What You Need to Know About a PPM PCS
Here is what you need to know about a Personally Procured Move (PPM)
When you get PCS orders, if you are moving CONUS to CONUS, you may be allowed the option of doing a full military PCS or choosing to move yourself by doing it yourself via a Personally Procured Move.
With a full military move, you set up a time for a contractor moving company to come to your home, pack up your belongings and deliver them to your new home. This is a great option for some military families, where you don’t have to worry about the move’s details. For overseas moves, this is the only option.
Some military families choose a PPM move, formerly known as a do-it-yourself or DITY move. As the name implies, it’s a do-it-yourself move with PCS orders, but you would be the one to pack and unpack, transport your belongings, or hire your own moving company.
It’s not an option open to all troops, and the process can be challenging if you are unfamiliar with how it works. We examine some of the most important points below.
Why do a PPM?
Most families like to do a PPM PCS for a couple of reasons. Doing the move this way gives you more control over your belongings. This is especially important if you have a lot of family heirlooms or irreplaceable items. A PPM also gives you the control you might not have with a full military move.
For a PPM, you can rent portable moving and storage containers, such as PODS. You can rent a truck or a trailer or use your own vehicle. You can hire a commercial moving company and ship things through USPS, FedEx, and UPS.
The reimbursement amount for a PPM is based on the weight of your household goods, and you can’t exceed your authorized weight entitlement. The 100% will be based on the government’s constructed “best value” cost for the move.
What is an Actual Cost Reimbursement PPM?
This type of PPM is for when government transportation is not available. If you are approved for a PPM, you will be reimbursed for the actual cost of your move.
What is the PPM process?
The first thing to do is get approval from your local Travel Office (TO). The required paperwork is listed on the dfas.mil website. After that, you would need to sort out the equipment and/or find your moving company if you are going with one.
You will need empty and full-weight tickets from a certified weigh station for every part of your move. You should also purchase insurance in case of any losses or damages. You may be liable for loss or damages during a PPM move. Check the most current regulations for the most up-to-date guidance.
The last step is to submit all of your paperwork for the final settlement within 45 days of starting your move. Keep each receipt, as you will need them for this part. Once everything has been processed, you will receive your payment.
What is a partial PPM?
This is when you transport a portion of your household goods yourself and allow the military to move the rest. It is a good idea for when you have certain items you want to take with you and move yourself but don’t want to do the full move on your own.
What if I have more questions?
Military OneSource has many resources on PCSing and planning your move.
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About the author
Julie Provost is a freelance writer, and blogger. She lives in Tennessee with her National Guard husband and three boys.
