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How to PCS Without Your Service Member

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PCSing is stressful whatever the circumstances, but having to do it without your service member by your side can make the stress that comes with moving even worse. However, spouses move by themselves all the time. For whatever reason the service member just can’t be there to help with the move.

When my husband joined the Army he was sent to Germany and my son and I had to wait in the U.S. until all the paperwork was taken care of. I know that sometimes they send everyone over together but that just wasn’t the case for us. We waited 4.5 months to join him.

A very long 4.5 months in which I had to get all the paperwork we needed submitted, schedule the move, clean out the apartment, get the car ready to ship, drive the car to the shipping location and fly alone to Europe with my son.

That move was one of the most stressful moments in our military history. I was also brand new to military life which complicated the whole process. I wasn’t sure what to expect and I didn’t quite understand how the military worked. I made some mistakes but looking back I think information like this would have really helped me.

How to PCS Without Your Service Member

What tips do you have for tackling a solo PCS?

Here’s a short guide to PCSing alone.

  • Make lists. Create a PCS binder to keep everything together. Find out what you need to do and when you need to have it done by. Put everything on a calender. Then, make everything you have to do that day for the PCS a priority. Keeping organized will go a long way in getting you through it.
  • Make sure your Power of Attorney is up to date and won’t expire during the PCS. The worst thing would be to have the POA expire during the process when your husband is on the other side of the country or even the world. You want to be able to do anything you might have to do and you will need a POA to get that paperwork done.
  • Ask for help. Can one of your parents, siblings or best friends come out and help you? I am not sure what I would have done without my parents coming out to help me during the moving process. They watched my toddler while the movers came. My mom helped me drive up to St. Louis to drop off the car. Not everyone will have this option but if you think someone might be able to help you in this way, ask for it.

  • Talk the PCS over. Make sure you and your service member is on the same page. If one of you is going to be picking out your new home, make sure you are clear on what you are expecting. Make sure you both know what your expectations are. Talk the process over when it starts to feel a little too stressful. Remember that others have done this before and you can too.

Whether you are PCSing to the next state over or going overseas, there is going to be a lot to do. By staying ahead of the game, keeping organized and talking with your spouse about what needs to be done, you will make the process a little easier.

Have you moved without your service member? What tips do you have for tackling a solo PCS?

5 Important Things You Can Do to Save Your Military Marriage

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Military spouses, almost immediately after saying “I do,” realize that being married to a service member brings its own unique challenges. Aside from unexpected moves, forced separation and countless other military-related things, we also know a marriage in itself can create difficult challenges.

Last month, I shared with you 5 Things That Can Destroy a Military Marriage. It was a list identifying specific actions that cause problems in our relationships, particularly those married to service members.

Again, I turned to my parents for inspiration on the things we can do to help us nurture and ultimately save a military marriage. Here’s what I learned.

5 Important Things You Can Do to Save Your Military Marriage

Don’t take your cohabiting time for granted! Dedicate quality time for the two of you.

In a military marriage, it’s important to:

1. Communicate with each other. I think it’s one of the biggest things you should do. How many of us like to complain? I’m totally guilty of it and it’s totally natural to get annoyed and shut down. But when we shut down and stay silent, we stop communicating with our service member. That’s not good in a military marriage.

Most of the things that can destroy your marriage can be resolved by communicating and listening.

If you approach every conversation with an open heart and mind, communicating with your spouse can help clear a lot of conflict. Remember to be understanding and use this dialogue between to find a compromise. Because of how important it is to listen to each other, speak taking turns, so you don’t overpower each other.

Also, don’t let distance stop you. Even if your spouse is away, use the form of communication that is available. The Internet was how my husband and I spoke to each other while he was overseas and it helped us work through our issues.

2. Compliment your partner. In addition to openly communicating, it’s just as important to compliment each other in the things that we do love about each other. Compliment on things that are done for you and also on “just because” things.

I’m a sucker for my husband’s smile and if you know him, you know that his smile doesn’t appear that often (he’s quite a serious dude). So, at the moments I see that smile from ear to ear, I tell him how much I love seeing it. As a result, I actually see that smile a lot more– must be a subliminal thing!

