Permanent Change of Station (PCS) CONUS

Air Force Reserve: Retired

Benefit Fact Sheet

Summary

There are numerous steps in the Permanent Change of Station (PCS) process. Through various agencies the Department of the Air Force provides guidance and counseling to assist Service members and their Families in making the best choices.

To further ease the process of Permanent Change of Station (PCS) moves, the Secretary of Defense has directed the Department to:

Permanently increase standard TLE maximum coverage from 10 to 14 days for CONUS moves and allow up to 60 days of TLE if a Service member is in a specified Military Housing Area with a housing shortage, that went into effect in October 2022.
Increase the Dislocation Allowance (DLA) for E-1 to E-6 Service members, to further help offset personal expenses for PCS moves. DLA payments for all Service members will be paid automatically one month prior to their move date to pre-empt out-of-pocket expenses. This went into effect October 2022.

For more information, please visit: https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3167769/dod-announces-immediate-and-long-term-actions-to-help-strengthen-the-economic-s/

Eligibility

Retired Air Force Reserve Service members may be eligible for a government funded PCS move. If the Service members last assignment was on AGR status.

Benefit Highlights

Permissive TDY - For separation or retirement relocation activities such as job search or residence search and is eligible under DAFI 36-3009, Military and Family Readiness Centers. Losing commander may approve up to 20 days for CONUS based members unless to do so would interfere with the military mission. A member can request excess leave in lieu of PTDY, but not both. Submit an DAF 988 to request PTDY.

Moving Services and Transportation - Moving services cannot be arranged using the Defense Personal Property System (DPS). They must be arranged in person at your local Traffic Management Office (TMO). MilitaryOnesource is also available to help service members, their families, and anyone moving with the military to get organized for your move.

Provide the following at time of counseling:

Complete set of orders/authorization including amendments/for each type of shipment planned (e.g., Household Goods (HHG), Non-Temporary Storage (NTS), Unaccompanied Baggage (UB))
An idea of when you want to move and an estimated weight. Be as flexible as possible when selecting HHG pack and pickup dates. Your preferred dates may not be available during some periods such as summer or days near official holidays. Avoid scheduling lease termination or house sale closing on the same date your HHG are to be packed, picked up, or delivered. Leave some time in your schedule for the unforeseen. You or your designated representative must be available between the hours of 8:00 am and 5:00 pm local time on pack, pickup, and delivery dates.
The date you plan to arrive at your new location. Your arrival date assists your Transportation Service Provider (TSP) and/or local TMO with scheduling delivery of your shipment(s), which may reduce storage costs paid by the Government.
What type of shipment you want to make (HHG, UB and or NTS) and the estimated weight. Do not forget to declare Professional Books, Papers, and Equipment / Professional Gear (PBP&E/Pro-Gear)
Information on excess cost. The minimum excess cost is approximately $100.00 per hundred pounds over the maximum weight allowance.
A list of large or unusual items (e.g., large screen TV [i.e., plasma, LCD, DLP], piano, pool table, china cabinet, wall unit, satellite dish, hot tub, boat, motorcycle, recreational vehicle)
A letter of authorization signed by you or a Power of Attorney; required if you are unable to visit the TO. You may appoint your spouse or an agent to act on your behalf. Be sure the person you choose knows what you want and has the information to make the right arrangements. Remember, this person is acting for you, and you are responsible for that person’s decisions.

Personally Procured Move (PPM), formerly called Do It Yourself (DITY)

items staged to be moved The PPM program is an alternate means of moving your personal property. You must make the arrangements at origin just as you would for a Government arranged move and complete certain other requirements to include obtaining weight tickets.

The PPM program allows you to personally move HHG and either be reimbursed up to the Government’s cost or to collect an incentive payment from the Government.

The TMO must provide counseling and prior approval for a PPM move. Failing to comply with Service requirements of the program may limit payment or result in complete denial of your claim.

Weight estimator

U.S. Transcom provides an “It’s Your Move” Guide to assist Service members in understanding allowances and responsibilities during the packing, shipping and storage of household goods.

