track of everything you have to do is to use a PCS checklist.
The checklist is an effective way to get things accomplished. It will make your move less of a chore by breaking down the tasks into weekly to-do lists. It will help you see the beginning, middle and end of what needs to be done. It also ensures that nothing is forgotten.
Click here for a detailed military PCS checklist to help you get started from three months prior to your move to after you arrive at your new destination.
TIP #3: Decide What kind of Move You’re Going to Have
There are three basic options available in a PCS move.
1. Government Contract Move
In this move, your TMO will hire a professional moving company that essentially takes care of everything. With this option, all you have to do is make an inventory of your items, supervise the move, and sign some paperwork. The movers will pack, ship and unpack everything you own.
While this seems like the easiest option, you’ll need to make sure your inventory is thorough, in case your belongings sustain any damage in transit. If you’ve been given very short notice, this may be the option you’ll have to choose.
2. Personally Procured Move (PPM)
The do-it-yourself move (DITY) allows you to pack, ship, and unpack your own stuff - all for which the government pays you 95% of what it would have cost them to hire a commercial mover. Some service members see this type of move as an opportunity to actually make money off of their PCS. The downside, of course, is that you’ll be doing everything yourself. Depending on the complexity of your PCS, this may prove very stressful.
3. Combination Move
This option is also known as partial DITY. You are reimbursed for moving some of your own items while allowing military-hired movers to do the rest. If you’re concerned about your belongings being improperly packed or damaged, this may be the best option. If time allows, you may even have the chance to make your move into a family road trip.
Ultimately, your decision will based on the amount of time you have, your available finances, and how much control you want over your personal belongings while they’re packed.
TIP #4: Sort Through Your Things
A PCS move is a good time to purge.
We tend to accumulate lots of stuff, even if we’ve only lived somewhere for a short time. A move, especially a PCS move where you may have very little notice, is a good time to clear out things you no longer need.
This is important for practical reasons, too. The more you decide to move with you, the more expensive your move will become. You don’t want to pay to move things you haven’t used in years, especially if it will put you over your weight entitlement.
Start by going through one room in your house at a time. It will make it easier to choose what should come with you, and what can be given away or thrown out. In each room, make three piles: what to keep, what to throw away, and what to donate. If time allows, you can try selling some items as well.
TIP #5: Make An Inventory Of Possessions And Valuable Items
While you’re sorting and organizing, make an inventory of everything you’ve chosen to bring with you. You’ll have a complete list of everything you own, and all your valuable items as well. As an added bonus, you can use the inventory as proof of contents when household shipment is made. This is important if anything goes missing or gets damaged.
As well, your insurance and movers usually require an inventory so they can replace lost or damaged goods. While you hope all your belongings make it to your new home in one piece, an inventory will reduce hassle if an accident does happen. It will increase the likelihood of your insurance claim being approved. Make sure you confirm with both your insurance company and your movers to see what needs to be included in your inventory list.
Make the inventory as you’re sorting and organizing your belongings. This will let you stay on top of it no matter how little time you might have. Include a short description of each item, quantity, value, condition, location in the house, and if possible, attach a purchase receipt.
Here are three great ways to do inventory:
Spreadsheet
The inventory spreadsheet is a checklist of the things you own. Use a new row for each item on the list. Then, group the items by general categories such as jewelry and toys.
Camera
Another option is to take a picture of your belongings and label what’s in the photo.
Video
Create a video home inventory of your possessions. Make sure to record close-up shots of your furniture, the condition of your electronics and gadgets, and the actual appearance of your valuable items.
TIP #6: Discuss The Moving Process With Your Children
Children need special attention and time during this major life transition. Your children’s reaction may vary depending on their personality and developmental age.
Here are some suggestions to make the process less stressful for everyone.
Give your children enough time to say goodbye to family and friends they are leaving behind. This means don’t wait to tell your children about your PCS move, especially if it’s in only a matter of weeks. Tell them right away so they have time to say goodbye.
Make sure your children are involved in your move. Let them help with sorting and packing. Your goal is to make sure they feel that they are part of the moving process.
Have a “moving conversation” with your children. Explain the process of how the move will work and where you’re going. Be willing to answer their questions.
Take time to explore your new neighborhood together. Look for fun and exciting things to do in Corpus Christi and Kingsville. Gather photos and information that you think might interest your children.
Always reassure your children. Let them know that family will experience adjusting to the new home and location TOGETHER.
TIP #7: Enlist the help of a Corpus Christi TX real estate agent
The Corpus Christi area is home to two of the oldest military installations in the country, and is located right on the Gulf of Mexico.
If your PCS move has brought you to Corpus Christi or Kingsville, you will need the help of an experienced real estate agent.
This is the perfect time for you to enlist the help of my team. I can bring you nearly two decades of real estate experience. More importantly, I’ve been through exactly what you’re going through. As a military wife, I’ve been through multiple cross-country moves. The stress and all the moving pieces were made much easier with the help of a skilled realtor. Now, I can bring those skills to you.
Watch the video below and find out why you should work with the experienced All-American Home Source Realty team:
Home to the Naval Air Station since 1941, the Corpus Christi area offers a number of housing options for relocated military personnel and their families. Surrounded by the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico, it’s a beautiful place to live. There are comfortable and welcoming homes available in most areas. Most importantly, there is a Corpus Christi neighborhood to fit every budget.
Are you on the hunt for the right military family housing? As a relocation expert, I can help you find the right property that fits your needs, desires, and budget. I truly enjoy helping military families as they move to Corpus Christi. I can assist you with any of your real estate concerns. You can depend on me to handle certain aspects of your PCS move so that you don't have to worry about it.
With my team and I as your real estate agents, you’ll be sure to get ample assistance along the way. You can relax and enjoy the process. Remember that this move represents another step forward in your successful military career.
Whether you are moving to NAS Corpus Christ or NAS Kingsville, let us help make your move easier!
Call me, Elizabeth Straessle at (361) 878-8000 or email me at AmericanHSRealty@gmail.com. As one of the best REALTORS® in Corpus Christi, I can help you find the perfect home for you and your loved ones.