Preparing for a Permanent Change of Station (PCS) is a challenging yet exciting time for military families. Each move is an opportunity for a fresh start, but the process often brings its fair share of stress. With the right strategies and tools, however, you can make your PCS move smoother, more organized, and even enjoyable. Here’s your guide offered by our military families at MustWants to navigate this important transition, packed with a few tips and insights from our military families to yours.

Embrace the PCS Journey with a Plan 📋

When the orders come in, it’s time to shift into planning mode. The first step is to create a comprehensive checklist. You’ll want to list all necessary tasks, such as setting up a moving day, organizing family documentation, and researching your new location. MustWants is actually building several interactive checklists to empower your family experience. 

1. Organizing Documents

Gather all essential paperwork, including medical records, school records, and military documents. Keeping these documents in a portable file organizer ensures they're accessible through the chaos of moving. This keeps your mind clear so you can focus on what really matters—your family.

2. Researching Your New Home

Explore your new community online. MustWants website can facilitate connections with vetted real estate agents familiar with military needs such as suitable schools, local amenities, and community resources that support military families. 🔑 MustWants.com isn’t just for finding homes; it’s a platform dedicated to simplifying your home-buying experience. The visual data maps that include schools, walkability, crime, FEMA Risk, Housing Allowance and more, are all designed to help you better orient yourself to the area. Remember Real Estate Agents cannot discuss Crime or Schools, which does create some challenges in truly understanding an area. By creating an account today and using it to gather insights you strengthen your ability to make smart decisions quickly.

By utilizing modern tools like MustWants, you can turn what might feel impossible into something manageable, whether it’s your first time or nineteenth time.

The Packing Process: Declutter and Organize 📦

Packing for a move can be overwhelming, but it’s also a perfect time to declutter. Take advantage of the move to shed any unnecessary items. Here’s how to tackle packing:

3. Purge Regularly

Before you start packing, sort through your belongings. Donate or sell items you no longer need. Not only will this lighten your load but it will also make unpacking in your new home much easier.

4. Essentials Box

Create a “PCS Essentials Box” containing items you'll need right away—like toiletries, bed sheets, basic kitchenware, maybe some clothes, and important devices. This box should be accessible during your trip since you might not want to rummage through packed boxes on arrival. Have the kids paint the box or boxes that you know you need in the first 3 nights.  

5. “Never Use” Box

Sometimes there are things you know you, your kids or spouse “never use”, but it might be hard to part with just yet. Place these items in their own box. Mark it, and Move it (if you have the weight allowance), and don’t open it when you get to the next assignment, store it. When you move the next time, if you haven’t opened it, good chance you can donate it. 

Managing the packing process can significantly reduce the anxiety related to moving. Remember, the goal is to simplify your life during this transition.

Preparing Children for the Move: Emotional Support and Practical Steps 🧸

Moving to a new home in a new area can be daunting for children. It’s essential to involve them in the process to make it feel less intimidating. Here are some steps to ease their transition:

6. Discuss the Move

Talk openly about the upcoming move. Share the positive aspects—like new friends and new experiences. Encourage your children to express their feelings about the move, helping them process this change emotionally.

7. School Transfers

Start gathering school records early and investigate schools in your new area. Engaging the help of MustWants Visual Maps can help you understand the schools that meet your family's needs. Engaging on the social media pages also can help orient you to the right schools for your children. Remember Real Estate Agents are legally restricted on what they can say about schools, so ensure you are leveraging the right resources.

8. Connect with Local Families

Utilize online military communities to connect with families in the new area before the move. This helps children feel connected and excited about making new friends, which can ease the anxiety of starting over.

MustWants is building a social media map with trusted, vetted groups and pages to assist you in connecting.

Day of the Move: Quick Tips for a Successful Transition ⚙️

Moving day can be hectic. Having a set plan ensures that you and your family can navigate the day more easily.

9. Confirm Arrangements

Make sure everything is confirmed with your moving company. A door-to-door move is the very best option if possible. A partial do-it-yourself (DITY) can also help you move more efficiently, and is something to think about depending on distance and family plans. It is wise to have a backup plan for sensitive items, like important documents and family heirlooms.  

10. Settling In

Once you arrive, make unpacking easy by starting with the essentials. Settle into one room at a time, and label boxes to streamline the unpacking process.

HINT: Mark the outside of the each box with a LARGE number for each room, and then when you get to your next home, just place the number outside each room. Your movers can then just drop the boxes off in the corresponding numbered room. 

Embrace Your New Community! 🌎

Once you've unpacked and settled, it's time to embrace your new surroundings. Get involved with local events, volunteer, or participate in family activities. Building connections with other military families can enrich your experience and help everyone feel at home faster.

Consider checking out local military support groups or family-oriented activities. At this stage, MustWants can help you identify social groups and family-friendly spots to make settling in a delight.

Conclusion: Moving Forward Together

Your PCS move doesn't have to be a source of stress; with the right planning, it can be an exciting adventure for the entire family. Remember to stay organized, involve your children, and lean on the resources available through MustWants to turn your move into a positive experience.

Ready to transform your PCS experience? Visit MustWants.com and download our app for exclusive tools and insights tailored for military families! Your next adventure awaits!