MARCH 5, 2019, Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, NC – Upon receiving Permanent Change of Station (PCS) orders there is a list of things that one must do before they’re able to leave, such as checking out of their unit. It’s easy to get consumed in everything that needs to be done at work, which can cause one to forget to make plans to move their personal belongings in their homes as well as themselves and even their pets.
The Distribution Management Office (DMO) on Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune is where a service member or civilian of any branch or other Department of Defense (DoD) agency moving into, within or out of the MCB Camp Lejeune area can receive services such as shipment, receipt, pickup, delivery and storage of all personal property. DMO is also in charge of passenger and pet travel as well.
According to Sgt. Kapree McGowan, non-commissioned officer in charge, Personal Property Move (PPM), DMO, every travel case is entirely different; every service member, family member or DoD civilian has a unique case, meaning that each one needs to be handled differently. However, there are a few basic things that can be done in order to execute their PCS.
Being prepared for the possibility of anything is one way to make things easier when PCS orders are received whether they are expected or not.
Preparing for orders should be done well in advance. Keeping your driver’s license or state identification card up to date, keeping your birth certificate and social security card on hand, ensuring your family has an overseas clearance, as well as having an activated government travel charge card can all make preparation for a PCS or the end of active service (EAS) go smoothly, according to Sgt. Miguel Flores, staff non-commissioned officer in charge, Passenger Travel, DMO.
One of the first decisions that needs to be made when one receive PCS orders or they reach their EAS is how they want themselves, their family, pets and their belongings to travel to their new home. This decision will determine which section of the DMO one will be referred to.
Upon EAS, those who are separating are only allotted enough funds to move back to their home of record or place of enlistment. Service members that are PCSing are allotted enough to move from their current installation to the one listed on their orders; however, each circumstance is entirely different especially when one retires or receives anything other than an honorable discharge according to Timothy Morquecho, personal property supervisor, DMO.
Passenger travel at the DMO is responsible for transporting service members, family members, pets and DoD civilians from their current installation to the destination annotated on their orders.
According to Flores, it is important to speak to passenger travel as soon as one receives orders and the decision is made to fly to their destination, especially those that wish to travel with their pets whether it is inside the continental United States or outside the continental United States because flights are filled fairly quickly, especially during the summer months.
When one decides to move themselves, speaking to the PPM section of DMO is important because they may be able to receive 50 percent of the total cost of their move up front.
After a move is complete and all household items are received, the DMO encourages those that had good or bad experiences to fill out the customer satisfaction survey honestly and thoroughly to ensure that only the best quality companies receive contracts to move DoD personnel.
The DMO encourages everyone to visit https://move.mil/ or https://www.lejeune.marines.mil/Offices-Staff/Distribution-Mgmt/ for more information and videos on ways to prepare themselves for a move.
Story by Cpl. Nikki Morales
Marine Corps Installations East