Don’t let it stop at physical compliments. Take it to an emotional level too. It’s said that complimenting increases self-confidence and self-worth, so it’s a great way to strengthen your bond.

3. Date each other. We all know that separation is difficult. It can even create distance when you and your spouse are back together because we get used to our solo routine. Don’t take your cohabiting time for granted! Dedicate quality time for the two of you. Whether you and your spouse agree to try a brand-new activity or do something that is near and dear to both of you, it’s really important to keep the romance alive.

4. Allow for space. It is a little weird to say that being alone is important after encouraging you to communicate and date, but maintaining your own personal space gives you and your partner the necessary downtime needed to recharge and get your mind back on track. Alone time allows me to reflect on my relationships. As a result, my marriage is stronger because of the balance I have with myself and my husband.

5. Embrace each other and military life. First, physical contact can remind us of the love we have for our spouse. There is something special about the warmth of a hug or the touch of a hand. For me, it’s soothing. The mere thought of hugging my husband makes me feel happy.

Second, you must choose to embrace your marriage and the military. Let’s be honest, some disputes might actually stem from an extenuating military circumstance. I can’t tell you how many times that I’ve been downright upset or confused (sometimes I mix the two) because of a military-related decision. You both can blame each other for what the military throws your way. Instead, embrace the lifestyle together.

What’s the best piece of marriage advice you’ve ever received?

Books to Read to Your Military Child

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As a mother of military children, I know they have to go through situations that other children don’t. One of the best ways to help them is through books. Reading about other children going through what they go through while having a parent in the military is very helpful. We have always had books like this around our house to look at before and after deployments.

Books to Read to Your Military Child

What is your military child’s favorite military book?

Some books talk about deployment. Others deal with moving, starting a new school and finding friends in a new neighborhood.

You can also find books on other stressful situations that your kids might have to go through such as making new friends, bullying or working through family issues associated with life as a military family.

Books to Read to Your Military Child

Do you read books about moving before starting a PCS?

Here is a list of books to read your military child, broken down by age group:

Preschoolers

Young children need picture books to help get the point across. They are easy to read and help the child learn more about military life through short stories.

  • H is for Honor: A Military Family Alphabet by Devin Scillian. This book talks about the different branches of service and military life. It is a great book to have when starting out on the military journey.

  • Daddy’s Deployed by Bridget Platt. The only military book of its kind: Daddy’s Deployed is a completely customized children’s book for those with a parent deploying. The book features the name, gender, and physical attributes of, not only the child, but the parents as well!

  • A Paper Hug by Stephanie Skolmoski. A sweet story about a boy whose Dad has to go away on a deployment. The book talks about the different emotions he goes through. It is a perfect book if you are about to go through a deployment or separation.
  • Lily Hates Goodbyes Jerilyn Marler. Lily has lots of feelings during her father’s deployment. Sometimes she is angry. Sometimes she is sad. Sometimes she cries. Sometimes she yells. Through it all, her mother tells her that these feelings are normal.
  • Coming Home by Greg Ruth. This is a great book for the end of a deployment. The pictures tell the story and in the end you find out that Mom is the one that was deployment, not Dad.
  • The Berenstain Bears’ Moving Day by Stan and Jan Berenstain. Help your small children prepare for a move using the cute Berenstain Bears to tell their story. This would be a great read to help prepare small children for an upcoming move.
  • Big Dan’s Moving Van by Leslie Mcguire. This book explains to toddlers and preschoolers how the packers will put all your household goods into boxes. But there is no reason to worry because you will see all your toys again– at your new house. 

School Aged Children

They can read some of these books themselves but it is also nice to be able to read with your military child.

  • Countdown ’til Daddy Comes Home by Kristin Ayyar. This book is about getting ready for a parent to come home after being away for a while. It has some great ideas for the kids and includes discussion questions to get them talking about what they are going through.

