Choosing a Commercial Mover for a PPM
Embarking on a Personally Procured Move (PPM) involves various decisions, and choosing reputable military movers is a pivotal one. Truevana is dedicated to ensuring your move is not only seamless but also secure. Here's an in-depth look at why selecting the right military movers matters and how Truevana's collaboration safeguards your relocation journey.
The Importance of Choosing Military Movers Wisely
Protection from Rogue Movers: Unfortunately, the moving industry sees its share of rogue movers who present enticingly low initial bids. These operators might later increase prices after picking up your property and, in extreme cases, hold your belongings hostage until additional payment is made. Truevana addresses this concern by working exclusively with military movers licensed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and holding an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau. This ensures transparency, reliability, and fair pricing.
Transparent Pricing Throughout the Process: Truevana's affiliated military movers maintain price integrity from the start to the end of your move. The initial quote you receive is a commitment, eliminating the risk of unforeseen cost escalations.
Secure Handling and Timely Delivery: Our commitment to partnering with reputable military relocation services extends to ensuring the secure handling and timely delivery of your belongings. With Truevana, you can trust that your property will be handled professionally without unnecessary delays or complications.
Steps in the Military Relocation Process
Step 1: Receiving Assignment Notification
Receiving an assignment notification is the first step in the military relocation process. This typically happens through an email, phone call, or a notification from a supervisor. It’s important to understand that an assignment notification does not mean that you have “orders” yet. At this stage, it’s recommended that you start some preparation work, such as researching places to live at your new destination and getting organized for the move.
While waiting for your official orders research your new base on MilitaryINSTALLATIONS, which provides comprehensive information about installations around the world, including contacts for key programs and services, check-in procedures, military and family support services, and local community information.
Step 2: Receiving Your Orders
Your moving process will start with the job/travel orders you receive from your service or agency. These orders are crucial as they contain information describing your rank, the duration of your job/training, and your assigned location, which will determine whether your entire dependent family can come, what you are allowed to bring, and how those items will arrive at your new location.
Verify all administrative details in your orders and ensure they have the correct duty station, dependent information, and reporting dates. If you notice any errors, report them immediately to have them corrected.
Understanding the different types of assignments and destinations is essential. PCS (permanent change of station) assignments last for 20 weeks or more, allowing for a full household goods move. TDY (temporary duty) assignments last over 31 days but generally less than 20 weeks, with only a small portion of your household belongings traveling with you. CONUS moves occur within the 48 contiguous states and the District of Columbia, while OCONUS moves involve Alaska, Hawaii, and international locations.
Step 3: Scheduling Your Move
Once you have your orders, contact your local transportation office to schedule an info/counseling session and discover options for transporting your goods. Using the Defense Personal Property System (DPS) can help streamline this process. Understanding your PCS entitlements, including weight allowances and types of items you can move, will aid in planning. Your local transportation office can provide specific details during your counseling session.
What is a PCS Entitlement?
Understanding the amount and types of items you are allowed to move — generally referred to as your PCS entitlements — is crucial for planning your move. PCS entitlements include the weight allowances for your household goods, as well as additional items you may be allowed to move, such as pets, household appliances, lawn furniture, and TVs. These entitlements help you determine what you can bring to your new location and how it will be transported.
When scheduling your move, you will have choices regarding how your belongings are shipped. Many service members doing a PCS CONUS move split their total allowable weight into multiple shipments, such as a PPM (personally procured move) and a household goods (HHG) shipment using government movers for the bulk of their belongings.
Additional Tips for a Worry-Free Move
Verify Credentials: Utilize the FMCSA's website (https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/protect-your-move/search-mover) to verify the credentials of any potential mover. This valuable resource empowers you to protect yourself from potential issues.
Obtain Multiple Quotes: Truevana recommends obtaining quotes from multiple military movers and carefully comparing them. If an offer seems too good to be true, thorough investigation is essential to ensure the mover's credibility.
Embark on Your PPM Journey with Military Movers Confidently
Embark on your PPM journey confidently with Truevana. Our commitment to partnering with reliable military family relocation services ensures your peace of mind throughout the entire moving process. If you have any questions or need assistance with government movers, military relocation support, or understanding military relocation benefits, feel free to reach out. Happy moving!
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