Short Distance Moves

If you were living on base and your housing agreement requires you to move out of government quarters before you can determine your home of selection, you are authorized a short distance HHG move from the government quarters to a local temporary residence in the vicinity of the vacated quarters. The usual rank-based weight limits do not apply to this "local move" out of government quarters. This local move does not count as your retirement move, but you will need a memo from the garrison housing office providing the funding citation to be used for the move. If you have any questions, your local personal property office can help you figure out the right steps.

Weight Allowance
Moving allowance is based on the Service members rank and dependency status at the time of retirement. Overages are the Service members financial responsibility. For up to date information regarding household goods weight allowance see the DoD Joint Travel Regulations

To estimate weight of your personal belongings use a weight estimator calculator.

Professional Books, Papers, and Equipment / Professional Gear (PBP&E) Allowance

PBP&E allowances limit PBP&E/Pro-Gear to 2,000 pounds net weight and no longer include personal computers and accompanying equipment, and/or awards presented for significant contributions while performing official duties.

PBP&E/Pro-Gear is defined as:

HHG in a member’s possession needed for the performance of official duties at the next or a later destination
If you have PBP&E/Pro-Gear to declare, you must do so
If your estimated and declared PBP&E/Pro-Gear weighs 1,000 pounds or less, there will be no additional approval or review of your declared Pro-Gear and it may be included and packed with the rest of your HHG
If your estimated and declared PBP&E/Pro-Gear weighs more than 1,000 pounds, your Service may review your declaration and items at their discretion outside of or DPS
When PBP&E/Pro-Gear is properly declared in or DPS, the weight of PBP&E/Pro-Gear does not count against the total weight of your shipment(s). Before signing your inventory prepared by the TSP(s), be sure these items are declared as “PBP&E/Pro-Gear”. The proper designation of these items and the exclusion of the weight can be very important.
The following items are considered PBP&E/Pro-Gear:
- Reference material not ordinarily available at the next Permanent Duty Station (PDS)
- Instruments, tools, and equipment peculiar to technicians, mechanics, and members of the professions
- Specialized clothing such as diving suits, astronaut’s suits, flying suits and helmets, band uniforms, chaplain’s vestments, and other specialized apparel not normal or usual uniform or clothing
- Communications equipment used by a member in association with the Military Affiliated Radio System
- Individually owned or specially issued field clothing and equipment
- Government- or uniformed service-owned accountable organizational clothing and individual clothing property issued to the employee or member by the Service/DoD component for official use.

Excluded from PBP&E/Pro-Gear are:

Commercial products for sale/resale used in conducting business
Sports equipment
Office furniture
Household furniture
Shop fixtures
Furniture of any kind even though used in connection with PBP&E/Pro-Gear (e.g., bookcases, study/computer desks, file cabinets, and racks)
Personal computer equipment and peripheral devices
Memorabilia, including awards, plaques, or other objects presented for past performance (includes any type of going-away gifts, office decorations, pictures, etc.)
Table service, including flatware (including serving pieces), dishes (including serving pieces, salvers, and their heating units), other utensils, and glassware
Other items of a professional nature that are not necessary at the next/subsequent PDS, such as textbooks from previous schools unrelated to future duties; personal books, even if used as part of a past professional reading program or course of instruction; and reference material that ordinarily would be available at the next/subsequent PDS either in hard copy or available on the Internet.

Storage

Unlike some PCS moves, you are only allowed ONE of the following options:

Long term storage at origin (the location where you were last stationed) for up to 180 days for separating members, and one year for retirees. If you have not scheduled your final delivery before your entitlement expires, you will be personally responsible for any additional storage costs.

Short term storage at your destination up to 90 days. This applies to separating and retiring Service members. If your household goods are not delivered before the 90 days expires, you will be responsible for excess storage costs. You may also lose the ability to file any loss or damage claims with your branch of Service's Military Claims Office.

