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My PCS Unpacking Playlist

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It isn’t a surprise that PCS season is a stressful time for military families. While the stress increases and the ability to take personal time or breaks dwindles, it’s time to take the stress breaks how you can get them. One of those ways is through music. According to medical studies, music has the added benefit of lowering stress. So, while you are unpacking your boxes, and suitcases and rearranging your lives, blast these songs and sing aloud.

Bridgerton Soundtrack – Now don’t start watching the show because that will easily become a distraction, but the music is pleasant. The genre is classical meaning you won’t be singing out, but you will be able to hear children or the other adult in the house while unpacking if they found the coveted towels. Don’t forget to check out the Bridgerton covers – these are classic renditions of popular songs, and you might just be surprised by how much that song you didn’t enjoy previously sounds so much better.

Hawaiian Tunes – Who wouldn’t rather be on vacation in Hawaii on the beach with a sea breeze blowing through your hair. Choosing the sound of waves over the sound of tape coming off boxes may not be an option if you are unpacking from a PCS, but you sure as heck can pretend by listening to some island melodies.

Calypso – Well, if you can’t be on a tropical island, perhaps you can pretend you are on a cruise. All those boxes you are unpacking are souvenirs from your suitcase…okay, maybe not 100 times over, but this music is sure to boost your mood while unpacking. Feel free to dance along while you wrap and pack or label all the boxes.

Top Gun Soundtrack – The original, cannot comment on the new movie or if there will be one. The mix of ballads and power songs will boost morale, and, depending on your age, will bring up fun memories. Just remember not to play volleyball with the box of kitchenware – that’s breakable.

80s Rock – Even if you aren’t an 80s kid, chances are you have heard at least a few of these songs. They are great songs to belt out stress to. With classics like Journey’s Don’t Stop Believin’, Queen’s Another One Bites the Dust (hopefully that isn’t a comment on your kitchen glassware) and Guns N’ Roses Sweet Child O’ Mine, you can’t go wrong.

Power Ballads – When you get to the end of packing hours or just need the motivation to get started, it’s time for some power ballads. Hootie and the Blowfish’s Let Her Cry, Bryan Adams’ (Everything I Do) I Do It For You, and Meatloaf’s I Would Do Anything for Love may feel pretty real as you unpack your home for the first or fourteenth time because the military gave your family order. Feel free to grab a spoon or hairbrush and sing along.

Your Favorite Movie Soundtrack – Maybe Top Gun isn’t your thing. Maybe you prefer the music of the swashbuckling genre, wizarding type, or more of the animated type that will make you giggle through the boxes. Choose your favorite movie, and it is sure to make at least 30 minutes of unpacking go smoothly and boost your mood as you decide where those books will go.

Your Favorite TV Show Soundtrack – Now, most shows don’t necessarily have a soundtrack, but some do. And if you enjoy British television, then check out their soundtracks. Often, the melodious tunes are played by an orchestra, adding an element of elegance to their songs. Shows like Downton Abbey, The Crown, Mad Men, Poldark, and Doctor Who have excellent soundtracks.

Somewhere Over the Rainbow – The ultimate, it will get better son is an excellent song by Israel Kamakawiwo’ole. It is relaxing and happy. Kermit the Frog also makes an excellent version, and if you want to listen to renditions of this song all day, we won’t blame you.

Organizing, packing up, and labeling your belongings is a busy and stressful time, but that doesn’t mean you can’t add a little enjoyment to it with an amazing playlist.

How A Military Family Celebrates Memorial Day

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What does Memorial Day mean to you? According to History.com, Memorial Day was originally Decoration Day, which sprung from the Civil War as a way to pay tribute to those who lost their lives during that diving war. Memorial Day became an official holiday in 1968 when Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act designating Memorial Day as the last Monday in May and creating a three-day federal weekend in honor of it. Memorial Day became official in 1971. What Memorial Day is today is altogether different with sales ads in the mail, in the stores, on your social media.

We honor Memorial Day in two ways – to honor and celebrate those lives sacrificed.

