MilitarySpot.com

Serving the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard and National Guard

Follow MilitarySpot:
 
  • Home
  • Enlist
    • Join The Army
    • Join The Navy
    • Join The Air Force
    • Join The Marines
    • Join The Coast Guard
    • Join The National Guard
    • ASVAB
    • Army Physical Fitness Test
    • Military Draft
    • Prior Service Army Enlistment
  • Career
    • Join the Military
    • Jobs for Military and Civilians
    • Career Center
    • Prior Service Army Enlistment
    • Criminal Justice
  • Education
    • Online Schools
    • Spouse Education Benefits
    • GI Bill
    • Military Schools
    • Criminal Justice
  • Benefits
    • Army Benefits
    • Navy Benefits
    • Air Force Benefits
    • Marine Corps Benefits
    • National Guard Benefits
    • Coast Guard Benefits
    • Veteran Benefits
    • Basic Pay Rates
    • Allowances
    • Special & Incentive Pay
    • Military Spouse Education Benefits
    • VA Education Benefits
    • GI Bill
  • News
    • Headline News
  • Finance
    • Debt Relief
    • Military Pay Rates
    • Military Personal Loans
    • VA Loans
    • Military Star Card
    • Military MyPay
  • Spouses
    • School Finder
    • Scholarships & Grants
    • PCS, DITY, & Moving
    • Pay Rates
    • MyCAA
    • Education Benefits
  • Community
    • Military Games
    • Military Reunions
    • Classifieds
    • Photo Gallery
    • Buddy Finder
    • MilitarySpot Pinups
    • Military Bases
  • Resources
    • Military Alphabet
    • Military Reunions
    • Military Acronyms
    • Currency Converter
    • Military Tools
    • Ranks
    • Military Time
    • Military Tactics
    • Military Discounts
    • Military Games
    • Military Videos
    • Photo Gallery
    • Infographics
    • How To
  • Travel

Pros and Cons of a DITY Move

When you Permanent Change of Station (PCS), the military allows you to do a DITY move, which stands for “do it yourself”. In this type of move, you will be responsible for arranging the moving truck, packing your belongings, transporting your belongings and unloading your belongings. While some prefer to let the military handle it all for them, others prefer to be in charge of their own household goods.

Pros:

  1. It is possible to make money on a military move. If you can keep your costs low, your reimbursement from the military based on weight and distance could be much more than you actually paid. It’s important to get an estimate from the transportation office of what you will be reimbursed. If you go over, you lose.
  2. You are always in charge of your own belongings. You won’t be sending them off with unknown people or companies. And generally you are more responsible and careful with your own belongings.
  3. The move will be done on your timetable. You won’t have to wait for movers to be available to pack, load or unload.

Cons:

  1. It is not uncommon to end up having to pay out of pocket for a DITY move if it is not carefully managed.
  2. You must weigh the moving truck without belongings and weigh it again with belongings at a weigh station that can certify the weight. If the closest weigh station is a great distance, this can be an inconvenience.
  3. There can be some advances made for moving expenses but it is likely some will have to be paid out of pocket and you will have to wait for reimbursement.
  4. If you have two vehicles, one vehicle will have to be towed or have other arrangements made for it to get to the final destination.

When PCS orders arrive, it is important to carefully consider the pros and cons of moving yourself. While many can make money with a DITY move, there are also cons involved in going this route. Remember, it isn’t a free check. You are being paid because you are doing the work. Will you have enough help on both ends of the move to load and unload boxes? Is it worth the possible income in order to be able to move your own belongings?

The answers will be different for everyone. The transportation office can help with the decision as well as estimating the possible costs and reimbursement involved in the move.

Comments

Filed Under: Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marines, National Guard, Navy, Resources, Travel

  • News
  • Enlist
  • Education
  • Career
  • Finance

Space Force Makes Warrior Games Debut

JULY 15, 2025 – Colorado Springs, a city that serves as the vital hub for space operations, is playing host to a different kind of mission this year: the Department of Defense Warrior Games. And for the first time, Guardians are among the nearly 200 wounded, ill and injured athletes competing in 11 adaptive sports […]

Air National Guard Unveils New Bonus Program

MARCH 11, 2023 – On March 1st, the Air National Guard (ANG) launched a new bonus program to attract and retain personnel in critical specialties. The initiative offers significant financial rewards, with bonuses of up to $90,000 for eligible members, depending on their Air Force Specialty Codes (AFSCs). This strategic move aims to strengthen the […]

Education Benefits Make Stronger Service Members

APRIL 3, 2025 – Within the armed forces, a variety of educational benefits are available that allow service members to both improve themselves and make themselves more valuable to their service branch. One example is the Military Tuition Assistance Program. The program is available to enlisted personnel, officers and warrant officers in the Army, Navy, […]

Former Soldier Navigates Job Hunt

NOVEMBER 19, 2024 — In early 2017, Michael Quinn endured what he called the worst day in the worst year of his life. Quinn, then a sergeant major and 24-year Army Soldier, had weathered deployments in Iraq, Afghanistan and the Philippines. As an Army counter-intelligence agent, he said he learned to operate under grave circumstances […]

Financial Planning for Military Families

JUNE 25, 2025 – Have you ever wondered how military families manage their finances while dealing with deployments, relocations, and changing pay structures? Financial planning is a vital part of life for families who serve. With unique benefits, challenges, and lifestyle changes, military families must make smart financial decisions that protect their future and help […]

Recent Posts

  • Space Force Makes Warrior Games Debut
  • USS Mount Whitney Returns to Homeport
  • DoD Releases 2024 Civilian Casualties Report
  • Exercise Begins with Record Participation and Enduring Purpose
  • Guard Responds to Multiple Search and Rescue Missions
MAINMENU




SITESEARCH
Can't find something? Try using our site search to dig through our entire site.



Still having trouble? Try the Advanced Search to refine your searches.
NEWSLETTERSUBSCRIBE
Sign Up To Receive Information, Updates and Special Officers from MilitarySpot.com.



Don't miss an issue! Jump in the Newsletter Archives to catch up on previous issues.
FOLLOWMILITARY SPOT

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter & StumbleUpon and more. Keep up with MilitarySpot.com news & updates. We also have an RSS Feed.

Advertise | About | Contact | Feedback | Unsubscribe | DMCA | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use
 
Copyright 2004-2025 Sun Key Publishing. All Rights Reserved.



 
This is not the official recruiting website of the U.S. Military. The site you are on is run by Sun Key Publishing, a private company, and is not endorsed by or affiliated with the U.S. Military.