Naval Base Kitsap Relocation

Schedule of Events sounds better than organization – RIGHT!?

For a Permanent Change of Station (PCS) relocation, you have three choices on how to move your household goods: commercial movers hired by the military, a DITY (do-it-yourself) move, or a partial DITY move which is a combination of both. I have never done a full DITY move and don’t think I ever would. However, a partial DITY is a very smart choice if you know you won’t be going over your weight limit when the commercial movers package and load your HHGs. You must have permission for a DITY and a partial DITY so don’t assume you can hire a moving van, pack all of your HHG’s and then after you arrive go to the finance office and request reimbursement. It doesn’t work that way. I am sure you knew that, but every year I hear of someone that didn’t know and they were out a ton of money. The military will pay for your move based on the estimated weight of your household items, not to exceed the weight allowance determined by your pay grade.

This is the website you will want to bookmark. MilitaryHOMEFRONT has an amazing relocation section.

MilitaryHOMEFRONT is the central, trusted, up-to-date source for Service members and their families to find information about all DoD Quality of Life programs and services. Whether you live the military lifestyle or support those who do, you’ll find what you need at MilitaryHOMEFRONT.

I am not going to “reinvent the wheel” when it comes to a relocation calendar. I have used the calendar at the “Plan my Move” site of MilitaryHOMEFRONT and it is amazing. You can customize it for you and your family’s situation. I have set it up so that all you have to do is click on their logo here and you will be directed to the Plan My Move section in a new browser.

The next installment of Week One’s articles will be information on the Naval Base Kitsap housing market. I want to introduce you to our neighborhoods, our style of homes and what the real estate market is like here in West Puget Sound on the beautiful Kitsap Peninsula. Whether you want view, water or a nice townhouse we have just what you are dreaming of.

Until then……Have a Fine Navy Day!

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!!