  • Soldier by Simon Adams. A favorite in our house, this book talks about soldiers, what they do, what equipment they use and is filled with a lot of detailed photos and diagrams. It can be a great resource so children can learn more about what their parent does for a living.

  • The Good-Pie Party by Liz Garton Scanlon. Three little girls are worried about saying good-bye to their best friend. But instead of having a farewell party, they decide to invite their neighbors to bake pies for a “good-pie party.” This is a tender and sweet book about moving.

  • The Moving Book: A Kids’ Survival Guide by Gabriel Davis. Although this book is not just for military children, they will get a lot out of it. It will help them understand a move and allow them to have a little more fun with the moving process. 

  • Why is Dad So Mad? by Seth Kastle. This book is about a Dad who is going through PTSD. It can be a great tool to use if that is something your family is going through and you are not quite sure how to explain it to your child. 

 

Teenagers

This age group needs books on military life too. It can help them understand and deal with some of the issues that come up in this lifestyle.

  • My Story: Blogs by Four Military Teens by Michelle D. Sherman, Ph.D., and DeAnne M. Sherman. This book follows four teens as they make their way through a parent’s deployment. The stories are fictional but are based on real-life experiences.

What is your military child’s favorite military book?

Purina® Partners with MilitaryShoppers to Support Dogs on Deployment

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Have you seen this adorable military homecoming video?

For the last week, every time I scroll through my Facebook news feed, I see a friend liking, commenting and sharing this video. I can’t help but watch it repeatedly and smile to myself. This video reminds me that spouses, parents and kids aren’t the only ones to say goodbye during a deployment.  Ever wonder when you deploy, where does your pet go?

Our loyal pets also feel the void when their soldier, sailor, airman or Marine isn’t at home. These dogs miss their owners. And their owners miss their companionship during the lengthy separations.

That’s why nonprofit organizations, like Dogs on DeploymentDoD logo, are necessary for today’s military families. Since its inception in 2011, Dogs on Deployment has successfully placed more than 600 pets with foster families. That’s 600 pets that experienced the joy of a homecoming, like Mara in the video above.

But providing care for these military pets isn’t easy. Besides constantly searching for responsible and dedicated foster parents willing to share their homes, the organization also needs financial support and help getting the word out about its mission.

That’s why Purina® has partnered with MilitaryShoppers.com to support Dogs on Deployment. Like Dogs on Deployment, Purina® has a passion for pets.

Our passion for pets goes beyond pushing pet nutrition forward, and into forging partnerships in the pet welfare world and raising awareness of what pets truly need. After all, we’ve seen firsthand how powerful the bond with a pet can be, and the many unique ways that pets can strengthen our families and bring our communities closer. Purina logo

 

Through this partnership Purina® is supporting and creating awareness for this incredible nonprofit organization and service to our military pet owners.

Find out what Purina® products are on sale now!

Dogs on Deployment is a national nonprofit which provides an online network for service members to search for volunteers who are willing to board their pets during their owner’s service commitments. Dogs on Deployment promotes responsible, lifelong pet ownership by military pet owners by advocating for military pet owner rights, providing educational resources and granting financial assistance for military pet owners during times of emergency.

JJ_DodPurina_May

Are you planning to deploy and need a foster home for your pet? Plan ahead by registering with Dogs on Deployment today.

Visit Dogs on Deployment on Facebook and be sure to like their page to follow along with all of their amazing efforts!

Want to watch more heartwarming homecoming videos from Dogs on Deployment?

8 Signs You Were a Military Brat

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Nearly 29 years ago, I was born in a hospital on Shaw Air Force Base and started my journey as a military brat. For the next 18 years, I was dragged (sometimes kicking and screaming), through the military lifestyle from one side of the world to the other and back again. Plus, a couple of moves here and there stateside.

At the time, I thought military life was tiring, stressful and sad, especially for the “see you laters” when the military would send my dad away. But, I’ve come to realize that the experience made me value every little thing and embrace the lifestyle as a military spouse.

Besides being moved here, there and everywhere, there are a handful of unique qualities that military kids share.

