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Week 1: 

• Contact relocation manager at current and new duty stations. Schedule meeting with relocation manager at current station. To help the relocation manager help you obtain all the benefits to which you are entitled, advise relocation manager whether you are married, whether your spouse is a military member and provide the number of children or other family members living with you.
• Set up a system for keeping track of expenses related to your move. (You will need a record for tax-deduction reasons, if you itemize.)
• Inventory your possessions and estimate their value in writing.
• Decide what things you want to leave behind. Hold a garage/yard sale. Donate what isn't sold to charity and, if you itemize, take the deduction.
• Ask your current transportation office (TO) about moving options. Discuss your moving options with your family and assess their effect on everyone.
• Decide on method of travel and whether to do it yourself (DITY). Contact three rental companies for sample rates.
• Check the site for your new housing office to get a picture of your new community.

Week 2:

• If you plan to use a commercial carrier for your move, provide your current TO with your estimated shipping weight. Let TO know if you'll be shipping a private vehicle.
• Prepare your relocation budget. Estimate moving costs and timing of major cash payments. Your relocation manager can assist.
• If you're selling your current home, contact a local real estate agent or your local board of realtors.
• If you plan to buy a home at your new location, ask your current real estate agent for referrals. 
  Agents who specialize in military relocation can be found at www.OperationRelocation.com or www.MilitaryReferrals.com 
• Estimate the amount you wish to spend on a new home. Your relocation manager can help, or use a mortgage calculator  for a rough guideline.
• Obtain a change of address kit at your local post office.
• Order newspaper subscriptions and maps for your new community. Obtain maps for travel routes.

Week 3: 

• Contact any friends you may have in the new location and hire a local real estate agent specializing in military relocation. Request a sponsor at the new station and make contact when one is assigned. Update your address book with this information.
• Make necessary medical, optical and dental appointments and get any necessary immunizations. Make arrangements to have all medical records forwarded or keep a copy to carry with you.
• Plan your route of travel, including any stops for vacation or R & R. Make hotel/motel reservations along the route as needed. For driving directions to the new duty station call your relocation manager or real estate agent.
• Write down reporting dates and addresses at new duty station and post on your refrigerator. Obtain an installation map to find the best routes to these locations.
• Make a list of people and organizations you need to notify about your move. Start to notify a few every day. They should include doctors, dentists, charge accounts, clubs, insurance companies, magazine subscriptions, accountants, broker/investment adviser, schools, friends, relatives and religious institutions.
• Organize family records in a a special "travel file" you will keep with you (not pack).

Week 4:

• Read your renters or homeowners insurance policy to make sure you have coverage for any damage or personal injury in transit.
• Set a moving date and notify your civilian landlord or your base housing office when you intend to vacate the premises. Arrange for temporary lodging to fill any nightly gaps.
• Make sure your relocation manager knows if you plan a DITY move and make sure your moving vehicle will be large enough to hold your household goods.
• For spouses and other employed family members, update resumes and send to prospective employers. Give termination notice to employers and seek referrals wherever possible. Obtain information about the new location, including school calendar and enrollment requirements, religious institutions and how to get new drivers.

• licenses and license plates. Also get the names, phone numbers and deposit requirements of local water, power and heating utility companies in your new area.

Week 5:

• If possible, plan and make a house-hunting trip. Your commander may authorize a permissive TDY for house hunting, but remember, you may be paying expenses related to the trip so include them in your relocation budget.
• Plan the furniture layout in your new home and make a list of items that are lacking.
• Set up bank accounts in the new location and get a safe deposit box, if necessary. Set up local retail charge accounts, if desired.
• Apply for new bank debit (ATM) cards if you use them. Determine your bank card rate and look into getting a lower-rate bank card.
• Find an insurance agent in new area for auto, home, renters, boat, umbrella liability and other necessary coverage. Shop around for the best coverage and rates. Your family center personal financial manager is a valuable resource for this information.
• If you haven't established an address in your new location, obtain a P.O. Box in the new area.

Week 6:

• Schedule transfer of school records and ask for any letters from current teachers that could be helpful establishing your child in the new school.
• If you have been making a DITY move, begin packing a few boxes each day.
• If you are using a commercial carrier, schedule pickup and delivery dates with your carrier and arrange storage, if needed. If you have any questions, ask your relocation manager for help.
• Contact your current utilities to end service on the day after you move. Arrange for the final utility bill(s) to be sent to your new address.