In Honor Of

As we have moved around the world during my husband’s military career, we haven’t had a consistent place we honor those who have fallen. When we lived near Washington D.C., we would take our family up to the memorials to reflect on the past –  World War I, World War II, Vietnam. We recently went to the exhibit about September 11, 2001 and its impact on the military at the Marine Corps Museum at Quantico, Virginia. You don’t have to live near D.C. to honor the fallen. There are memorials worldwide, literally, where families can visit and reflect and honor the fallen.

If you are looking for a burial site near you, check out the American Battle Monuments Commission website.  There are memorials around the World from, Belgium to the U.S. special cemeteries are occurring at the ABMC sites for Memorial Day, check out their scheduled ceremonies here.

Normandy France

The Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial in Colleville-sur-Mer is where around 9,388 service members are buried after the invasion of Normandy in World War II. Those living in Europe can visit the historic site to reflect on the history of the place and the lost lives to change the trajectory of World War II.

Washington DC

As the capital of the United States, Washington DC is host to many museums and memorials. World War I Memorial, World War II Memorial, Korean War Veterans Memorial and Vietnam Veterans Memorial welcome veterans and visitors alike around Memorial Day. Arlington National Cemetery also is open to visitors.

If you are not living near a cemetery where someone you know is there, you can ask the local cemetery if they are doing anything in honor of Memorial Day. We have lived in many places where the local cemetery puts out small flags in honor of those who served, and you can help with that. It’s celebrating someone who may not have family nearby or someone who has no more living relatives.

In Celebration Of

Honoring the fallen doesn’t just happen at the graveside. If your fallen friends are not near where you can visit-remember the poem, they are not there….

It’s okay to have a barbeque. When veterans talk about their fallen friends, they reflect on the positive things that person did in their life for them. They review their impact on the people around them. Those people likely enjoyed a BBQ or two, and they would want you to. Memorial Day can be a time to try new recipes and gather with loved ones. The hope is that you remember the fallen as you enjoy a barbeque with friends and family. Reflect on the sentiment of remembering the fallen.

The reality is that America would not be what it is today without the wars that shaped us – the Revolutionary War that founded us, the Civil War shaped us, the World Wars that brought us into a new century and Operation Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedoms – the war that many know personally. It is only fitting to gather with family and friends and celebrate what those battles brought us – freedom. Freedom is not free. And that is why we honor and celebrate Memorial Day.

Try These 6 Recipes for Your Barbeque Party This May

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Hosting a summer barbeque? Check out these recipes, and you will want to! Wow your family, friends, or maybe treat yourself to these fun and unique dishes.

Bacon and Egg Potato Salad

Picnic fare like potato salad is common at Memorial Day and summer picnics, add a little flair by using purple and red potatoes for the color and a flavor upgrade by adding bacon to the salad.

Boil one and one-half pounds of red and purple potatoes – making sure that the potatoes are similar in size, ready around the same time. Make sure to salt the water.  Boil until the potatoes are fork-tender. Bake or sauté bacon until it is ready while the potatoes boil. When the bacon is ready, crumble it up. Once the potatoes are ready, let them cool before cutting them into smaller pieces.  Also, cut up hard-boiled eggs. Mix together ¾ cup of Greek yogurt, 1 tsp of dry mustard powder, 2 tablespoons of apple cider or red wine vinegar with thinly sliced scallions, and chopped red onion to the amount you enjoy. Once mixed, mix in a tablespoon of honey and salt, and pepper together. To the mix, add the potatoes and egg and top with bacon. A different variety of a traditional dish is sure to please all.

Cucumber Salad

This vinegar-based salad is a light dish perfect for an accompaniment to a barbeque or picnic. Slice two pounds of cucumbers lengthwise first and remove seeds. If you want to keep the peel on, use English cucumbers. Once the seeds are removed, slice the cucumbers thinly. Mix cucumbers with sliced red onion, one tablespoon of white wine or red wine vinegar, one tsp of sugar, and one teaspoon of dried oregano. You can sub out oregano for dill or even mint to change up the flavoring of the salad. If there is not enough dressing to dress the cucumber onion, add a little more vinegar. Salt and pepper to taste.

