Is a DITY Move Right for You in 2024?

If you’ve recently received a permanent change of station (PCS), then you’re definitely gearing up to move yourself, your partner, and even your family to a new state or a new country. And while this can be incredibly exciting, it can also be stressful — especially if you need to complete a move in a short period of time. Wondering if a DITY move, or even a partial DITY move, is right for you? Here’s what you need to know to help you decide.

First: What is a DITY move?

This is a type of “do-it-yourself” military move that allows service members and their families to pack up their items, move them to a new location, and then get reimbursed afterward, up to 100% of what your job would have cost the government. This gives you the flexibility to pick a move that fits your needs best and the chance to pocket whatever money is left over.

What Does a DITY Move Entail?

A DITY move (also referred to as a PPM move) allows you to take full control of packing, loading, and transporting your items to your new station. If you make arrangements with your transportation office and apply for this type of move, you can be compensated afterward. Although we’ll get into more detail later in the article, your compensation will be based on the weight of your household items, mileage, gas, service member rank, and number of dependents.
 
Lots of service members like to go this route because it allows them the freedom to choose how they move, whether that’s with a moving truck or with a portable storage container like PODS. There are plenty of advantages to opting for this type of move, including the potential to make some money back in the process. However, it can be a little overwhelming and stressful at times to pack everything up yourself and take it to your new home, which is why we’ve laid out all the steps you need to take for a DITY move. But first, let’s briefly discuss some of the other kinds of moves you can make with the military when you receive a permanent change of station.

A DITY move gives you the opportunity to make money by getting reimbursed for your moving and travel expenses.

Types of Military Moves

Household Goods Move (HHG)

This is the military version of a full-service move. If you don’t want to worry about packing, loading, or arranging your own moving transportation, then you can always go with a household goods move. Your service branch’s moving office will take care of all that and will arrange for military-contracted movers to wrap and pack all the items in your household. They’ll then load everything onto their trucks and drive them to your new home. The best part? They’ll unpack everything, too! This can be very convenient, but you’ll have to stay within weight limits, and there’s always the risk of something getting damaged or broken along the way.

Personally Procured Move (PPM)

This is another name for a DITY move, and it puts you in control of how you pack, what you pack, and how you transport your belongings to your new station. Most importantly, you have the opportunity to make money by getting reimbursed for your moving and travel expenses.

Q: How much will I get paid for a DITY move? A: You will be reimbursed 100 percent of what it would have cost the government to procure an HHG move for you. This is dependent on the mileage you're going and the weight of your items in a truck or storage container. This can also vary depending on the service member’s rank and number of dependents.

Partial DITY Move

Partial DITY moves are becoming more popular with service members. These moves combine the DITY move with the HHG move. It consists of a moving company loading up some items (for instance, large furniture or other heavy items) and taking them to your new location, while you pack up the rest and haul it in your car (or other mode of transportation). The weight allowance will be split between the two types of transportation, and you will still present your moving receipts and be reimbursed for the DITY part of the move.

Pro Tip: Get an estimate of what your move could potentially cost ahead of time with a DITY move calculator. You’ll just need to include details such as your household size and where your new station is, and you can get a basic estimate of what this type of move could cost you.

The primary difference between a PCS move and a PCA is how far you’ll be traveling.

What Is the Difference Between a PCS and a PCA?

A PCS is a permanent change of station, wherein the service member is assigned to another installation, and the assignment typically lasts between 2 and 4 years. This can be a move to a new location in the U.S., or it can be outside the continental U.S. (OCONUS). These assignments require service members to start the moving process and decide which moving option is best for them.
 
A permanent change of assignment (PCA) does not require a DITY move (or any other type of move), and it refers to a change of assignment or unit at the same military installation or a nearby base (within a 50 mile radius).

Are There Differences in DITY Moves Between Service Branches?

If you’re wondering whether there are major differences between an Army DITY move and a Navy DITY move, for example, the answer is not really. Some of the names of offices that you will work with may differ:

• Personal Property/Household Goods Shipping Office (Navy)
• Installation Transportation Office (Army)
• Traffic Management Office (Air Force)
• Distribution Management Office (Marines)

Regardless of the service branch, you will still file the same government forms and get the same rate of reimbursement.

Q: Is a full DITY move worth it? A: If you’re willing to pack and haul your own items, you want to make some money in reimbursement, or you’re short on time, then a full DITY move is worth it.

Step-By-Step Guide to a DITY Move

If you think a DITY move is your best option, we’ve got a checklist for you to follow to ensure you’re prepared, organized, and ready to tackle this move with confidence.

1. Apply for a DITY Move.

Your first step after deciding this is the option you want to go with is to speak with your moving/transportation office at your current installation. You won’t have a moving manager to direct you through the process, so you need to make sure you have a few things with you when you apply. The military needs it on file that you applied for a PPM/DITY move, so step number one is to fill out form DD 2278, which is your application for the move. It also lists out entitlements, responsibilities, and estimated costs.
 
The application form includes a checklist of what you’re required to get to have your request approved. This can include a copy of your PCS orders, rental agreements for trailers or portable storage containers (not required by the Air Force or Army), and the promise to provide weight tickets of the vehicles you’re using to haul your household — both empty and full.

Pro Tip: Even if you’re doing a partial DITY move, you will still need to fill out this form and provide the documentation required to get reimbursement.

Because you will receive reimbursement after the move, you’ll need to plan on having enough money before, during, and after the move to cover your expenses until you receive your money.