8 Signs You Were a Military Brat

Photo Credit: Lauren Nygard Photography

You know you’re a military kid when…

  1. You don’t know how to answer, where are you from? Yes, I was born in South Carolina, but PCSed to the Philippines when I was 2 months old. 8 Signs You Were a Military BratAnd let’s not get me started on all the other moves afterward. Answering where are you from becomes a huge and elaborate monologue. Now, I just say Texas. That’s where my parents are and that’s where I graduated high school. Good for me.
  2. You have friends and family all over the world. With each move, our family grew. It’s so wonderful to have people that are from and live in so many different parts of the world. It gives the opportunity to learn from so many different cultures and traditions. And that brings me to my next point…
  3. You love adventure! I like to think that being a military kid gave me wanderlust. I desire and enjoy exploring and seeing new places and things. The military kind of forces adventure on you, but at the end of the day, despite how scary it can be, military life is also thrilling. Once my father retired, we still visited installations around the United States and managed to vacation at some awesome hotspots.
  4. You have a strong sense of pride. When my family settled in Texas, I attended a civilian school because we lived about 20 miles from base. It wasn’t a common occurrence to have military kids in your classroom. I was very proud and still am about my dad’s service and my mom’s support. They both are wonderful role models to me and I look forward to them being strong role models for my own military kids, when the time comes. The pride overflows to the whole military community too. Even before I met my husband, I always had that respect for men and women in uniform.8 Signs You Were a Military Brat
  5. You can “go with the flow” better than your civilian counterpart. Change is difficult. But, resilience is one of the strongest virtues of military kids. We’re young, adaptable and understanding (for the most part…). And because we have to, we learn to go on and appreciate what we have and love it.
  6. You LOVE (or in my case, loved) Take Your Kids to Work day! I know this depends on your school district, but when I was a kiddo, I loved going to my dad’s work! We got to see fighter planes in action and pretended to be a part of briefings, not to mention walk on the tarmac. How cool was that? Sorry Mom, accounting wasn’t nearly as fun.
  7. You own a wardrobe for every climate (or it’s a work in progress). Down coat, check! Galoshes, check! Board shorts, check! Tank top, check! Before we moved to Texas, we were in Utah, where the snow would exceed my height. My parents made sure to keep everything (within reason) that would benefit another move to the cold. You never know!
  8. You think homecomings are the best thing ever. I don’t know about you, but I think homecomings are awesome times a thousand. 8 Signs You Were a Military BratNo matter what, who, when, where…even if it’s just with friends you haven’t seen in awhile. There is just something beautiful and perfect about seeing a loved one after an extended amount of time. It’s the most amazing feeling in the world.

Were you a military brat? Did we miss anything on this list? Tell us in the comments section.

Preparing Your Military Child to be the New Kid on Base

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As a military family you know that moving is a part of the deal. You may move every 3 to 4 years. This means your children will have to be the new kid every few years. With that comes a lot of emotions and could lead to some frustrating situations.

I did not grow up in a military family. I lived in the same house from the time I was 5 years old until I moved out at age 18. I went to elementary school, junior high and high school with a lot of the same people. I was never the new girl. I never knew what it was like to go into a new classroom not knowing anyone. I never had to search for friends in the third grade because I had just moved to that city from a different state.

Preparing Your Military Child to be the New Kid on the Base

If you are in a military family you might be worried about your children having to be the new kid every few years.

You might worry about them being bullied. You might ask yourself if being a military kid will make it more likely that they will be bullied? That can happen to a new kid who is just trying to figure out their place in the new school.

The fact is, bullying can happen anywhere. I saw and experienced it in my own non-military childhood. Bullying can happen on military bases all over the country. Wherever there are kids, bullying can be an issue. However, that doesn’t mean that as a military child your son or daughter has accept it.

Here are some things you can do with your child to help them overcome possible situations where they could be bullied.

It is a good idea to go over what is going to happen with the move before you actually get there. Tell your children about their new school and even the route to get there. Let them know that it’s OK to be nervous and that most people are when they go to a new school. Letting them know that it is normal to feel the way they do can go a long way in helping them have a lot of confidence on that first day. The less lost they feel the easier it will be for them to reach out to others and not feel so alone.

