PCS Season Is Just Around the Corner: What to Do Before the Boxes Come Out

PCS season has a way of sneaking up on even the most seasoned military families. One minute you’re settling into a routine, and the next you’re Googling moving checklists at midnight while wondering where the last set of orders went. If you’re reading this now, you’re already doing the most important thing: thinking ahead.

Whether this is your first PCS or your fifth, a little preparation beforehand can save you stress, money, and more than a few tears later. Here are some practical things to start doing now before the movers arrive and life goes into fast-forward.

1. Start a PCS Command Center (Future You Will Thank You)

Before anything else, create one place where everything PCS-related lives.

This can be:

• A binder

• A dedicated accordion file

• A digital folder (or all three if that’s your style)

  
  

Include:

• Orders (multiple copies)

• IDs, passports, birth certificates

• School records and IEPs (if applicable)

• Medical and dental records

• Housing correspondence

• Moving estimates and contact info

Pro tip: keep this with you—not packed, not checked, not handed to movers.

2. Declutter Early (PCS Is the Best Excuse to Let Things Go)

Every move is a reset. Before you start packing, take time to sort through what no longer serves your family.

Ask yourself:

• Have we used this since the last PCS?

• Is it worth moving and unpacking again?

• Would replacing it be easier than hauling it?

  
  

Donate, sell, or pass along items now, especially bulky toys, outgrown clothes, and duplicate kitchen gear. The less you move, the smoother everything goes.

3. Get Ahead on Medical & School Logistics

Appointments fill fast during PCS season, so don’t wait.

Medical:

• Schedule final appointments (especially dental)

• Request copies of records or ensure digital access

• Refill prescriptions

• Confirm EFMP needs, if applicable

  
  

School:

• Request transcripts and report cards

• Gather immunization records

• Make note of curriculum details if homeschooling

• Ask about withdrawal procedures and timelines

  
  

A little effort now can prevent major delays later.

4. Research the Gaining Command & Community

Once orders are in hand, start learning about your next duty station.

Look into:

• Housing options (on-base vs. off-base)

• Commute times

• Schools and homeschool laws

• Childcare availability

• Medical facilities and Tricare region

• Local support groups and resources

  
  

If you’re moving overseas or to a new region, understanding the culture, cost of living, and daily logistics ahead of time can help ease the transition for everyone.

5. Budget for the “Hidden Costs” of Moving

Even with entitlements, PCS moves come with surprise expenses.

Plan for:

• Temporary lodging

• Pet travel and boarding

• Cleaning costs

• Utility deposits

• Vehicle shipping or maintenance

• Meals on the road

  
  

Set aside a PCS buffer if you can because it reduces stress when the unexpected pops up (and it almost always does).

6. Talk With Your Kids—Early and Often

Children feel PCS changes long before the boxes appear.

Have age-appropriate conversations about:

• Where you’re going

• What will stay the same

• What might feel hard

• What they can help with

Let them grieve what they’re leaving and dream about what’s ahead. Giving kids a voice in the process builds trust and resilience.

7. Take Care of You, Too

PCS season is emotional, even when the move is exciting.

Give yourself permission to:

• Feel overwhelmed

• Ask for help

• Take breaks

• Say no to extra commitments

Community matters during transitions. Reach out to friends, family, and fellow spouses because you’re not meant to do this alone.

PCS season doesn’t have to feel like chaos. With some intentional planning beforehand, you can move from reactive to ready, and step into your next chapter with a little more peace and a lot more confidence.

Wherever you’re headed next, you don’t walk this road alone. As your Ombudsman, I am here to help you navigate the move, one checklist, one conversation, and one deep breath at a time.

You’ve got this.