2. Stay on Track With a Budget.

Having a budget for any move is important, especially if you’re doing a DITY move or a partial DITY move that requires you to pay for a lot of the cost up front. Because you will receive reimbursement after the move, you’ll need to plan on having enough money before, during, and after the move to cover your expenses until you receive your money. Budgeting correctly will also ensure that you’re able to pay yourself back for all the upfront costs now.
 
It’s helpful to create categories for all the items you expect to spend money on, such as your method of moving things (truck, storage container, etc.), what you expect moving supplies to cost, (boxes, bubble cushioning roll, labels), taxes, gas, tolls, etc. When you know ahead of time what to expect, it helps you to allocate your funds appropriately and avoid surprises along the way. A little wiggle room is a nice bonus, too, because surprises inevitably come up!

Pro Tip: You may be able to apply for an advance of funds or a Dislocation Allowance (DLA) ahead of time to help bear the burden of all the upfront costs. You will need to speak to your transportation/moving office to determine if this pertains to your particular situation..

3. Research and Prepare for the Move.

Now that you know what type of budget you’re working with, it’s time to start researching moving options. Get quotes from a variety of truck/trailer/container rentals (we recommend three to five) so you know what a good estimate should be, and make sure you ask them to include any taxes and fees so you get a more comprehensive amount.

Like to pack and load on your own schedule? Consider looking into a PODS portable storage container. These are popular options with military service members and their families because they don’t have to worry about driving a large moving truck across the country. PODS will come and pick up the container when you’re ready and drive it to your new installation. And did we mention PODS provides a discount for military members?

In addition to finding a moving vehicle, you’ll need to make sure you prepare and organize your home to be packed up. Once you know your weight limit, you can start to go through and decide whether to get rid of items or include them in the packing list. You definitely don’t want to go over the weight limit or run out of room in the truck or container, so it’s helpful to think about how useful each item is and whether or not you can live without it in your new home. You will get paid by the weight, but you want to make sure that each item that is packed is something you genuinely want to bring with you to your next home.
 
Preparing for the move also means ensuring your vehicles are capable of making the trip and you have plans in place for what any pets or children will be doing during the packing and moving process. It’s helpful to create a moving binder specifically for the move, and it can serve as a way to organize checklists, receipts, orders, and other important documents you’ll always want easy access to.

4. Set Packing Goals Based on Your Timeline.

No matter what your timeline is, there is an organized way to get everything packed up safely. Create a checklist of packing goals as far out as you can, whether that’s week by week or day by day, so you can break up the process and make it a lot more manageable. Most folks like to go room by room, determine what can be packed first, and then set aside items that are absolutely necessary up until the last minute.
 
As you get closer to the move date, you’ll want to set aside a box of items for each member of the household that you’ll need on your first night in the new place, such as sheets, towels, toiletries, basic kitchen items, and a clean pair of clothes. This ensures you don’t have to unpack everything to find what you need on your first night.

Pro Tip: Consider borrowing items like cookware, kitchen utensils, or other small appliances from friends or family so you can pack those items up even earlier. Alternatively, you can donate them before you leave and purchase new ones at your next installation.

Think of wrapping delicate glassware or plates with bath towels, bedroom linens, or even out-of-season clothing.

5. Pack Smarter.

While you will need boxes, packing paper, or bubble cushioning roll for some items, you can also pack a lot of your things with items you plan on bringing anyway. Think of wrapping delicate glassware or plates with bath towels, bedroom linens, or even out-of-season clothing. You’re going to need boxes regardless, but you can limit the extra clutter of disposable wraps when you use items you already know will make the trip.

6. Weigh Everything.

You will need to weigh your car(s) and any trailer, truck, or portable storage container when it is empty and when it is full. Your weight tickets will determine how much you are reimbursed for, so it’s essential that they’re accurate and signed by the appropriate authority. You can weigh it at your current installation (both empty and full) or find another weigh station that has a CAT scale. If you choose to make your DITY move with PODS, though? They’ll take care of all the weighing for you!

7. Keep Receipts.

Keep receipts for all the services you used during the move, as well as gas and tolls. These can be stored in your moving binder so you won’t lose or misplace them. You’ll need to turn these in when you’re ready to complete the final step of the process.

8. File Your PPM Claim.

After your successful DITY or partial DITY move, you have a 45-day window to get reimbursed for your PPM move. You’ll need to submit the following items to your transportation office:

• Your PCS travel orders
• DD forms 1351-2 and 2278 approving your DITY move
• Appropriately certified weight tickets for vehicles and trucks/trailers/containers, both empty and full
• The rental agreement with the company you rented the moving vehicle from (if applicable)
• Receipts for moving expenses (this does not include sales tax, meals, or lodging)

Q: How to get reimbursed for a DITY move? A: You will need to file a claim with your branch’s transportation office with all appropriate documents, receipts, and forms within 45 days of your completed move.

A DITY move is completely doable when you follow these steps. The key is to plan ahead, stay organized, and know that you’ll be at your new installation in no time.

When you use PODS for your DITY move, you can end up with a lot less stress — and more money in your pocket.

Use PODS To Help With Your DITY Move or DITY Partial Move

When you use PODS for your DITY move, you can end up with a lot less stress — and more money in your pocket (PPM entitlements are equal to 100 percent of what it would cost the military to move you with a full-service moving team). And doing a military move with PODS gives you an entire month’s rental to help you plan your packing accordingly. 

When it’s ready to go, they’ll pick up the container and drive it to your new installation, and they’ll even take care of weight tickets upon request. Need more time before you unpack at your new home? Not a problem! Your portable storage container can always be stored in a secure PODS Storage Center until you’re ready to move everything in. The best part? All active, retired, and veteran service members receive a discount with PODS!