Teach them to seek out other children that look friendly and to not be afraid to say hi to a student that might become a new friend. Go over different ways they can talk to others and which questions they can ask to get to know someone. This will help them feel more comfortable when they are trying to find a new friend.

You also want to let them know what they can do if they are bullied. Explain who they should talk to if they experience bullying and where to go for help.

Even if your child is not the new kid it is a good idea to teach them how to treat others and how to be a friendly person to everyone you might meet. Explain to them that the new girl or boy in their class might become their best friend if they are open enough to really get to know them.

Preparing Your Military Child to be the New Kid on the Base

Moving is stressful and being worried about your child at a new school can be hard. Like a lot of other things in the military world, being prepared can go a long way in making your child feel comfortable.

Has your military child dealt with bullying at a new school? Tell us in the comments section.

My Husband, My Soldier, My Hero

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Before my husband, I already had a huge appreciation for our men and women in uniform because of my dad, a retired Air Force Master Sergeant. He was the first important man in my life and is undeniably my first hero. After growing up with an Air Force presence, I was honestly nervous to start a relationship with a military man. I had an idea of what would lie ahead and I was scared.

Our service members are amazing and I have the utmost respect in everything that they do. I didn’t know if I, myself, could handle the lifestyle as a military spouse.

Then, I was sent a direct online message.

My husband messaged me on an online dating site and that how our relationship started. We may have not met in a glamorous or unique circumstance, but it’s our story and I’m proud of everything that our relationship has endured from that point on. Thank you, Internet for bringing my husband to my life.

He signed on to the dating website while he was deployed and I was looking to experience a new way to meet men. We talked about anything and everything for months before we were able to meet in person and the rest is history.

Despite being in high-stress environments and situations that I’m not going to even try to comprehend, he was wonderful to me and made the distance work. The military did have a big influence with how we maintained our relationship, but he turned me around on my thoughts about a long-term future with a service member.

He made it easy for me to seal the deal and say yes to a lifelong adventure with him.

My Husband, My Soldier, My Hero

Before orders took him overseas, we put together a quick courthouse ceremony in my hometown. I had a childhood friend of mine follow us around the state capital area to take pictures of us. My then-fiance was wearing his ACUs and it was honestly one of the first times I have ever seen him in his uniform in person. When we were dating, it would always be during the off-duty hours, so he would be in his civies.

As we were walking around town, complete strangers were walking up to us and thanking my husband for his service. They recognized him in his uniform and went out of their way to make sure he knew that there were people either thinking of him or supporting him. It made me appreciate the little things that weren’t so upfront before because I never saw him in his uniform. That piece of clothing symbolizes so much more than just my husband, but everyone else that wears it.

When we were walking around town that special day, it made me realize the choice my husband made to serve our country as one that not only myself admired, but people that never even met him. It was a humbling experience and ultimately became the first moment I truly felt like an Army spouse.

We all have different experiences that contribute to the greatness of our military community.

Is your military member your hero? Add your stories of inspiration with MilitaryShoppers.

3 Things to Consider When Choosing a Family Pet

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My daughter has been asking for a pet ever since the day she could say “dog.” And I think she has been asking every day since then. (Just for your information, dog was her first word following momma and dadda.)

It’s not surprising that she wants a pet. We are the odd military family without a dog, cat, gerbil or turtle. Every other family in our neighborhood has a dog. Heck, even the Marine Corps has a dog. I’m kind of obsessed with Chesty.

But as a child, I never had a dog. I don’t know how to train one, so I certainly don’t know how to pick one. Boston terrier or bloodhound? Which one would be a better fit for my family? Honestly I have no idea. Until I used Purina’s Breed Selector. This interactive online questionnaire walks you through a series of questions that can help identify the best dog breed for your family.

For example, do you want a dog that is good with children? Yes, please. Then a collie would be a good fit for your family. Want one that doesn’t bark? You should consider a pug. Want a dog to be your running buddy? Then you will love the active nature of a boxer.

