When I say "Take Charge" I mean it.  There are so many military members that have no clue on what the move process is even though they have been threw it.  A few months down the road they find out from speaking to someone else that they missed out on some huge entitlements. Remember it is your responsibility to request all of your benefits and to receive the full value of your entitlements.

First you want to educate your self about the basic relocation reimbursement programs. 

Remember not to listen to rumors when it comes to your allowances.  Allowances change from time to time and even if you are doing research on the internet there are a few .dod sites that are not update and do have the incorrect information.  You need to physically check with the finance office on your installation for the exact amounts.  Just remember that even there you might run into misinformation so book mark this link and read the information prior to your appointment. If you think something is not right then do the research in the Department of Defense, Per Diem, Travel and Transportation Allowance website and the JFTR Portal located there then schedule a follow up appointment. Sometimes those involved either are mislead or don't know that an article has changed. 

Department of Defense | Per Diem, Travel and Transportation Allowance

Dislocation Allowance - DLA

•·        The DLA is intended to help with miscellaneous moving costs. It is paid once per PCS move.

Per Diem Allowance

•·        The Per Diem Allowance is to reimburse you and your family for the costs of meals and lodging when you travel to your new duty station.

Temporary Lodging Expense - TLE

•·        The TLE is to partly reimburse relocating members and families for the cost of meals and lodging incurred when temporary housing is needed

Advance Basic Pay

•·        This is basically an interest-free loan you can get when you make a permanent change of station move.  You normally repay advance basic pay in 12 equal installments. This is not something I would advise.

Monetary Allowance - MALT

•·        The MALT is the amount paid when a member and/or the member's family drive to their new duty station, based on the Official Military Table of Distances.

House Hunting Trip Prior to Move

•·        You may request a permissive TDY for up to 10 days.  There is no transportation or per diem paid, members are not charge for leave.

I have left off any type of dollar amounts for a reason. I feel it is the responsibility of the member to do the research and be prepared at the finance office meeting.

Once you have a copy of your official PCS orders you will want to make an appointment with your transportation office.  The earlier, the greater your chances of moving on the timetable you desire. At this meeting there will be an explanation of your PCS entitlements. You will have to make some decisions on how and who will move you. Full government move or DITY (which needs approval) or a combination of both. We usually do the combination. We are never over our weight allowance for HHG (household goods) so we file a partial Dity to receive compensation on the weight of goods we haul in our POV (personal vehicle).

You many also qualify to use the online 24/7 Smart Web Move internet site and process the schedule of your HHG's online.  Here you can handle the process at home from your computer.  SmartWebMove is currently serving 80% of routine moves from station to station.  However, if you don't qualify or don't want to participate you can just contact your Personal Property Office. 

We have never been eligible for the SmartWebMove probably because we have alwaysbeen transferred from Marine Corps base to Marine Corps base but I know that is now changing and the SWM is handling Marine Corps moves too.

There you have the process. Now it is your responsibility to "Take Charge" and make sure that you and your family receive your full military benefits.  The next article this week will address a moving calendar and some time-lines to help you get organized.

Till then.......Have a Fine Navy Day!!

If you have any questions about real estate in Bremerton Washington, contact Jo Soss with Skyline Properties, Inc. at (360) 990-1433 or visit her personal website Puget Sound Real Estate Today where you will be able to search for homes and find more Bremerton Real Estate information.

Click here for my ONLINE RELOCATION PACKAGE, but make sure to click here to register for the mailed out RELOCATION PACKAGE ,  which includes the Washington State Visitor's Guide (143 pages of information including maps), the 2007-2008 Seattle Visitor's Guide (113 pages), several other brochures and maps of the area. This RELOCATION PACKAGE is jam packed with over 2lbs of outstanding material! Free to you just for the asking!