A Mental Checklist To Help You Prepare For A Military Move Overseas
Has your military spouse just given you the news of an OCONUS PCS? Here is a mental checklist to prepare you for a military move overseas.
It can be an overwhelming time with a never-ending list of to-do’s. Although these next few months will be particularly stressful, remember this is an exciting time with a unique lifetime experience.
Depending on your situation, there may be some time before the official orders are received.
So, what can you do during this time to prepare? I have developed a helpful OCONUS PCS checklist to get you started.
Vehicles
What does your car situation look like?
Do you own or lease your vehicle?
Is your vehicle in good condition?
Are you considering shipping your car to Germany?
If you have multiple vehicles, now is an excellent time to consider what you may want to do with your other vehicles because the military will only ship one vehicle.
Parking areas in Germany can be small, so consider that when making your decisions. The car must also be in good condition, inspected, and passed by your OCONUS location.
Related Post: A Complete Guide for Shipping your Vehicle Overseas
Pets
PCSing with pets can be challenging, especially an OCONUS assignment. This is a critical discussion, and it may be an excellent time to start thinking about options if your pet cannot travel.
Here is a great resource for shipping your pets.
Housing
Do you own the home you live in? Start thinking about renting it out or selling it.
Even though you haven’t received your official orders, it’s an excellent time to discuss on post vs off-post housing. If it isn’t decided for you, it can be an important decision based on your and your family’s needs and desires.
Living on the economy can be very challenging, but it also offers a unique experience.
Will you have school-age children? Will you have special needs? Reach out to other military school-age have been stationed there. Write out a list of pros and cons for each.
EFMP (Exceptional Family Member Program)
For an OCONUS PCS, You must undergo an EFMP process. This ensures that wherever you are stationed, you and your family can receive the individual medical treatments needed. Get a copy of ALL medical records, including dental and specialist records.
I recommend requesting two copies of all documents. EFMP will request one, and the other you keep the other in your person. The EFMP process can be timely; it was for us and honestly was one of the more stressful aspects of this entire PCS process.
Official orders won’t be processed until all members of the family are cleared by EFMP. Additionally, you will need to be up to date with all of your health screenings.
I encourage you to go ahead and print these forms to help you get started:
Movers
Start thinking about the moving process, even if it’s a bit down the road. There will be three sets of movers: HHG (household goods), UAB (unaccompanied baggage), and NTS (storage).
It may be an excellent time to start decluttering; even consider donating or selling some items.
Related Posts you NEED to check out:
Easy Tips for Packing and Moving with a Toddler
How to Prepare and Pack for HHG, NTS and UAB
5 Reasons to Downsize before your Move to Germany
Social Media Resources
Start researching Facebook groups for that area. This was a fantastic resource that I utilized. These groups can give you a little taste of the experience of living in that duty station.
Important Documents
Make sure your driver’s license is up to date, and will be throughout the entire duration of the duty station.
If you don’t already have a passport, go ahead and apply for one. If you already have a passport, ensure it is up to date and will be for the entire duration of the duty station. Once you receive the official orders, you will need to apply for an official Passport on post.
COVID
COVID restrictions are lessening. We needed to show our card to leave the United States (July, 2022) and to enter Germany, but have not had to use it since.
Since 2024, we have not had to present our COVID cards to anyone.
Breath!
As I stated earlier, this can be a unique life time experience. I hope you’re excited! These next few months will be fairly stressful but try to take it one step at a time. If you’re already receiving the orders, check on my post the OCONUS PCS Checklist.
I wish you the best of luck!
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