Here 3 more things to consider when choosing a family pet.

3 Things to Consider When Choosing a Family Pet

Primary Pet Care Giver. We all know that a family pet is a member of the family, but the daily care of this animal generally falls on 1 individual in the house. If that person is Dad and Dad is deployed, then you may want to wait to get a pet. If there’s a newborn in our house, Mom is too preoccupied to care for a dog right now. But a cat may be a nice low maintenance addition to your family. If that primary pet care giver is your 10-year-old son and this is his first pet, ease him into it. Choose an animal that doesn’t require a lot of daily responsibility.

Your Current Schedule. Looking for your current schedule, are you home during the day or are you at work? Would this animal be alone all day? Or would he have a house of kids to play with? Do you like to take weekend getaways? Ask yourself these questions and be realistic. I once had a neighbor whose husband worked long hours and she liked to go out with her girlfriends on the weekends. Hence, her puppy spent a lot of time alone in the backyard. Is that what you want for your pet?

PCS-Friendly Pet. As a military family, you are most likely going to move. And you may move overseas. Think about the logistics of getting your furry friend to your new duty station. If you’re moving to Germany or Hawaii, that can be an extra expense that you want to budget for during your PCS. If you moving from Virginia to Washington State, you need to stay at pet-friendly hotels with Fido. Obviously this isn’t a deal breaker (because many military families have pets), but like everything else in a PCS, you need to plan for it.

Pets are a special part of our families and unlike the rest of our family members, we get to choose them. Take the time to pick a pet that fits with you, your needs and your family’s lifestyle. You’ll be happy you did your research during the first few months of pet ownership.

Are you a proud military pet owner? Share a photo of your family’s pet with the MilitaryShoppers photo contest.

Moving in with Your Parents during a Deployment

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As the summer of 2009 was approaching, I knew I had to do something. My husband was deployed yet again and I was in Germany with 2 small little boys. I couldn’t imagine going through a whole school-free summer by myself. I needed a break, a big one.

Moving in with Your Parents during a Deployment

That was when I decided to go live with my parents for the summer. We took a Space-A flight out the end of May and stayed until the last week in August, a few weeks before school started again.

Moving back home was one of the best things I have ever done to help me get through a deployment.

There were so many benefits to going home for the summer. For one thing, I no longer had to be the only adult in the house. I had my parents right there to help me out. My brother and other family members and friends were also around to spend time with. I was able to plan an amazing summer taking my kids to some of the same places I went to as a child. I loved being able to do that with them. My husband even went there for his R&R and we were able to take a romantic trip for a few days while my parents watched our kids.

For me it was a big fat break from the regular deployment routine. I didn’t have to do everything for a few months. I got to enjoy time with my family and my parents were able to bond a little bit with my boys. It worked really well for us and helped speed up the deployment. By the time I got back to Germany we only had about 6 weeks before he came home.

Living with my parents worked for my family, but this temporary living arrangement doesn’t always work for everyone.

You need a good place to go that will be a comfortable home for you and your children. You will have a much harder time if the place you will be staying is more stressful than staying put at your current duty station.

Another thing to consider is what you are giving up. You might not have any other military friends nearby. I was OK with this but others might not be. There is a lot of support to be found in a military community and you give up some of that empathy when you move home for a deployment.

Related: Creative Deployment Activities for Military Kids

You also need to find out what will happen to your housing if you do leave. Some places will make you move out if you are gone for a certain amount of time. We were lucky in that we could keep our home in Germany, I just had to find someone to keep an eye on things while we were away. I knew when we went back everything would be there waiting for me. If your spouse is planning to ETS back home after the deployment, it might be a good idea to move home early and get settled. It can make the whole transition a lot easier when he comes back from deployment.

If your children are older, moving in with the grandparents might not be an option for you. You won’t want to pull them out of school. They won’t want to leave their friends. I know I wouldn’t be able to go home for a whole summer again because of the ages of my children. When we went home in 2009 they were only 2 and 4 years old.