Baked Beans

If you have a usual baked beans recipe, change it up by adding chopped different colored bell peppers and onion along with the beans, ketchup, and brown sugar. Mix one tablespoon dry mustard, one tablespoon apple cider vinegar, 1-2 garlic cloves minced, one teaspoon chili powder, one teaspoon smoked paprika into equal parts ketchup and brown sugar to make a zingy sauce. Mix white beans, black beans, or kidney beans- whatever beans you want or have-together. If you are grilling, instead of baking them consider grilling them in a cast-iron skillet for a yummy dish. Add fresh sliced green onions for extra bite and color.

BBQ Short Ribs

Looking for amazingly delicious and tender short ribs? Look no further. Mix together 2/3 cup of brown sugar, one teaspoon smoked paprika, one teaspoon minced garlic, one tablespoon apple cider vinegar, 2/3 cup ketchup, one tablespoon dry mustard, and one tablespoon Worcestershire sauce together. This is the amazing sauce to pour over 2-5 pounds of ribs. Mix the ribs and sauce together, pour into a 13×9 baking dish, and cover with foil. Cook in the oven heated to 300 degrees F for about 3 hours.

Sparkling Lemonade

There are so many different varieties of lemonade and limeade that you can make a rainbow variety of different lemonades. Whatever your lemonade (pink, traditional, limeade, etc), elevate it by mixing in sparking water or soda water and mint simple syrup.

To make the simple syrup, mix equal parts water and sugar in a pot and simmer until the sugar is dissolved. Once all sugar is dissolved, remove the pot from the heat and add mint springs to steep for 10-15 minutes. Remove the leaves. Add as much simple syrup either to the pitcher or drink as you enjoy mint flavoring.

No Bake Smoresbars

Want something for your sweet tooth? The Pioneer Woman shared this recipe, and it is oh so good.  It uses all of the traditional smores fixings and adds some pizazz.

Melt four tablespoons of butter with 2/3 of a 10-ounce bag of mini-marshmallows. Once melted and combined, mix in one 12-ounce bag of chocolate chips until they are all melted. Mix in a pinch of salt and about five graham crackers broken up.

In a 9inch square baking pan lined with wax paper (and sprayed with cooking spray or shortening rubbed all along wax paper), pour the chocolate-marshmallow-cracker mix and press down, so it is an even base. On top, add the remaining marshmallows, 4-5 more graham crackers that are broken up, and ½ cup of chocolate-coated candies. Sprinkle with your favorite colored sprinkles and let cool for one hour before removing and cutting. They are a little slice of smores for all, without the need for a campfire or stove.

Four Ways to Organize Your Pack Out

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Packing up your belongings as you prepare to move is a process. It can be emotional, physically demanding and not a simple process. If you are joining the DITY/PPM movement, you are getting to ready to pack up your home. If you are doing it this moving season, or looking at it next season, get ready and organize your pack out in one of these four ways.

Organize By Room

This one is the simplest way to organize your pack out and typically how traditional movers pack up homes- packing up by room.  That is, all the living room items get packed together and all the kitchen items get packed together. This makes it easy to know where to put things in your new home and to find things when you are searching for them on the other end.

The downside with this process is that you can’t typically pack early on. You have to pack as you finish up using rooms. So maybe this would work if you have an extra bedroom that isn’t being used, but typically a family is using the kitchen until the last moment.

Organize By Season

This packing organization takes some planning ahead, usually a year in advance. Packing by season is just that- getting all the winter gear together, all spring items together, etc. As the fall season ends, you go through your items – decorations, costumes, seasonally appropriate clothing, etc. You pack up the items to determine what makes the next move and store them in the appropriate bins or boxes.

All hiking gear for the spring gets organized and packed together. All the winter boots and snow gear get packed together.

This is especially fun if you get color-coded bins. Red and green for the holidays, black for Halloween/fall, pastel for spring. This makes items easily visible when glancing around the room.

This makes it easy to find seasonally appropriate items. If you are moving to Hawaii but still want to keep some winter gear, you can easily identify it and make sure to put it in storage because that snowsuit will not be useful there.

Organize by Item Type

Are you a collector of books? Or maybe you are a coffee mug person. Pack up like items together. All those cookbooks go in one box together. All the books get sorted into bins or boxes. If you are sorting your items, this is especially helpful as you can sort and find what you want to donate or keep as you do it.

