There’s this awkward and strange camping stretch that no one warns you about when you’re preparing for an OCONUS PCS (outside the continental US) move.
You feel so accomplished. The movers have loaded and picked up your HHG and NTS, and you’ve successfully navigated all necessary paperwork.
You’ve booked your plane tickets… but you don’t leave for another two, three, or even four weeks.
Now what?
This is the phase no one warned me about.
It’s a very awkward kind of chaos that happens in military life.
The grungy, empty period between your HHG pickup and your final departure. Nothing feels like home.
It’s the phase where your once comfortable home has now turned into an echo-y, dirty structure. And even though it’s nearly empty, your toddler has lost their favorite toy. Again.
And let’s be honest, it’s the PCS limbo that no one really talks about…
This camping phase, often referred to as the PCS gap, is a strange and uncomfortable experience. It’s that brief window of time when you’ve moved out but still live in your home.
I’ll be honest: This phase is not fun, but it’s completely manageable. The key is expectation management, grace, and having an idea of what to expect.
This post will walk you through what you can expect and important considerations to help you survive this PCS gap.
With some insight and a little bit of planning, this phase will just be a little hiccup before you’re off to your next chapter overseas!
PCS Tip: You may be able to schedule your UAB (Unaccompanied Baggage) for the last couple of days. We chose to ship ours out a week before we moved. Our HHG was picked up about a month before we PCs’d.
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How To Manage The Moving In-Between Phase
Make A Plan For Furniture
Be intentional. You need to plan your living situation before the movers arrive. Otherwise, you’ll be camping with the bare necessities in your own home.
Most, if not all, of your remaining pieces of furniture will likely have been shipped with your HHG or put into the NTS (Non-Temporary Storage).
Some military bases have programs to provide loaner furniture. I really don’t know much about this for stateside, but it’s definitely a consideration.
We took advantage of the military loaner furniture in Germany, and it was extremely uncomfortable. I would have much preferred sleeping on an air mattress rather than a hard bed.
You will need something to sleep on. I strongly suggest an air mattress. You can even purchase an inexpensive foam topper. The foam topper was well worth it.
This is such an uncomfortable phase that finding a little comfort is well-deserved. Get the foam topper.
We also chose to have our son’s Nugget shipped with our UAB instead of the HHG so that we could use it longer.
The Nugget is a selection of large cushions kids use to lounge on or make forts.
PCS Tip: We had so many carry-on and checked items that we gave a friend our air mattress and foam topper.
My son slept in our travel Pack n Play, which we checked on the airplane.
Managing The Living Room
We did not want to keep our sofa, so it was perfect for us to use during this PCS limbo. Two days before we moved, we gave it away.
This is an excellent option if you have worn-out or broken furniture that you no longer want to keep.
PCS Tip: If you are moving overseas, you really, I mean really need to downsize. If you plan on selling some furniture, try to strategically work it out to sell it right before you move.
We also listed a couple of oversized items on Facebook Marketplace. We listed the items for free, and people quickly came and picked them up. Free with pickup.
We ordered and had our LOVESAC sofa delivered right on time to be shipped with our HHG
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Since we had our HHG picked up a month before our move, we decided to keep our TV and sell it the day before our move.
The No Kitchen Life
Camping chairs are a great option paired with a simple foldable table. We also kept my son’s high chair and shipped these items with our UAB.
After the UAB shipment, we had picnics on the floor.
PCS Tip: These folding camping chairs are perfect to use in the living room.
Mentally prepare for the “No Kitchen” Life.
Your dishes, pots, pans, and utensils will all be boxed up and shipped out, leaving your kitchen unstocked.
Purchase Inexpensive Kitchen Items
Look for affordable options for a pot, pan, spatula, can opener, and ladle. If you’re cooking, stick to food that requires the bare necessities.
Meal Plan
Meal planning for simple foods such as salads and sandwiches is a great idea. We did order out a good bit because I was recovering from surgery and had a toddler. But PCS moves are expensive, and eating out does add up.
PCS Tip: We retained some kitchen items that were included with the UAB. We also had some wonderful neighbors who provided us with some meals.
Give yourself permission to use plastic and paper kitchenware
I went to Walmart and purchased paper plates and plastic utensils—it was well worth it. With everything going on and chasing my toddler around, I didn’t want to hand dishes after every use.
These paper products are sanity-savers!
PCS Tip: Dollar Tree is another excellent option for plastic and paper kitchen products
Keep Two Separate Bins for Last-Minute Items
During the OCONUS relocation process, you will encounter various miscellaneous items. Remember that you will have three sets of movers, your personal items to be checked on the airplane, and the miscellaneous items to be given away or thrown out.
It’s so much so, and items are continuously resurfacing.
Have two bins:
A Bin For Last-Minute Catch-All
This is the bin for items you want to keep, such as phone chargers, shoes, dog leashes, or random children’s items.
You’ll want to set this bin up as soon as the HHG is picked up. This will help you stay a little more organized.
A Bin For Unwanted Items
These are the items that should have gone through the decluttering process. Instead of moving them from one room to the next, place them in this bin.
Again, you’ll want to start this as soon as the HHG items are picked up.
It’s surprising how many miscellaneous items show up during this process!
