MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, N.C. (April 11, 2013) — The deputy commandant for Installations and Logistics recently released a message reminding service members, civilians and family members about the challenges associated with the rapidly approaching peak moving season.
According to the message, planning, preparation and communication are the keys to executing a successful move. The Cherry Point Distribution Management Office and Relocation Assistance Program personnel are already working to ensure Marines and Sailors here experience seamless transitions to and from the air station during this change in operational tempo.
“I always encourage Marines to come in as soon as they get their web orders and first endorsement from the Installation Personnel Administration Center,” said Sgt. Marneze Davis, the lead personal property entitlement counselor. “Relocation requires proper planning. The moving companies can only move a certain number of people each day; if Marines wait until the last minute, they could run into blackout dates.”
Those who wish to do a government-contracted move should start the planning process four to six weeks in advance, Davis said. During the peak season, move dates may be filled more than a month in advance due to the high volume of requests. Nearly 65 percent of all Department of Defense household goods moves occur between May 15 and Sept. 30, with the two most popular dates being just prior to Memorial Day and two weeks after Independence Day.
“Moving orders and regulations change all the time,” said Davis. “That’s why you want to give yourself enough time to plan your move. Anything could happen and you may have to make alternate arrangements. For a lot of Marines, this is their first time moving, they might be unsure of their options.”
To help ease local service members’ uncertainty about moving, the RAP sponsors a Plan Your Move workshop. The next workshop is scheduled for Wednesday at the Jerry Marvel Training and Education Building from 9 to 11 a.m. Service members are required to take the class before getting their first endorsement from the Installation Personnel Administration Center.
During the two-hour course, Marines and Sailors learn to navigate the moving process from start to finish and receive resource and referral information for job assistance and school programs for transitioning spouses and children.
“The class is beneficial to everyone no matter your rank because the information is always changing,” said Sandy K. Langlois, the relocation assistance program coordinator. Langlois said she hopes senior ranking Marines take the knowledge they gain back to their shops and share it with their Marines.
In addition to the course, RAP offers other classes and seminars and maintains a lending locker filled with basic household necessities incoming and outgoing military members can borrow during transition periods before or after a move.
“We are here to assist and make PCS moves easier and stress-free whether you’re coming here to Cherry Point or outbound to another location,” she said.
Service members are encouraged to consult http://www.move.mil/home.htm for planning tools and information regarding the Department of Defense moving process.