PCS SEASON · ONE PAGE, THE WHOLE MOVE

The PCS Kit

Every money piece of a permanent change of station on one page: the allowances, the timeline, the calculators, and the discounts that matter for a move. Print it. Fridge it. Execute.

How to use this page: a PCS pays through several separate entitlements, and each one has its own rules and paperwork. This kit links every StandWatch tool and guide that covers a piece of the move, in the order you'll need them. Each page shows its sources; your finance and transportation offices always have the final numbers for your orders.

The money timeline

When	Money moves to make
Orders in hand	Read them twice: your allowances flow from what the orders authorize. Start the housing conversation at the new station and set up a move budget with the Budget tool.
As early as possible	Book the move in DPS through your transportation office (TMO), or price a PPM (you move yourself, the government pays you). The PCS Money Guide walks the government-move vs PPM decision.
Before you drive	Know your authorized travel days and what each pays: the travel-day formula with worked examples, plus mileage (MALT) at the current rate.
Between homes	Temporary lodging is its own allowance with day limits: TLE vs TLA covers which one applies and how to claim it.
At the new station	File travel vouchers fast, watch for the Dislocation Allowance (DLA) to post, and reset the household budget for the new BAH rate.

The allowances, one line each

DLA: a lump sum for setting up the new household. Covered in the PCS Money Guide.
Travel days and per diem: roughly one day per 350 official miles, each day paying per diem. The formula with examples.
MALT: mileage for driving your own vehicle, paid per official mile. Also on the travel-days page.
TLE / TLA: temporary lodging on either end of the move. Side-by-side breakdown.
PPM (DITY): get paid to move yourself. The decision math is in the PCS Money Guide.

The discount stack for a move

These listings in the Discounts Directory earn their keep during a PCS. Terms live on each provider's official page; several need ID.me or SheerID verification, so set that up before you book.

Truck and container movesPenske, Budget Truck Rental, and PODS all carry military offers in the directory. Lodging en routeBest Western lists rates at or below per diem for service members; Hilton and others carry military rates that vary by property. New station utilitiesPhone and internet military offers, because a PCS usually means new bills.

For the family

A move often costs a spouse a paycheck: the Military Spouse Employment Guide covers license transfers, remote-work rights, and the programs that pay for recredentialing.
New state, new rules: the SCRA & MLA Guide covers lease termination rights when orders move you.

REAL NUMBERS, NOT OURS

Your transportation office (TMO) and finance office own the authoritative numbers for your orders.

Military OneSource, free 24/7 help with any part of the move: 800-342-9647

KEEP GOING · FREE STANDWATCH TOOLS

ASK STANDWATCH →Any money question about your move, sources shown The PCS Money Guide → Discounts Directory →

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