April 26, 2010 
by Molly Blake
Eva Schaffner is standing amid hundreds of cardboard boxes in what will soon be her former living room. The Marine Corps spouse is moving for the ninth time with her family, this time from North Carolina to Arizona. The key to a successful PCS, says this veteran Corps spouse, is organization.
"The earlier you start planning," said Schaffner, "the smoother it usually goes."
As PCS season descends, Eva and thousands of other military spouses will bid farewell to beloved hair stylists, dentists, and neighbors, and begin the summer migration from one base to another. While this rite of passage for military folks can be frustrating and tedious, having an efficient plan will keep this PCS trouble-free.
1) Obtain a copy of your orders and make several extra copies to keep on hand.
2) Start a PCS file or binder where you can put orders, PCS-related information, and contact numbers and names.
3) Sit down with your spouse and the calendar and map out the move schedule. Plan out potential pack/load dates leaving enough time between the days movers will pack your household goods and load them (usually the next day) and the date you plan on checking to your new post. Factor in a few extra days for the inevitable car trouble, summer traffic backups and visits with friends!
i.e.:
- Pack and truck loading dates: June 23-25
- Final house cleaning: June 26-27
- Depart and move: June 28-July 8
- Check in to new post: July 9
- Move in dates: July 12-13
4) The base transportation office for your spouses' unit will start to get busy after May 1 so the sooner you can schedule dates, the better. The staff will need to know estimation of the total weight of all your household goods, if you are moving any firearms, special instructions regarding antiques, washer/dryers or fancy televisions and of course the final destination. It's handy to have the name and contact information of someone else (parent or good friend) who is allowed to receive your property at your new address in case you can't be there.
5) Once you turn in your requested pack/load dates, the transportation office contacts local moving companies who will then bid for your business. This can take anywhere from a few weeks to a month but as soon as a bid is accepted, the moving office will contact you and confirm a pack and load date. (This is why it's good to be at the top of the list!) The moving company will also schedule an in-home meeting where they walk through your home to inventory big-ticket items and better estimate the total weight of all your household goods.
6) If you live in base housing, contact the housing office and inform them of your PCS dates and make sure you are aware of the proper move-out procedures and requirements.
7) If you are brave enough to tackle a DITY (Do-It-Yourself) move, check military.com's comprehensive DITY guide for extensive details and how-to lists.
In the meantime, it's time to get organized at home. Start a few months before the move to avoid missteps that could complicate the move timeframe.
A) Go through closets, storage bins, attic space, and the basement. A good to rule of thumb: if you haven't used it in a year, get rid of it! Schedule a pickup with a local charitable organization, keep the receipt and take a tax write-off for the year. For the entrepreneur: hold a yard sale and make a few bucks to put towards a fun road trip activity like a visit to a state park or amusement park. The military does have limits on how much stuff they will move and keep future closet size and storage space in mind. Less is more and even more importantly, you are responsible for unpacking all your goods so cleaning out the junk drawer ultimately means less work for you.
B) Put a medium size storage bin in each room. Toss in items that can't be packed such as important paperwork, keepsakes, jewelry, medical records or even clothes. Movers will pack everything, including the trash, and once it's packed, plan on seeing it at the next duty station and not before. Clearly mark these bins ‘DO NOT PACK,' and place them in the car, off in a corner or at a trusted neighbor's house on the day the packers arrive. Be sure and toss in a roll of toilet paper and cleaning products.
C) While you are waiting for the transportation office to get back to you, start planning the fun parts of a PCS. Make a PCS IPOD playlist, track down pals who live along your travel route and arrange a visit, and don't forget to check out the many state and national parks that offer an abundance of activities and terrific military discounts!
"We always create wonderful family memories on our PCS road trips." said Schaffner. "The adventure part of it is half the fun."
Stay tuned for part two of the series that breaks down what to do the last two weeks before the big day and of course, part three will focus on moving day but by then, you'll be so prepared everything will flow like clockwork.