This one may be tricky as you get to smaller groups of items, but this may also help you organize or purge items that you may not necessarily need.

Organize By Person

Want to make it easier to find the baby’s clothes or where you put your favorite book? Pack and organize items by person. You can go the extra mile in getting a certain color bin or label for each person, so you know who has each box or bin.

If there are older children or just adults in the home, you can even have each person pack their own belongings. This allows the person to go through their items to determine what needs to be packed and what can be donated.

If you have young children, packing this way allows you to go through items slowly and determine what you need to pack and move with. If your last baby no longer fits the 6-month-old clothing, maybe it is time to pick out sentimental items and donate or sell the rest.

The tricky part comes in common spaces like the kitchen or living room where there may be overlap between people. This may lead to another box or label type for those common areas.

Packing up your belongings can be made simpler with organization. How will you organize your move?

Renaming Military Bases Expanded to 750 Names with Confederate Links

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In 2021, a bipartisan agreement listed the plan to rename bases across the military that were named after Confederate Generals, and a commission was formed. The 2021 National Defense Authorization Act outlined the commission’s goal to find new names for 10 Army bases. The list has now expanded in scope dramatically to potentially renaming 750 assets from street names to Naval vessels for Army and Navy assets around the world.

The Naming Commission is made up of eight individuals:

  • Admiral Michelle Howard, USN, Retired
  • Brigadier General Ty Seidule, USA, Retired
  • Lt. General Thomas Bostick, USA, Retired
  • Mr. Jerry Buchannan
  • General Robert Neller, USMC, Retired
  • Mr. Lawerence Romo
  • Dr. Kori Schake
  • U.S. Representative Austin Scott, Representative for Georgia

For instance, U.S. Army base Fort Gordon is being considered for name change in addition to their conference and catering center, bowling center, housing center and various signs, unit level signage and monuments within the cemetery on the installation. Fort Stewart also in Georgia has street names in reference to General Gordon, a general within the Confederate Army.

Beyond Army bases, the crest of the USS Shiloh and the USS Chancellorsville stationed out of Yokosuka are being assessed to rename as these vessels are named after Civil War battles. Both Maury Hall and Buchanan House at the U.S. Naval Academy are also being considered for renaming. Maury Hall is named after Commander Matthew Maury and Admiral Franklin Buchanan were in the Confederate Navy.

The Commission has been directed to provider their final report to Congress no later than October 1, 2022. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin stated that there is an expectation that new names for current bases will be announced in 2023.

Read the entire list of 750 items here which includes the historical reference as to why the name is being considered for name change.  Check out more about the Congressional Commission at their website here.

Navy and Marine Corps Uniforms Get Overhaul

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Military uniform regulations have been present since the Revolutionary War. While the militia didn’t follow uniform regulations, the Continental Army did have specific uniform regulations. From the 1800s onward, as each service branch developed, military uniforms were made, and regulations became commonplace. As time moves forward, so do the uniform options and regulations.

Change in 2022 for the Navy

Facial Hair: Per NAVADMIN 0624/22, for those diagnosed with pseudofolliculitis barbae, beards may be outlined or edged, and a paper copy of the facial hair waiver treatment form is no longer required to be carried while in uniform.

Name Punctuation: Sailors whose legal names contain apostrophes, accent marks, tildes, and hyphens can be used in name tags or name tapes.

Heels: Uniform pumps are allowed up to 3 inches instead of the previous 2 and 5/8 inches.

Changes in 2022 for the Marine Corps

In March of 2022, MARDDMIN 134/22 was published and listed changes to uniform policy. It ranged from haircut changes to maternity uniform overhauls.

Manicures for Female Marines: in addition to clear and nude fingernail polish, French and ombre manicures are now authorized to wear with all uniforms.

Nametape Changes: Apostrophes, accent marks, tildes, and hyphens can now be included on the nametape as long as the space in the tape allows

Haircut changes: “edging up” undesirable hair that extends beyond the natural hairline is authorized as long as it provides a professional and natural appearance and the hair length has changed to 3 inches.

Boot socks: Both olive drab or black cushion socks may be worn with the Marine Corps Combat Utility Uniform in addition to brown socks.