Week 7:

• Check expiration date on military ID card(s) and update it (them), if necessary.
• Decide which fragile, irreplaceable, valuable or other important items you plan to take with you in your personal vehicle and which ones can be safely packed for the carrier to transport.
• Confirm with your relocation manager that you understand the packing and shipping regulations, including those pertaining to pets.
• Make necessary repairs to your current home, and clean it prior to inspection by the base housing office, commercial leasing agent or prospective new owner.
• Take clothes to be dry-cleaned.
• Retrieve things you have loaned. Return any items you have borrowed.

Week 8:

• Review your relocation budget. Determine what the total cash outlay you will need during your move. Include items like lodging you may normally charge. Determine whether you have the cash to carry you over the moving/travel period. Include utility deposits, closing on your new home, accommodations and meals, and pet expenses in your consideration. If you don't have enough savings to carry you, you may have to take advance pay, which you have to pay back. Consult your base pay and finance office for details. However, we urge you to use this option cautiously and only after consulting with your family center personal financial manager and the base pay and finance office.
• Service your vehicle(s).
• Check the status of your pet inoculations and licenses. Be sure to check the regulations for bringing a pet into the new city/town/state.
• Decide where you will spend your last night in your current location.
• Transfer your bank accounts to your new area. Obtain travelers checks to finance your physical move (not counting paying the carrier).
• Settle retail charge accounts and outstanding local bills in your current location.

Week 9:

• If you're using a commercial carrier, verify the moving schedule with the TO at your current and new base.
• If you are moving from a high-rise apartment building, be sure to reserve the freight elevator for moving day.
• Drain oil and gas from your power equipment, such as a lawnmower or chain saw.
• Tag all items going into storage. Mark on the sides of the boxes the rooms in which you wish them to go. You may want to mark which boxes you want to be first off the truck. These "early out" boxes should contain the items you need to help you set up housekeeping immediately--linens, dishes, tableware, etc.

Week 10:

• Remove TV antenna, air conditioner. Service appliances prior to shipment.
• If you're not taking your house plants, give them to someone who will care for them.
• Give a going-away party for your children.
• Pick up medical and dental records, dry cleaning and anything sent out for repair or service.
• Notify your current command of your new permanent address. Also notify your current and new post offices.
• Cancel all regular deliveries and collection, such as newspaper and garbage, as of moving day.
• Arrange for someone to take care of your young children and your pets on moving day.

Week 11:

• Contact your base pay and finance office to assure your Basic Allowance for Quarters will continue at your new location. Ensure that all steps in Permanent Change of Station (PCS) pay checklist have been addressed.
• Clean out refrigerator. Get rid of perishable food you won't eat before moving. It may help to concentrate for two weeks on drawing down your existing food inventory instead of shopping right up to departure.
• Pack special care or irreplaceable items you don't want commercial movers to touch.
• If traveling by car, pack a travel kit to handle emergencies on the way. Pack your luggage and anything you are taking with you in your vehicle.
• Lock the your records file and other valuables in your vehicle's trunk.
• If you're making a DITY move, arrange for people at your new duty station to help you unload.
• Arrange for utilities to be connected at your new home the day before the movers arrive.

Week 12:

• Be there when the movers arrive. Stay with them as they take inventory, tag your furniture and record the condition of each piece. Remember, you can also make notes on inventory records. Put your copy of the inventory they take in with your records file.
• Offer water, soda or coffee to the movers.
• Make a thorough inspection of the house -- attic, basement, closets, cupboards, garage and yard -- before the movers leave to be sure nothing important is left behind.
• Try to get a good night's sleep before starting on your journey.
• Keep all shipping documents in your possession during the trip.
• Upon arrival, report to command. Let them know where you'll be staying and what your permanent address will be. Complete any required check-in processing.
• Contact the family center relocation manager and the housing office at your new base for assistance getting settled.

Moving Week:

• Be there to meet the movers at new home. Check off each item on the carrier's inventory list. Check for damage claimed by the carrier by piece and make notes on the spot. You'll need to sign the inventory and the Statement of Accessorial Services Performed (DD619-1). Sign nothing that is blank.
• Make sure pets are secured the day of arrival. Put cats and small dogs in carriers. Tie larger dogs outside if possible.
• Allow older children to help unpack. Arrange care for smaller children and infants.
• Set up the beds first, then the kitchen.
• If household goods are in storage, notify the transportation office of new address and arrange delivery.