Last year, when we set up this website, I was hoping people would ask questions about PCS moves. No one, however, has any questions. I guess all military wives are already experts on PCS moves!! Right now, however, we are in the midst of (and perhaps winding down) the PCS moving season for 2009. Everyone wants to get settled before school starts for the kids. Has anyone else been affected by the Navy putting some PCS moves on hold until the new fiscal year starts in October? I am glad I am homeschooling, because it looks like we may be moving one month into the school year. Luckily for my kids, they can take their schoolwork in the car and never miss a day! :)

My tip for the day is, if you are getting ready to do a PCS move, make sure all of your Professional Gear is set aside and clearly marked, and make sure you watch the packers packing it. I discovered (the hard way) after our last move that even if a box is marked "Pro-Gear," if the packer does not write "Pro-gear" on that box's line on the inventory sheet, you will be held responsible. After we moved, when I found several Pro-gear boxes that were not marked on the inventory sheet, I thought I could show those boxes to Personal Property and that would take care of it. I was told that it was my responsibility to make sure everything was marked correctly BEFORE we moved, and that since I signed the inventory sheets, I was pretty much stuck. We are still in the process of trying to get our overage charges removed from our move two years ago, because if all of our Pro-gear had been marked correctly, we would not have been over our weight limit. Two lessons learned. One: Purge, purge, PURGE before the next move, so that we will not be close to going over! And two: Have the movers pack all the Pro-gear FIRST next time we move, and make sure everything is marked correctly on the boxes and every line of the inventory sheet before we move on.

Happy Travels!

HAWAII

Planning a PCS move?

Hi!  I'm Debbi, your new Operation:PCS editor.  I'm not an expert, but I'm building up experience through lots of deployments and PCS moves of my own!  Sometimes they go off without a hitch, other times we are frustrated with the damage and lost items.  When I was 8-months-pregnant with my youngest son, we had to move ourselves without the Navy's help. That was fun!  Regardless of the challenges, we can help each other by exchanging tips and helpful information we have learned.  So send me your questions, tips, and helpful hints!  And above all, remember to "store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal."  (Matt 6:20 NIV)  A transient lifestyle gives us a deeper appreciation for those treasures that are eternal, that can't be lost or broken in a PCS move!

PCS SAN DIEGO

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