Maternity Uniforms: The maternity tunic, maternity short, and long sleeve shirts have both tab and non-tab options. A maternity undershirt is now available for purchase, and those who receive a uniform allowance will receive a supplemental allowance from purchasing two shirts.

A nursing undershirt is now available. Maternity physical training shorts will tentatively be available in the fiscal year 2023.

As the year progresses, more changes could occur to the regulations. These are the updates as of this writing.

TSP Updating in May 2022

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The Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) is the retirement savings and investment plan offered to federal employees and military service members. TSP is a contribution plan that uses income earned each pay period and invested into the account. A new service provider is taking over as part of the announcement that the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board (FRTIB) would make a mutual fund available to TSP participants. 

As part of this transition, there are a few key dates to know.

May 16: Last day to access all forms, online tools or upload forms to TSP

– Last day to complete rollover or transfer request

– Last day to complete loan agreements

– Last day to complete withdrawal requests

May 16 to the first week of June: Expected transition dates from one service provider to the other

May 26: Last day to make investment changes

– Last day to reamortize (change the term and payment amount) the loan

– Last day to make profile changes or access online tools within your account – this is expected to occur throughout the day

May 26 to the first week of June: All transactions will be temporarily unavailable

First week of June: Full access is expected to be restored, and all transactions will be available

All contributions will continue as previously designated during the service provider change over. Any payroll contributions will continue as scheduled during the changeover, even if access is suspended.

When accounts reopen in June, there is expected to be a TSP mobile app in addition to online access.

After the update is complete, all users will need to update their login information upon accessing the new system for the first time. There will be prompts for identification verification in addition to updating contact information while signing into the account.

As part of the upgrade and change, it is expected that sometime in 2022 mutual funds option will be available for investment on the website.

Any specific TSP questions can be directed to the TSP phone number – 1-877-968-3778 from 7 am to 9 pm EST, Monday through Friday.

Merge of Military Commissaries and Exchanges Cancelled

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In both 2020 and 2021, the National Defense Authorization Act discusses combining the military commissary and exchange system. In August of 2019, Deputy Secretary of Defense David L. Norquist wrote a memorandum recommending the consolidation of the Defense Commissary Agency (DECA), the Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES), the Navy Exchange Service Command (NEX) and the Marine Corps Exchange (MCX). The movement to consolidate was financially motivated.  A 2018 study determined that “the benefits of consolidating the defense resale entities far outweigh the costs.” A Government Accountability Office (GAO) review reached a different conclusion.

Currently, the exchange system uses its profit to support on base programming. Overseas, the exchanges operate movie theaters, food outlets and provide school lunches. Across the world, the exchange profits are put back into programming that support the military members and their families on the bases. When the consolidation was first introduced, the concern was raised if these programs would be continued to be supported.

The military commissary provides tax-free grocery shopping to military families on items that are at lower costs than off-base stores. While the prices differ across the country, the commissary is a constant no matter what military base around the world the military family moves to.

Current Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks has rescinded the memorandum requesting consolidation and advised the Department of Defense (DOD) “to cease all efforts to consolidate the Defense resale entities.”  A reported from the DOD in later 2021 stated that the consolidation was no longer feasible.  The initial 2018 study stated that consolidation would save $700 million to $1.3 billion over a period of five years. New analysis in 2021 determined that consolidation would require $1.5 billion in costs.

While cost-savings is the reason for cancelling the consolidation, other concerns were raised by the National Military Family Association and Military Officers Association of America. The two organizations noted concerns that programming supported by the exchange would end if the consolidation would occur. In addition, the cost would be passed onto customer. There are already increased costs of items in some locations overseas due to the cost of shipping items overseas. Adding an extra cost to them could be significant for military families.

Current law prohibits consolidation of the commissaries and exchanges and with the move away from consolidation, the same services are to continue.

EARTH DAY EVERY DAY: Commissaries highlight processes to help reduce environmental footprint

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FORT LEE, Va. – As the world celebrates 52 years of Earth Day on April 22 and the awareness it brings, the Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA) is highlighting the steps it takes every day to reduce its environmental footprint through recycling and diversion, food donations and the sale of environmentally friendly products.

