What is a PPM (formerly DITY) and how to do it

A Personally Procured Move (PPM), also known as a DITY move, is a do-it-yourself military move where you take charge of packing, transporting, and unpacking your belongings, or hire a commercial moving company, instead of using government-provided moving services. This allows service members to manage their relocation independently and potentially earn money by minimizing expenses.

How to do a PPM

Understanding how a PPM works is essential for maximizing your earnings and ensuring a smooth move. Here are the key steps on how to do a DITY move:

1. Plan Your Move: Decide on the logistics, including renting a truck, gathering packing materials, and planning your route.

2. Minimize Expenses: Use recycled packing materials, consider borrowing or renting a trailer, and try to handle as much of the move yourself as possible.

3. Track Expenses: Keep all receipts related to your move, as these will be important for calculating your PPM move reimbursement.

4. Obtain Weight Tickets: You'll need certified PPM weight tickets for your vehicle both loaded and unloaded to document the weight of your belongings.

5. Submit Necessary Forms: Complete and submit DD Form 2278, the application and counseling checklist for a PPM.

6. Get Reimbursed: You will receive an allowance based on the weight of your moved items and the distance traveled, covering moving-related expenses. Any leftover funds after covering these costs become taxable income.

How to Do a Partial PPM

A partial DITY move allows you to move some of your belongings yourself while the government handles the rest. This option offers flexibility and can result in additional reimbursement. Here's how to approach a partial PPM:

1. Determine What to Move: Decide which items you will move yourself and which will be handled by government movers.

2. Weigh Your Items: Ensure you get separate PPM weight tickets for the items you move yourself. Typically this would be the weight of your vehicle empty and the weight of your vehicle loaded.

3. Document Everything: Keep detailed records and receipts for all expenses related to your move.

4. Submit Weight Tickets and Forms: Follow the same procedure as a full PPM for reimbursement based on the weight of the items you moved.

PCS Entitlements

When undertaking a PCS, whether through a PPM or a traditional military-managed move, you are entitled to various allowances:

- Temporary Lodging: Covers expenses for stays within the continental U.S. (TLE) and outside it (TLA).

- Monetary Allowance in Lieu of Transportation (MALT): Mileage compensation for travel within the continental U.S.

- Per Diem: Daily allowances for travel days, applicable for both self-driven and government-arranged travels.

- Dislocation Allowance: Helps with miscellaneous moving costs, nearly universal for all moves.

Additionally, military spouses who own their own business can receive up to $1,000 for moving expenses related to their business.

PPM Reimbursement and Weight Ticket Requirements

For PPM move reimbursement, it is crucial to submit PPM weight tickets that document the weight of your goods. These tickets are official records of the weight of your belongings before and after the move. Understanding PPM weight ticket requirements, including obtaining certified weight tickets for the vehicle both loaded and unloaded, is vital. Compliance with Army PPM weight ticket requirements ensures proper documentation and reimbursement.

By understanding what a PPM move is and how a PPM works, you can make informed decisions and potentially benefit financially from managing your move. At Truevana, we're dedicated to assisting military families through the PCS process, offering expert guidance and resources for a seamless relocation.

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