PCS Reform: DoD Announces Personal Property Activity
The federal government has created a permanent military PCS move agency to oversee the process for relocating military troops and families who receive orders to new military bases, both stateside and overseas. The DoD Personal Property Activity is the latest attempt at PCs reform after years of failures.
PCS Reform: DoD Announces Personal Property Activity
The Department of Defense has struggled to modernize its global permanent change-of-station process for many years. In 2021, the Department of Defense began an effort to reform military household goods moves stateside and overseas following many complaints about damaged and delayed household goods and an overall lack of quality of service.
Part of the DoD’s reform plans included merging the entire DoD household goods program so that a single contractor could administer it rather than relying on multiple regional contractors. This did not work as planned. Some called it a complete failure. So much so that the DoD cancelled its program and resumed using the old, inefficient “legacy” PCS system again.
Canceled Contract
The multibillion-dollar single-contract deal was cancelled in June 2025, leaving thousands of families with a faltering system during peak moving season. During this time, there were troubling reports of service members paying thousands of dollars out of pocket to move themselves when scheduled PCS contractors never arrived.
To resolve these systemic failures, the Secretary of Defense announced the creation of the Personal Property Activity on Jan. 23, 2026. This permanent organization, also known as PPA, was created to centralize oversight of every household goods move. Whether it will actually succeed in doing so remains to be seen.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Personal Property Activity?
The Personal Property Activity is a permanent Department of Defense organization designed to manage military relocations, replacing the temporary task force created in 2025. Headquartered at Scott Air Force Base, the PPA reports directly to the Secretary of Defense.
When did the new system start?
The organization was scheduled to open for business on an official basis on May 1, 2026. The Department of Defense will transition all functional moving modules into the new system over time.
What technology will the PPA use?
The PPA is designed to use a cloud-based platform called MilMove. This software allows service members to book moves, track shipments in real time, and complete virtual inspections via a mobile application. This replaces aging legacy systems that caused many data errors in previous years.
Does this improve financial support for families?
The new policy allows for reimbursement rates up to 130% in specific circumstances. This increase helps cover the rising out-of-pocket costs families face during a Permanent Change of Station (PCS). The PPA also plans to streamline the claims process to ensure faster compensation for damaged goods, but at press time, these are concepts only.
PCS Checklist Under PPA Guidelines
Use this checklist to navigate your move under the new Department of Defense standards:
Preparation (60 to 90 Days Out)
- Review Your Orders. Confirm your report date.
- Create a PCS Binder. Store physical copies of orders, birth certificates, and vehicle titles.
- Download the MilMove App. Set up your profile, start your initial move application.
- Schedule a Virtual Survey. Use the app to show movers your household goods and request a weight estimate.
Documentation (30 to 60 Days Out)
- Inventory High Value Items. Take photos and videos of electronics, jewelry, and heirlooms.
- Separate Pro Gear. Identify professional books, papers, and equipment that do not count against the PCS weight limit.
- Mark “Do Not Pack” Areas. Set aside uniforms, medications, and important documents.
Execution (Move Week)
- Supervise the Packers.
- Check the Inventory. Do not sign the inventory sheet until you verify every item and its condition.
- File Immediate Notices. If you notice damage during delivery, report it immediately through the MilMove app.
Settlement (Post Move)
- Submit Your Travel Voucher. Complete your claim within five business days of arrival at your new station.
- Finalize Damage Claims. Use the PPA process to request compensation for any items broken or lost during transit.
Timeline of PCS Reform Issues: 2020 to Present
2020: The COVID 19 pandemic causes an 82% decrease in moves, creating a backlog and labor shortages in the moving industry.
2021 to 2023: Rising freight costs and staffing gaps cause record high damage claims and missed deliveries.
2024: The Department of Defense begins the Global Household Goods Contract to consolidate moving services under one private contractor.
2025: The Department of Defense cancels its PCS contract after widespread service failures. A temporary PCS task force is formed but a government shutdown delays 2,100 shipments, highlighting the need for a permanent organization with independent authority.
2026: The Secretary of Defense announces the Personal Property Activity (PPA) at Scott Air Force Base.
About the author
Editor-in-Chief Joe Wallace is a 13-year veteran of the United States Air Force and a former reporter/editor for Air Force Television News and the Pentagon Channel. His freelance work includes contract work for Motorola, VALoans.com, and Credit Karma. He is co-founder of Dim Art House in Springfield, Illinois, and spends his non-writing time as an abstract painter, independent publisher, and occasional filmmaker.