Since the inception of its environmental program in 2005, DeCA has recycled or diverted over 1.9 billion pounds of solid waste from landfills worldwide. That’s the equivalent of 1,939 fully loaded Boeing 747 jumbo jets being eliminated from landfills.

“It’s not just about Earth Day,” said Steven Edlavitch, DeCA environmental program manager. “The agency has made the commitment to our communities and that means we must also ensure we are doing everything we can to protect and bring sustainability to those communities.”

To fulfill its mission of reducing the agency’s footprint, commissaries recycle and divert different types of commodities. DeCA then sells the commodities and the proceeds are added to the surcharge funds, which pays for the construction of replacement stores, renovations, maintenance and repairs of existing stores, and the purchasing of new equipment and store-level information technology systems. The sale of cardboard, plastic and office paper has generated over $57 million in surcharge funds since 2005. In 2021, DeCA recycled or diverted the following commodities:

  • Aluminum cans – 1,587 pounds
  • Cardboard – 70,182,331 pounds
  • Compost – 8,487,554 pounds
  • Fat and bones – 1,076,858 pounds
  • Food donations – 4,466,361 pounds
  • Food recovery (organics) – 77,320 pounds
  • Local farm – 610,711 pounds
  • Metal – 54,410 pounds
  • Office paper – 44,348 pounds
  • Other recyclables – 29,081 pounds
  • Plastic – 4,074,070 pounds
  • Rotisserie chicken oil – 82,227 pounds
  • Toner cartridges – 72 pounds
  • Wood – 2,614,418 pounds
  • Wood pallets – 3,291,821 pounds

The agency also sells outdated or surplus equipment. “By using a liquidation service to help sell out-of-use items, we have supported the environment by diverting 1.5 million pounds of used equipment from landfills,” said Edlavitch. “We also boosted the commissary benefit at the same time with the sale of these items, generating over $4.1 million in surcharge revenue.”

Another part of DeCA’s environmental program is the agency’s food bank program that donates edible but unsellable food to local food banks around the country. In 2021, the agency donated over 4.4 million pounds of edible but unsellable food. Since 2012, when the program started, the agency has donated over 32 million pounds of food, eliminating approximately 2.6 million pounds of methane gas, a detrimental greenhouse gas. DeCA currently has 196 approved (DoD) food banks and 174 commissaries supporting local foodbanks.

“The pandemic created a large demand for food donations,” said Edlavitch. “Helping food-insecure families is our social responsibility. And as an added bonus, donating food also reduces our environmental impact. We will continue to look for opportunities to donate food to help support our communities.”

DeCA also participates in the Feds Feed Families Food Drive, a voluntary federal-wide and nationwide effort for employees to collect and donate food for those in need. The USDA oversees the program and DeCA manages the DoD Feds Feed Families program. The 2021 campaign, which was conducted from June 1 to Aug. 31, collected just over 7.5 million pounds for donation to food banks. Commissary customers and DeCA employees were responsible for donating 2.4 million pounds or 66 percent of the DOD wide total of 3.7 million pounds. 

Even the commissary buildings contribute to the overall mission. Many of them have been built to or have been renovated to minimize their carbon footprint. Many of the stores have glass doors on their refrigeration units, they take advantage of natural light and use solar power units and LED lighting when possible. Some stores also have low- to no-maintenance flooring which helps to reduce the chemicals and equipment needed to strip and polish floors reducing the overall cost to run stores. The agency is also working to convert or upgrade existing HVAC units and other store technologies to help reduce the footprint further. 

The last part of the agency’s mission is offering environmentally friendly products for commissary customers. Products that can reduce the customers’ impact on the environment can be found in almost every section of the store. Customers can choose from organic produce, energy-saving compact fluorescent and LED light bulbs, high-efficiency laundry products and environmentally friendly cleaning products.

Customers can also find products with reduced packaging like paper towels and bathroom tissue without the cardboard tubes.

The commissary also features a commissary store brand, Full Circle Market, that provides sustainable, simple and better choices through all-natural ingredients, while not costing a fortune or sacrificing taste. According to the brand’s website, their “organic foods are farmed and produced without chemical treatments and processing. Full Circle Market organic foods have been produced using cultural, biological, and mechanical practices that support the cycling of on-farm resources, promote ecological balance, and conserve biodiversity.”