What to expect from your Transportation Service Provider (TSP)

TSP’s Responsibilities (at Origin):

Conduct Pre-Move Survey (physical or telephonic) depending on the type of shipment and estimated weight. It should be conducted prior to the first day of packing
Begin packing/pickup between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm
Protect appliances against damage while in transit. The TSP secures moving parts that, if allowed to move in transit, could damage the appliance
Use new, clean packing materials for linen, clothing, and bedding
Use new or like-new packing materials for all other items. Excelsior or newspaper is not allowed. Items packed in boxes should be padded and insulated from carton walls
Pack mirrors, pictures, and glass tabletops in specially designed cartons
Wrap and protect all finished surfaces from marring or scratching; use furniture pads
Properly roll and protect rug and rug pads at residence. Only small throw rugs may be folded
Pack all designated PBP&E/Pro-Gear in separate boxes. These cartons must be marked “PBP&E/Pro Gear”, weighed separately, and listed on the inventory form
Put all nuts, bolts, and screws from a disassembled item in a bag and attach securely to the item
Mark each carton to show general contents
Prepare an accurate and legible inventory
Obtain approval from the TMO prior to loading on the tailgate of the moving van
Remove all excess packing material from your residence.

TSP’s Responsibilities (at Destination):

Begin delivery between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm
Perform a one-time placement of rugs prior to placement of your HHG
Unpack and unwrap all cartons, boxes, and crates
Place each item or carton in the room you indicate. This one-time placement includes placing unpacked articles in cabinets, cupboards, or on kitchen shelves when convenient, safe, and it is your desired location. Have placement planned out before the TSP arrives. TSPs are required to place each item only once.
Assemble all furniture and equipment if disassembled at origin
Remove packing and blocking from appliances. The TSP is not required to connect appliances to electric, gas, or water outlets
Provide a “Joint” written record of any loss and or damage at delivery on DD Form 1842 or on the “Defense Personal Property Program Notification of Loss or Damage AT Delivery” Form. You and or your designated representative along with the delivery TSP sign this form. The TSP’s representative must provide a copy of this form.
TSPs are not required to go into an attic, crawl space, or similar storage area for the purpose of delivering and placing personal property
Once the shipment has been delivered, the TSP is not required to deliver property to a self-storage facility.

NOTE: It is not advisable to waive unpacking at any time during the delivery. However, if unpacking is waived, the TSP is not required to return later to unpack or remove debris

Claims - Unfortunately, you may suffer loss or damage to your personal property during movement. If your property is lost or damaged, you have the right to file a claim directly with the TSP.

First you must give written notice to the TSP that you intend to file a claim you can do this ether at delivery or afterwards.

At delivery- Review and sign the Notification for Loss and Damage at Delivery Form given to you by the delivery crew.
After delivery- Using the Defense Personal Property System (DPS) submit the Notification of Loss and Damage After Delivery. The form can be found under "Start My Loss & Damage Report".

Next, within nine months from the delivery date you must file a claim with DPS. Log on to DPS and click on "Start my Loss and Damage Report". Have as much information as possible regarding each item listed in your claim to include: manufacturer, inventory item number, cost at purchase and year of purchase. Also include a description of the damage and repair or replacement estimate. Once your claim is submitted the TSP must confirm receipt of your claim within 15 calendar days. The TSP is responsible for assessing the value of your property and may inspect the damaged property, repair items, or pick up any items damaged beyond repair.

If a claim is filed directly with the TSP within nine months of delivery, then the TSP’s maximum liability on each domestic HHG is:

$7,500 per shipment or
$6.00 times the net weight of the HHG shipment, or gross weight of the UB shipment, in pounds, not to exceed $75,000, whichever is greater.

For direct claims settlement between member and TSP:

Claims must be filed through DPS
Claims must be filed with the TSP first to maintain Full Replacement Value (FRV) protection eligible.

A member has the option to transfer the claim to the military claims service after 30 days. In these instances, the military claims office pays the member depreciated value and then pursues the FRV claim with the TSP. After settlement with the TSP, if the FRV settlement exceeds the amount paid by the military claims service to the member, the member receives the difference.

Accepting a Claim Offer

The TSP will provide you with an itemized listing of their offer for each item. You can accept or make a counter offer for each item listed. You may be offered a cash payment or having an item replaced in lieu of cash. You will submit your final offer acceptances into DPS to complete the process.