You really have to think hard about if going home during a deployment is the right thing to do. For some people it is and for others it’s better to stay where they are.

Have you lived with your parents or in-laws during a deployment? Would you recommend it?

10 Tips for an Overseas PCS

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Is it PCS season already?

Everyone I know seems to be moving in the next few months and that includes my family as well. A few of my close friends are going on to great adventures in Spain. We, on the other hand, are only moving up to Maryland, not quite as exciting. While I’m simply house hunting online and slowly decluttering, my friends with an overseas PCS are running around town trying to get so many things done. PCSing overseas takes a lot more prepping than simply moving one state over.

When we move this summer, it will be to my 17th house. For some people that may sound like a lot of moving around and for others it might not. I’ve lived in Germany and Australia and all over America as well. While I would love to be moving overseas again, I am happy to not be feeling the stress these women are as they race to check so many things off their list before the big move.

I spoke with three of them today and collectively we’ve come up with a few tips to make your upcoming overseas move easier.

10 Tips for an Overseas PCS

Have you been stationed outside of the United States?

  1. Ensure you have all the paperwork you need to complete for the move and know when it is due. Double-check with your family sponsor that you have everything together so you aren’t running around last-minute trying to get things done.
  2. Make a PCS binder to keep important documents in such as: a copy of the military orders, birth certificates, your marriage license and car titles. Take this binder with you. Do not let the movers pack it in your household goods shipment.
  3. Get your passport in advance. It can take some time to get them back so go ahead and apply for one the moment your spouse starts talking about orders.
  4. Schedule doctor and dentist appointments as soon as possible. If you have a military provider, it may take a while to get an appointment. You’ll need to make sure all your shots are up-to-date and have proof of it. You’ll want to get a hard copy of your medical and dental records as well and if you have prescription medication, you’ll want to ensure you have enough to make it until you get an appointment at your next duty station.

    10 Tips for an Overseas PCS

    Moving overseas? You’ll want to get a hard copy of your medical and dental records.

  5. Sell unnecessary belongings. The less you have to pack and unpack the better. Will you really need the items that you’ve stored in your garage or those that you never unpacked from the previous move? It’s time to declutter. There are many Facebook online yard sale pages you can go through; you can sell items on Craigslist, eBay or through the paper. If it doesn’t all sell, you can always donate items to a local charity and on-base thrift store.
  6. Be prepared to sell or store your car. Do you really want to take your Toyota Tundra to Spain? Just imagine trying to drive that giant truck down the narrow street and forget about parking it. You’ll want to look into storing it, selling it or trading it in.
  7. If someone is registered with the Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP), you’ll want to make sure all of their information is up-to-date in the system. You can follow these tips to make an EFMP folder with all the pertinent information such as: an individualized education plan (if applicable), school paperwork and medical documents.
  8. Find out about the military installation you’re moving to. MilitaryShoppers has a Best Bases section where military families have provided their opinion on different locations and offer recommendations on where to live or not to live.

    10 Tips for an Overseas PCS

    Is there a restaurant you’ve always wanted to try? Add it to your bucket list.

  9. Make a bucket list of things you want to do before you move. Have you really seen all the sites in the town you live in now? Is there a restaurant you’ve always wanted to try or a park you’ve wanted to stroll through? Take some time, if you can, and soak up the local atmosphere. You might not get the chance to do it again.
  10. Make arrangements to visit friends and family before you go. Saying goodbye to friends is part of military life unfortunately. Make sure you take a moment to say a proper goodbye and let them know how much you have appreciated their friendship. Moving of course doesn’t have to mean that friendship is over; I have many friends from different bases. It’s a good time to let them know how you feel though. If you can, make a trip home to see your family. For some, it might be a long time before you see them again.

These are just a few recommendations based on previous and current moves we’ve all made. Hopefully these tips will help you prepare and you will feel confident and excited about your move.

10 Tips for Military Families Moving Overseas

Are you ready for PCS season?

Have you been stationed outside of the United States? What tips do you have for an overseas PCS?