Customers can also buy reusable shopping bags while shopping in their commissaries to help reduce the number of plastic bags being sent to landfills.

“While Earth Day may bring awareness to the systems and processes we have in place to help protect the environment, sustainability is something that is ingrained in how the commissaries do business,” said Edlavitch. “Our customers can count on us to be good stewards of the military and global communities.”

-DeCA-

What To Include In Your Overseas PCS Checklist

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Getting overseas orders, or OCONUS can bring about emotions of a wide array – from elated and excited to dreading and sad. It is true, moving overseas comes with its own variety of stressors, on top of moving which is stressful in itself. Be prepared with this list to make sure you are ready to go.

  1. Medical Clearance: This is key. Medical clearance is required for every family member who would be moving to an overseas location. Some military bases OCONUS have small clinics or hospitals that do not have every medical specialty. The screening ensures that those individuals who need specialized care or medication that requires that they stay CONUS. The screening also identifies if there are any outstanding vaccinations that family members need prior to travel. Once the medical screening is complete state-side, it is sent to the medical clearance department at the gaining command OCONUS. Once area clearance is received, the orders can be completed with every family member who is moving overseas.
  2. Pet Clearance: If you have pets, this can also take several months. Depending on which country you are going to, your pet may need vaccinations, namely Rabies, and rabies titers. If there is even a whisper of potentially overseas orders, highly recommend calling the base vet to find out what paperwork, blood work, vaccinations, and clearance your pet will need. Check out what is required for taking your pet overseas on the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
  3. Passports: When moving overseas, federal passports are provided for all family members on orders. These passports are “no fee,” meaning you do not pay for it. It also means that the passport can only be used when traveling on military orders. You cannot use the federal passport to travel across Europe or Asia when your family is living overseas-it is not a tourist passport. If the location you are moving to requires a visa, the Travel or Transportation Office will provide you with the required paperwork.
  4. Flights: Do not expect to get the Patriot Express – the military airline that transports families overseas. The peak moving periods of the summer and December fill up quickly. There are limited pet spots for sending pets back and forth overseas as well.
  5. Scheduling the Move: Here are a few terms you need to know – express shipment (aka unaccompanied baggage), household goods shipment (aka HHG), and storage. Depending on where you are moving to, you likely get at least two shipments – express and household goods. The express shipment or unaccompanied baggage is just that – baggage that goes ahead of when you leave with the intent of arriving soon after you arrive. The express shipment is limited on weight and is usually restricted to items like your kitchen items, cribs, cleaning items, etc. This is not the shipment for sending your tv, workout equipment, or a large bed. Each service branch has different regulations, so ask the office that schedules your move. The HHG shipment is for the rest of your home goods. The HHG shipment usually comes on the “slow boat,” meaning a freight boat. This shipment typically arrives several months after you arrive OCONUS, so plan accordingly. Don’t pack the uniform items you will need the month you arrive. Each service branch may have a weight limit that differs from moving within the continental United States, so make sure to ask.
  6. Connect with your sponsor: Typically moving overseas means that there is a service member assigned as a sponsor. The sponsor can make hotel reservations and set up a mailbox for the incoming family. They do not pay for the hotel room, they may help with setting things up because of the time difference. They are often the people who pick up the military family from the airport since the incoming family does not likely have an international driver’s license. Ask this person any logistical questions you can.
  7. Shipping a POV: Some duty stations allow you to ship privately owned vehicles (POV), and the transportation office should be able to provide this guidance. If they do not allow POVs to be shipped, you will need to buy local cars upon arrival.
  8. Sell or Store a POV: If you are not bringing your vehicle overseas, the choice is to sell your current vehicle or store it. If you store it through the government, the car should be started periodically. You could also store it with family or allow a friend to borrow it – but make sure you are clear with expectations for car use and maintenance. If you choose to sell your vehicle, make sure to get offers from a dealership and places that buy used cars to resell.  

Tackling the logistical side of moving overseas will help you and your family embrace and enjoy the change. It does take a bit of planning to help an overseas move go smoothly, and knowing what you need as soon as you can will help you get there!