Inconvenience Claims

An Inconvenience Claim is paid by the TSP when they fail to meet the required pickup and delivery dates for your PCS. You must meet the following conditions you may be eligible for an Inconvenience claim.

The TSP fails to pick up a shipment upon the agreed date

The TSP fails to deliver on or before the required delivery date, provided you are in possession of residence and are available to receive the delivery
The TSP places your shipment into storage in transit, or SIT, without you being notified
You have requested your shipment be released from SIT and the carrier is unable to deliver the shipment within the following dates:
- Seven government business days from the date you first make requested delivery
- Within two government business days, when your requested delivery date is more than seven business days out.

TSP should notify you within a few days of the delivery date if there is an expected delay with your shipment. Download the DP3 Shipment Inconvenience Claim Form and contact your Transportation Office is you believe you are owed an Inconvenience claim.

For household good shipments picked up after May 15, 2020 instead of submitting receipts for the first seven days of meals you have the option to receive 100% reimbursement of the local per diem for meals and incidental expenses. If your expenses were more than per diem, you can choose to submit receipts and be reimbursed 100% of your out of pocket costs.

Monetary Allowances and Subsidies

Travel Advances: Retirees can receive 80% of travel entitlement amount. Submit your requests at the Defense Military Pay Office (DMPO).

Travel Voucher
For a detailed guide on how to complete the DD 1351-2 click here.

SmartVoucher can be used to make filling in your DD Form 1351-2 easier. Sending in vouchers that are legible, correct and include all the necessary information and documents is the first step in getting your travel claim paid promptly. After you have sent your voucher, check your claim status online at: https://www.dfas.mil/militarymembers/travelpay/checkvoucherstatus/.

Documents to include when claiming entitlements:

DD Form 1351-2 voucher
Complete set of orders and all amendments
Receipts showing the following
- Company name
- Date item/service was provided
- Cost of item/service
- Taxes shown as a separate item on receipt
- Proof of payment (marked “paid” or amount due $0.00)

Travel Settlement - Retirees have 1 year after retirement or 4 yearly written extension requests to transportation settlement.

Mail your Settlement Travel/PPM Vouchers for Separations and Retirements Travel Vouchers (DD Form 1351-2) to:

DFAS-ROME Attn: Travel Operations
325 Brooks Road
Rome, NY 13441
Fax: 317-275-0277

Personally Procured Move (PPM) claims must be sent to the last Transportation Office for processing. The Transportation Office will submit the package to DFAS Rome for payment. Be sure to include all required documentation; DD1351-2, DD2278, a copy of orders, weight tickets and all receipts.

Privately-Owned Vehicles: When you separate or retire from military service, you drive or ship your vehicle(s) at your own expense, just like with many CONUS PCS moves. There are no mileage, per diem, or "inability to drive" allowances.

Additional Information

Department of the Air Force Instructions 36-3003, Military Leave Program
https://static.e-publishing.af.mil/production/1/af_a1/publication/dafi36-3003/dafi36-3003.pdf

Department of the Air Force Manual 36-2102, Base-Level Relocation Procedures
https://static.e-publishing.af.mil/production/1/af_a1/publication/dafman36-2102/dafman36-2102.pdf

Air Force Personnel Center
https://www.afpc.af.mil/Assignment/

Joint Travel Regulations (JTR)
https://www.travel.dod.mil/Policy-Regulations/Joint-Travel-Regulations/

DFAS-Travel Pay
https://www.dfas.mil/militarymembers/travelpay/checklists/

DFAS- Claim Status
https://www.dfas.mil/militarymembers/travelpay/information/

Weight Allowance Calculator
https://www.ustranscom.mil/dp3/weightestimator.cfm
https://www.militaryonesource.mil/benefits/pcs-entitlements/

Monetary Allowance in Lieu of Transportation (MALT)
https://www.dfas.mil/MilitaryMembers/travelpay/armypcs/malt/

“It’s Your Move” Armed Forces Members Guide
https://www.ustranscom.mil/dtr/part-iv/dtr_part_iv_app_k_1.pdf

Military One Source
https://www.militaryonesource.mil/moving-pcs/

Exceptional Family Member Program
https://www.afpc.af.mil/Exceptional-Family-Member-Program/