According to the Military Family Advisor Network, military families move on average every three years. A PCS (Permanent Change of Station) in the military often involves a complete household move and requires a long-term assignment or transfer to a new duty station, posing unique challenges for families.
These challenges include, but aren’t limited to, needing a few months to reset after moving due to expenses like security and pet deposits, purchasing new housing supplies, and other logistics like setting up utilities. Non-logistical adjustments during PCS moves can consist of adjusting to a new community’s schools, social connections, and more. Nexus understands the hurdles military families face, and that’s why we can tailor our moving coordination services to make your transition more seamless at every turn.
Below, we’ll highlight exactly how we help reduce the complexity of this process and remain reliable so you can approach your PCS move with confidence and peace of mind.
Household Goods (HHG) Moves vs. Personally Procured Moves (PPM): What Military Families Need to Know
The two main types of military PCS moves are household goods (HHG) moves and personally procured moves (PPM). Military families should know that the government arranges and pays for a contracted company to pack, transport, and deliver your household goods to your new duty station with an HHG move.
Alternatively, a PPM involves arranging the move by renting a truck, hiring a moving company, or transporting your goods personally. The government reimburses you up to what it would have paid its own contractor. Partial PPM consists of you moving some items yourself, while the government moves the rest. Service members interested in receiving qualified support from Nexus would choose a PPM.
Understanding Military PCS: What the Military Covers and What It Doesn’t
Knowing what the military often does and doesn’t pay for during PCS moves helps you avoid surprise expenses that can carry stress.
PCS Weight Allowances
A military PCS moving allowance describes the maximum weight of household goods the government pays for, which is determined by the rank listed on your job/travel orders. Rank increases often translate to higher moving allowances, and staying within this amount is essential since you’ll have to cover any expenses beyond the limit. International PCS moves may have different weight limits or additional entitlements.
Vehicle Shipping
The military generally covers the cost of shipping one of a member’s personal or government-owned vehicles overseas, including military vehicle shipping for assigned tactical. While domestic vehicle shipping is less common and depends on the individual’s circumstances, military vehicle shipping policies may differ based on mission requirements.
Location and rank tend to impact the type of vehicle you can ship, and you may have to pay the costs upfront before later receiving reimbursement.
Pets
Military branches now reimburse members for one dog or cat per PCS order. The Joint Travel Regulations note that service members can receive up to $550 for one pet within the US and up to $2,000 for international PCS moves.
PCS Storage
Like PCS weight allowances, you can have the military store part or all of your household items for the length of your assignment, which also comes with a weight limit.
PCS Travel Per Diems
Military members also receive travel per diems—a fixed daily rate allowance for expenses during travel, such as meals and lodging.
Dislocation Allowance
A PCS dislocation allowance is a flat sum helping offset costs not covered by standard moving allowances, like utility or new household item expenses. After completing a PCS move, you’ll submit a travel claim for your dislocation allowance.
PCS Mileage Rate
As of 2025, military members driving their own vehicles during PCS can receive a 21-cent per mile reimbursement for each authorized car, separate from the travel per diem. This rate is periodically updated but isn’t impacted by factors like rank or the number of travelers.
Nexus for Military Car Shipping: Reliable, Nationwide, and International Solutions
Nexus helps military families organize domestic car transport with open-carrier, enclosed carrier, terminal-to-terminal, and door-to-door shipping options. Most military families book open-carrier shipping through Nexus Auto Transport since it’s the most common and cost-effective transit method. Enclosed shipping protects vehicles from outside elements during transit, but is often used for high-value vehicles. Despite being more expensive than terminal-to-terminal auto transport, families embarking on military PCS moves tend to select door-to-door car shipping for its convenience. Door-to-door vehicle shipping involves a carrier picking up and dropping off your car at locations you select, whereas terminal-to-terminal requires you to pick up your automobile at predesignated locations, like ports.
Military members tend to select roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) or container shipping for international PCS moves. RoRo transport, which involves your car being securely parked on a specialized vessel, is the most common and cost-effective international auto transport method. Container shipping is similar to enclosed transport in that it shields your vehicle from outside elements and costs more than RoRo. However, you can save money by opting for a shared container instead of a sole-use container. Different international destinations have varying car import requirements, but we streamline the organization of this documentation so you can achieve a smooth vehicle pickup.
Nexus Auto Transport fulfills your military PCS move’s car shipping needs by verifying the transport records, insurance, and reliability of any carrier we work with to ensure secure and fast deliveries. We also help track your shipment with a state-of-the-art GPS service and provide military discounts. Call us at 224-218-2949 to talk to one of our car transport specialists, and we’ll give you a good price to show you our appreciation. Before reaching out, try our instant moving cost calculator.
Nexus for Moving Household Goods: Simplifying the Relocation of Your Home
Nexus partners with a network of thoroughly vetted carriers to coordinate domestic and international household PCS moves, ensuring your belongings are handled with care. We help provide flexible packing and storage solutions, including secure temporary storage and options for managing overages if your shipment exceeds military weight allowances. Similar to our automotive transport services, we compare quotes from an array of vetted carriers so you receive the best value and simplest logistics.
Feeling overwhelmed by the distinct requirements of an international PCS move? Nexus manages complex customs requirements and coordinates with experienced international carriers so military families can arrive safely and on schedule. Domestic household moves will involve moving trucks, freight, or professional movers, while international PCS calls for containerized sea freight.
