Course Catalog / BMU 105 / Lesson 4 of 5

BMU 105

Quick review

1. What number reaches Military OneSource?

See the answer

800 342 9647.

2. What is the Navy family center called?

See the answer

Fleet and Family Support Center.

Why this matters

PCS means Permanent Change of Station. It is a military move to a new base. Many families move every few years.

Your first one can feel like a lot. It gets easier when you know the order of steps.

Start with what you already do

You already know a move goes better with a plan, a list, and a date.

Common belief: We can book movers as soon as we hear where we are going.

What is actually true: Military OneSource says to wait for official orders. A heads up is not enough. Your orders set what you can ship and who can come.

Key words

PCS

Permanent Change of Station. A military move to a new duty station.

orders

The official paper that tells your sponsor where and when to go.

transportation office

The base office that helps plan your move. You may hear it called the personal property office.

Four steps, in order

1. Get official orders. Check that the duty station, family members, and dates are right.
2. Contact the transportation office. Schedule a counseling session to learn your options.
3. Create your shipment online. Use the Defense Personal Property System (DPS) or MilMove to upload orders and set up the shipment.
4. Plan the rest. Use Plan My Move for checklists on housing, schools, and your new community.

Text version of this figure

Your first PCS. Orders first. Everything else follows.

1. Step 1, Official orders: Check names, dates, and duty station.
2. Step 2, Transportation office: Book counseling.
3. Step 3, Create the shipment: Upload orders in DPS or MilMove.
4. Step 4, Plan My Move: Checklists for the rest.
5. Red flag: Booking anything big before you have orders.

Source: Military OneSource PCS pages (Oct 29, 2026).

Where to get help

• Your base transportation office
• 833 645 6683 (833 MIL MOVE): the help desk for the online move system, open 24/7
• Military OneSource relocation help: 800 342 9647
• Your family center's relocation program

BMU 302 Military Spouse Field Manual goes deeper on PCS, housing, and travel.

Military OneSource lists PCS call center hours as weekdays, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central. Your base transportation office is still your first stop for move questions.

Worked example: Rosa's first move

Dan hears he may move to Texas. Rosa wants to start packing.

1. They wait. Two months later, Dan gets official orders.
2. Rosa checks that her name is on them.
3. They call the transportation office and book counseling.
4. After counseling, Dan sets up the shipment online.
5. Rosa uses Plan My Move to build a checklist.

Rosa and Dan are a made up example.

Practice: Check the orders

Ari's new orders list the right base and report date. Her name is missing from the family members.

What should she do, and what should she not do yet?

Check your practice: feedback

Ask her sponsor to get the orders fixed before the move, since orders set who can come. Do not book movers, sign a lease, or give notice until the corrected orders are in hand. Then book counseling with the transportation office.

Common mistakes

• Booking before orders. Wait for official orders.
• Not checking orders. Make sure family names and dates are right.
• Skipping counseling. It shows you your options.

Check your understanding

Take it as many times as you like. Pick an answer, then open the feedback.

1. Dee heard a rumor that her family will move. What should she do first?

1. Wait for official orders
2. Give notice to the landlord
3. Book a moving truck

See the answer and feedback

A is correct. Right. Orders come first.

B: Too soon. Review Four steps, in order.

C: Too soon. Review Four steps, in order.

2. Who helps you plan the shipment of your things?

1. The base ID card office
2. The transportation office
3. The family center

See the answer and feedback

B is correct. Yes. Book counseling there.

A: That office handles ID cards. Review Four steps, in order.

C: The family center can help you plan, but the transportation office handles the shipment. Review Four steps, in order.

3. Leo's name is spelled wrong on the orders. What should he do?

1. Fix it after the move
2. Change it by hand
3. Ask to fix it before the move

See the answer and feedback

C is correct. Right. Check orders and get them fixed.

A: Errors can hold up the move. Fix them first. Review Four steps, in order.

B: Do not edit orders. Review Four steps, in order.

Next up

Next you will put it all together in a 90 day plan. Go to Lesson 5: Your 90 day plan.

Stuck or have a question? Ask BMU Learner Support.

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