Declutter Before The Movers Arrive:
Keep your PCS Survival Kit Separate
Your PCS kit will be a separate bin or basket that holds all of your important documents, passports, medications, PCS Moving Binder, Chargers, reading glasses, etc.
I strongly suggest that you keep all of these essential items together. They also need to be clearly labeled and placed in an area that is restricted from the movers.
You cannot have these items packed!
PCS Tip: If you have little kids, I strongly recommend that you put some of their favorite items in there as well: a special toy, a lovey, and a couple of extra pacifiers.
Plan For Activities Outside The House
This is such an uncomfortable phase, and being home all day in an empty, weird environment isn’t fun for anybody.
This is especially essential if you have young children.
Spend the afternoons at the parks, playgrounds, movie theater, or go out for a family walk.
You’ll most likely have already shipped your vehicle, but if you need transportation, take a day trip to one of your family’s favorite places.
Taking day trips to favorite locations is a great way to say goodbye.
Get Creative With Time In The House
If you’re stuck in the house, try to get creative with some activities. If you have little kids, they will likely be anxious during this time, and they may sense your anxiety as well.
Keep them distracted and make this process fun.
Plan for some fun, creative activities. Pull out the blankets and camping chairs, and make little forts.
Order pizza and let them enjoy it in their fort. Doing something different, especially something they’ve never been allowed to do, can be so much fun- and you may enjoy it too!
Set Aside The Last Week’s Essentials
You must start preparing these bags before the movers pack up your household goods. You should include personal items as well as items you need for the house.
PCS Tip: Separate your personal essentials in a suitcase and keep all of the household items in a bin or basket.
Here are some of the items I included in my last week’s essentials:
- Clothing items for the duration of your stay, and don’t forget to include items like bathing suits.
- All important medications
- Toilettries
- Paper towels
- Trash bags
- Hands soap
- Chargers
- Toilet Paper
- Basic cleaning items and cleaners
Once you’ve separated and packed these items, place them in a closet or bathroom and label the door with “ DO NOT PACK.”
When you do the walk-through with the movers, be sure to verbally inform them not to open the door and pack any of those items. This is one of my biggest moving day tips!
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PCS Tip: An important consideration is your washer and dryer. The military provides a loaner washer and dryer when moving overseas to Germany. You can choose to store these items and have them packed with your NTS. Alternatively, you can sell them and arrange for pickup on or near your move-out day.
Have a Separate Essentials Bag For Move-Out Day
Plan on checking several suitcases with you on the airplane. You will want all of these items completely packed well before you leave the house.
Keep a smaller suitcase packed with all the essentials and an extra two or three outfits, depending on your itinerary. You don’t want to dig through your large suitcases, unpacking items, because you are searching for something.
Consider your itinerary
Will you be making an extra trip before heading to the airport?
Will you be staying in a hotel?
We drove from North Carolina to Georgia to say goodbye to family and give my husband’s truck to his brother.
Some Last-Day Essentials To Include:
- An extra outfit for everyone (my sons spilled Coke on me on our first flight- as soon as we took off., I had to buy a pair of leggings on our layover)
- Diapers & wipes
- Snacks & water bottles
- Your PCS survival kit
- And the airplane essentials
Give Yourself Grace
This camping phase is hard. There is nothing enjoyable about it. Nothing prepares you for this chaos, and it can feel uncomfortable and overwhelming. Then, if you throw kids into the mix, that makes it so much more complicated!
Have grace on your spouse, your kids, and yourself. You’ll get through it and be on that airplane, flying overseas in no time.
But in the meantime, give yourself that grace.
Additional Tips If You Have Young Kids
Schedule Outings
Schedule outings with a sitter. This is also a great tip for when the movers are boxing and picking up your things. The more time your young children stay out of the house, the more distracted they will be.
When we were busy working on the house, I had my son’s nanny come and take him to the playground.
If you can schedule any playdates for your kids to attend, that would be wonderful and an additional opportunity for them to say goodbye.
Stick To A Schedule
Oye, this one is really tough and may even feel impossible. Little kids need routine. Try your best to keep a resemblance to your regular schedule.
Stick to that bedtime routine as much as possible.
Moving Tip: It’s essential to note that their rooms may seem scarier now that all their belongings are packed away.
Have a Toy and Activity Bag
Set aside some of your children’s favorite smaller toys – remember, you will need to be able to check them on the airplane.
Have fun activities like painting, coloring, and different crafts. If you get the entire family involved in these activities, they can be perfect for family bonding!
Moving With Kids Resources:
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My Final Thoughts On This PCS Gap
This PCS gap isn’t pleasant, and the limbo may even feel like a strange no man’s land—the phase of ending one chapter and beginning the next.
But, here’s the truth. This awkward, messy, unglamorous phase is part of the PCS journey of military life.
IT’s the little stretch of time that holds more resilience and more “we’re doing the best we can” moments than you thought possible.
Eventually, this phase will blur, and many details will fade away. But what you will remember is how you and your family navigated this PCS gap and the memories.
How your kids had the best time with a pizza party on the floor, or the hilarious moment a family member fell out of a camping chair.
These are core memories and are what make this military life so unique.
So have grace. Take it day by day. Because soon enough, this will just be a bridge to your next incredible chapter.
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