PCS to NAS Jacksonville Navy Base | Florida

Understanding what this process entails ensures that you have an easier time when you need to move. This guide will walk you through the nitty-gritty of this vital career step.

What do your PCS orders Mean?

When you're on temporary duty assignments, there's not much hassle about finding a suitable home. Reason being that you'll soon get back home. However, a permanent change of station (PCS) order means you should expect a longer-term assignment. In most instances, these assignments last between two and four years.

Often, these orders indicate where you'll be moving to - expect to move either CONUS or OCONUS. A CONUS move will relocate you inside the continental United States, while the OCONUS move relocates you outside the continental US. OCONUS moves might entail a move to Alaska, Hawaii, or other US territories.

After receiving your orders, remember to scan for important information regarding authorizations and entitlements. Also, make a copy of the orders to ease the military move.

Execute a PCS Move

You'll have three options for executing your PCS to NAS Jacksonville Navy Base move. First, you could opt for a government contract move. In this case, the local Traffic Management Office (TMO) verifies your orders before contracting a commercial moving company to move your stuff.

Alternatively, you could opt for a Personally Procured Move (PPM), where you'll be responsible for packing, shipping, and unpacking your household goods. Often, the government pays 95% of what it would have spent on a commercial mover.

You could also opt for the combination move, where the government covers part of the move while you complete the remaining part.

The government commonly imposes weight restrictions on PCS to NAS Jacksonville Navy Base moves. Your rank and family setup affect these restrictions. If your weight exceeds the set restrictions, prepare to pay for the extra weight. Keep in touch with the local TMO to find updates on weight allowances.

Government Contract Moves

For this move, you must visit your TMO with your orders. Most orders are available online a month or two before your leave. After the meeting, they'll add you to their system and set you up with a commercial carrier.

The carrier should contact you within a week of visiting TMO. If you experience any delays, be sure to reach back to TMO. Your commercial carrier will be your point of contact throughout the move. Set a packing and pick-up date, and keep in touch with the carrier.

Expect a visit from the carrier before the packing date. During this visit, they'll inventory your stuff before deciding how long they'll need to pack your items. On the d-day, the carrier expects you to identify valuable goods and set aside what you'll travel with. Also, separate and identify your service member's professional gear, which won't count for weight allowance.

After the packing date, you could arrange a convenient delivery date. Most movers could store your goods near your new location for up to 45 days. During unloading, ensure that they unpack everything, assemble your furniture, and place it in your preferred rooms.

Personally Procured Moves

Do you fancy completing a do-it-yourself move? Consider opting for a personally procured move (PPM). You become eligible for this move if you:

• Have PCS orders.

• Have a temporary duty assignment.

• Face separation, retirement, or assignment to, from, or between government quarters.

Service members who opt for PPM usually coordinate the move of their household goods. In this case, you won't rely on military moving services for your move. Besides, you'll also take charge of the move's planning and communications. The only downside is that you'll potentially face more stress and potential challenges.

Expect a ninety-five percent reimbursement from the government once you complete the move. Ensure you keep receipts for all expenses. The government reimbursement usually covers the following:

• Renting trucks or trailers.

• Installing tow packages.

• Purchasing boxes and packing material.

• Tolls and weight charges.

The high out-of-pocket costs might require you to request advanced travel payment.

Personally procured moves usually make sense for anyone working on a restricted timeline. Opt for this option if commercial movers might not move you on time. This move is also ideal if you have enough time and resources.

Fortunately, you could combine military moving services with PPMs. You only need to work with moving experts who guide you through this process.

Combination moves

The final option combines the government contract and the personally procured option. With this option, you'll partner with a government-contracted commercial mover to ship part of your stuff, then move whatever remains with the PPM option.

Ensure you keep your receipts. Like the standard PPM, the government could still reimburse the moving expenses. Before reimbursement, the government might ask you to get an empty and full-weight reading of the moving vehicle.

Remember that your weight allowance won't change. Essentially, the sum of the weight of goods that a commercial mover moves and goods you move shouldn't exceed your weight allowance.

The combination move is ideal for service members who have large, expensive items. With this approach, you can gain money if you have a pick-up truck. Also, you could opt for this move if you have expensive items that you'd prefer to move.

Entitlements

After completing the move, you'll receive a couple of entitlements from the government. These entitlements include:

Mileage

You get mileage reimbursement based on the official distance between your old and new duty station. Expect a fixed rate per mile covering driving costs, vehicle wear, and gas.

Per Diem

Often, the government offers a daily sum of about $78 per day to cover food and sundries. Expect 75% of your per diem on your start and end travel days.

Lodging

The government will reimburse you for lodging expenses if you have a multi-day trip over 500 miles. Remember that you'll only receive a certain amount per room based on the area's cost of living.

What if you fail to get a place to live once you reach your duty station? The government lets you stay at the on-base temporary quarters or a hotel. Expect a reimbursement for up to 10 nights. Be sure to remind your moving company that you can't accept delivery.

Dislocation Allowance (DLA)

You'll also receive an allowance that covers the cost of moving your home to a new location. This allowance also covers address forwarding and utility shut-off or start-up fees. The government bases this allowance on your rank and number of dependents.

Typically, you'll need to pay most of these expenses out-of-pocket, hence the need to keep receipts for reimbursement later.

OCONUS moves

Orders to Hawaii, Europe, or Asia often have additional moving considerations. First, a personally procured move won't be an option. Besides, you'll need to complete the move via flight.

This move often resembles a government-procured move. However, the government only moves up to two vehicles. On the other hand, your goods will ship via freight. Your local TMO can help you choose travel itineraries that match your schedule. However, the government will most probably settle for inexpensive tickets.

