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Have you just received your Permanent Change of Station (PCS) orders?
Whether you are new to the military or a seasoned spouse, PCSing can be a bit overwhelming, especially with an OCONUS PCS (Outside the continental United States).
The amount of paperwork and tasks to complete can easily cause one to freeze!
Moving stateside is a lot, but moving to Germany was so overwhelming! When we received our soft orders, I had no idea where to start. From the medical screenings and paperwork to the different sets of movers, it felt like an impossible task!
There is so much that needs to get done!
Although this post is mainly geared toward an OCONUS PCS, these tips will be great for those who are moving CONUS (staying stateside).
My biggest advice for preparing for a military move is to stay organized.
One of the best ways to stay organized is to keep a military PCS binder. This moving binder will have everything! It should be the keeper of all things important. I believe having a military PCS binder is essential for an OCONUS PCS.
In this post, I am including my Free PCS Binder Printable. This free printable includes a variety of cover pages for binder templates and lists to help you stay organized!
These printables were my lifesaver for our OCONUS PCS to Germany!
The Military PCS binder
I would strongly suggest that your military PCS binder be a large three-ring binder. Consider one that has a zipper!
I have also used an accordion-style file organizer. The first one was secured with a string. While we were at the Post Office, everything spilled out. It was a humiliating disaster. Needless to say, I switched to a binder with a zipper.
Using both the accordion file organizer and the large zippered three-ring binder, I recommend the zippered binder.
- I recommend the Amazon Basic 3 Ring Binder with Zipper
It is much easier to locate all the various documents, and the zippered compartment provides added security.
I was not going to have another situation in which my personal documents would fall and scatter on the floor!
What to Include in Your Military PCS Binder
Page Tabs and Dividers
These are essential in keeping your moving binder organized! You can download my page dividers to help you get started.
- I love these durable page dividers (Amazon), and use two sets.
Sheet Protectors
These are crucial for important documents you don’t want to use a hole punch through, such as your marriage license, birth certificates, and even medical records for all family members.
The page protectors also serve as an extra layer of protection.
- Sheet protectors (Amazon)
Zipper Pouch
I kept our passports in a zipper pouch inside the binder. When you travel overseas with kids, you will have so much stuff. Keeping everything important together will make traveling so much easier.
The zipper pouch is ideal for keeping passports, Social Security cards, and airline boarding passes together.
PCS Binder Checklist
Organize all of your checklists in the military PCS binder with the page dividers.
Additional Items for your Moving Binder
Have an additional zippered pouch with a couple of pens, paper clips, and a Sharpie. This is especially important when you’re running around trying to get things done and when the movers are packing up your belongings.
This military PCS binder should be a top priority at all times. Keep it in a safe area so it doesn’t get packed during the move!
What categories to include in your PCS binder
This is essentially the categories from my PCSing to Germany checklist. Although my moving binder is for an overseas move, most of the categories and lists can be used for a CONUS PCS move!
Important Documents
I think it’s a good idea to make multiple copies of each document.
- Passports
- Social security cards
- Marriage certificates/divorce decrees
- Birth certificates
- Adoption paperwork
- Living will & Powers of attorney, if you have them
Medical Records
Include these medical records for every family member
- EFMP paperwork (This should be one of the first things to get done once you have received the official orders for an OCONUS PCS; it can take months to complete. Be sure to contact your medical provider immediately to get this process started)
- Immunization records
- Dental records
- DEER/Tricare information
- Glasses and contact prescriptions
- Medical records from your primary provider and any specialist
Tip: I organized the medical records in manila folders and placed them in the back of my PCS binder. This is another reason I suggest a large moving binder with a zipper.
School Records
- Transcripts
- Enrollment forms
You should start researching new schools once you receive orders for your next duty station.
Vehicle Information
- Title
- Registration
- Insurance information and copies of insurance cards
- Vehicle shipment information
Related Post: A Guide to Shipping Your Car Overseas
Animal Information
- Vaccination records
- Certificate of health
Military Information
- PCS orders (several copies of orders)
- Copy of LES (Leave and Earnings Statement)
- Dependent Entry Paperwork (OCONUS)
- Copy of family members’ DOD ID
- Command Sponsorship Paperwork (OCONUS)
Important Contacts
- Such as your sponsor information
Housing Information
This should include both your old and new homes.
- Rental agreement/termination
- Housing landlord information
- Mortgage Information
- Utilities
- Include any temporary housing information if you are traveling OCONUS
Packing and Movers
Moving is a big part of life for military families. No matter how often a service member and his family move, the moving process is always stressful.
If you are preparing to move overseas, you must separate your belongings into different categories: Household goods, Storage, Unaccompanied baggage, and items you are planning on traveling with.
The moving company will likely come on three different days to pack these items.
- You will want to have the moving company’s information
- Copies of all the moving documents and inventory lists from each set of movers
Related Post: Easy tips for packing and moving with a toddler
Travel Information
- Hotel reservations
- Airline information
- Car rental or shuttle service
Timeline Lists
A big part of my preparation for our last PCS was my checklists. You will want to keep a timeline for each month leading up to your PCS
Examples of Things I had on my PCS Checklist to Germany
Two weeks before moving day
- Plan any last-minute visits with family and friends
- Cancel all subscriptions (cable, television, gym etc.)
- Confirm the move with banks and other financial companies
- Confirm any hotel reservations
- Make sure all utilities have an ending date
- Purchase some paper plates and plastic eating utensils
- Make an appointment with a cleaning company to deep clean the house
- Schedule a walk-through with the realtor
- Confirm the delivery date of your vehicle
- If you are shipping your vehicle, be sure to make other arrangements, such as a car rental, if needed.
Moving Week
The movers will likely arrive this week, unless you are relocating overseas.
- Prepare for the movers
- Make arrangements for your kids and pets for when the movers are there
- Confirm that you have copies of all personal records
- Start preparing your carry-on items
- Start shopping for travel snacks and entertainment for your little kids.
- Print out confirmations for all travel documents.
If you are preparing for an overseas move, you have likely been camping on air mattresses, etc. Make a plan of what you would like to do with these items. We gave many of these items away.
- Related Post: Preparing for an OCONUS PCS
- Related Post: How to Deal with the Challenges of Moving Away from Family
- Related Post: Easy Tips for Packing and Moving with a Toddler
- Related Post: A Complete OCONUS Guide for Shipping your Car Overseas
- Related Post: A Military PCS: How to Prepare and Pack for UB, HHG & NTS
My Final Thoughts on the Military PCS Binder
This PCS binder checklist has been so beneficial for every move; I am pretty sure it significantly reduces my anxiety! Having all the essential things together throughout the moving process is so convenient.
Just imagine—if you are moving overseas, it can be several weeks before you receive your household goods! You will want to have all of those documents and inventory logs when they arrive.
Organization is key to surviving a military move, and the military PCS binder is a necessity. I really do hope that my PCS binder printables and cover page for binder templates are an excellent tool for you!
This is an exciting new chapter for you and your family! Please let me know if there are other template topics or something I forgot to add to the PCS binder! I wish you the best on your travels!
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