The chances are that you might need to leverage your temporary lodging entitlement. Be sure to reach out to the base housing office early on. This approach means you can easily choose a home and work with local movers.

Organizing your move

Preparing for your move during times of global uncertainty is vital. Very few people fancy being on the move, especially with the challenges involved. With the proper guidance, you could ease through this process. Organizing the move's logistics and acting fast on your orders would be helpful.

Wondering where you'll begin? The Defense Department is an ideal first stop. You'll find numerous resources that ease your PCS to NAS Jacksonville Navy Base here.

Visit the Military OneSource Moving Your Property page for information about your personal property resources and information. It also contains vital information from the Move.mil website.

Use the Personal Property Customer Service Contacts to know who you'll reach out to if you encounter hurdles. You'll also find the Personal Property resources helpful in easing your move. Learn about essential packing guides and entitlement brochures. The resource also covers FAQs about shipping different household goods. Be sure also to check out the Defense Personal Property System.

If you need a move planner, then Plan My Move should suffice. This tool comes in handy when you create, organize and manage your PCS at NAS Jacksonville Navy Base. Leverage customized checklists and to-do lists.

Are you looking for a personalized experience? Answer questions relevant to your move to create a custom checklist. Stick to the list to streamline the move while increasing move safety.

Regardless of your location, you'll enjoy 24/7 access to Military OneSource. Get organized and settled while leveraging these online tools and resources. Expert moving consultants should help you soar through the move process.

Do you need further guidance? Set up an online chat or call to speak with a moving consultant.

Relocation Assistance and Resources

You could still make the most of other online resources to guide your transition. The available resources are ideal for every step of your move. The Relocation Assistance Program is the perfect place to begin. You'll find information and support necessary for moving and settling at your new station.

The experts will provide pre-departure briefings coupled with newcomer orientations. The resources also provide information about child care, school liaisons, and job opportunities. Remember to use this resource early on to make the most of them.

You could also visit the Military Installations website for more information about military installations. Access information on temporary housing, the surrounding community, check-in processes, and schools. With this resource, you'll also have a simple time exploring your base.

You'll also have a military sponsor who'll walk you through your PCS to NAS Jacksonville Navy Base. Most units assign a service member with a similar rank to help you find your way in your new duty station. Your military sponsor will also likely have a similar family makeup, helping to ease your family in the new station.

PCS House hunting tips

While planning your PCS to NAS Jacksonville Navy Base, you must consider finding a suitable home for your family. The military typically provides up to 10 days as permission leave to allow you to conduct house hunting.

Consider selecting a reputable realtor to help with this process. Keep in mind that the whole process could take several busy days. Therefore, it would be helpful if you scheduled ample, uninterrupted time for this undertaking.

Your realtor could provide detailed local street maps to guide your decision-making. Research on schools, commute, and other family concerns. Ensure that you prioritize your areas of interest before your arrival. While planning your house-hunting trip, ask your realtor to assist you in arranging childcare in your new locality.

During the trip, be sure to bring the following:

• A pre-approval letter from a reputable lender.

• W-2 forms for the past two years.

• Your two most recent pay stubs (Include your spouse's pay stubs).

• Your checkbook.

• A general power of attorney if one spouse cannot make the trip.

• A camera to take pictures of the house.

Should you live Off Base?

After receiving your PCS to NAS Jacksonville Navy Base orders, you must decide whether you'll live on or off base. A lot of factors come to play while you consider this decision. However, you'll enjoy multiple benefits if you live off base.

Living on base means giving the housing contractor your monthly basic housing allowance. Living off base gives you a chance to save part of the allowance. You could opt to find a house priced below the allowance.

Living off-base offers extended convenience. You won't have to worry about getting a pass for visitors who're not military family members. Most military bases also have strict rules about items in your yard. Besides, you won't be free to mow your grass as you please.

If you're a pet owner, an off-base rental will ease your stay during the PCS to NAS Jacksonville Navy Base. Most off-base rentals won't have strict rule enforcement. You'll have more control over what you can or cannot do in the yard.

Best Places to Live Around NAS Jacksonville Navy Base

Are you wondering where you'll find an ideal off-base house? Here are the top neighborhoods that can make the perfect home in Jacksonville, Florida.

Northside

Residential development has taken hold in this previously industrial area. Enjoy more proximity to the airport, Huguenot Park, and Jacksonville Zoo. Yellowbluff and Oceanway will suit you if you want desirable riverfront living. You'll also find extended convenience to downtown.

Riverside

Make your home on one of the most beautiful streets in Florida. The oak-shaded streets have homes that have stood the test of time. Whether you want to stay in a bungalow, Mediterranean-revival gem, or brownstone, Riverside is the place to be.

This neighborhood is only a short commute to downtown. Do you need a place to wind down? Make your way to trendy restaurants, clubs, or funky shops. Enjoy a fun, youthful vibe that eases your assignment.

Orange Park

Orange Park will serve you perfectly if you're looking for reasonably priced houses in more rural settings. Neighborhoods like Doctors Inlet and Fleming Island provide convenient access to great dining spots.

The community has numerous navy families and horse people. You'll have a reasonable commute to the military base while creating your ideal home in undeveloped wooded areas.

San Marco

The Y-shaped intersection of San Marco Boulevard and Atlantic has multiple shops and restaurants. The historic estates and charming mansions add life to the intriguing neighborhood. You'll enjoy an artsy shopping experience at San Marco and great dining spots.

Start Planning Early

Overall, planning for your PCS to NAS Jacksonville Navy Base ensures you have a more effortless experience. Work with experienced movers who can support you throughout this process.