What is PCS'ing?

In the United States Armed Forces, a Permanent Change of Station (PCS) is the official relocation of an Active Duty military service member, along with any family members living with her or him to a different duty location.

On January 1, 2011 this became the next phase of our lives. Now, we are 25 days away from leaving Europe and we have a HUGE to-do list to accomplish before we can leave.

Here's just a LITTLE of how the process works....

1. You receive your assignment/next duty location on you AKO/ASK (Army Website).
2. Your solider will attend a Levy Brief that will help him to understand the all aspects of a PCS move.
3. Orders SHOULD be received.
4. Appointments begin; Set up the moving of your household goods, ship your vehicle, have your house pre-inspected/final inspection, arrange your flight, arrange for housing once you have "cleared" your house.
5. Your soldier will begins the official out-processing from your current assignment approximately 10 business days prior to flying. Get on a housin wait list only to find out there is a 3-6 month wait....start looking for a house/apartment that is within the rate of your BAH (Basic Housing Allowance).
6. You pre-pack before the movers/packers come (this usually makes for a few trips to the dump and or thrift store), you clean before your pre-inspection, you clean after the movers come.
7. Unaccompanied baggage (if you have time) is packed and picked up.
8. Clear housing and stay with friends for a few night before you head out.

Are you tired yet?

I am. I'm more stressed than anything BECAUSE...
We just got our assignment last TUESDAY and Breezy has NOTHING on his AKO/ASK. Therefore he can not go to a Levy Brief. Therefore he can not get his orders. Therefore we can not make any appointments. Therefore we leave in 25 days and we are already WAY behind. I'm ready to get this show on the road people! Understand this, the Army works on THEIR time not yours/ours.

We did spend most of the morning sorting/repacking/cleaning out our storage unit. All of the boys outgrown/do not fit just yet clothes have been sorted and put into Tupperware, all of our linens (sheets, towels, blankets,rugs, curtains) are washed and packed. Some of Big Boy's toys are packed (puzzles, games). Christmas Decorations are all ready to go.

There is still a lot left to do but I can only do so much in one day. It's especially hard since I am not allowed to lift anything more than 10 pounds (I do hold Brudder..he's 18). I want things packs so-so. I want to be able to locate all of my items. I'm sure I'll be going behind the packers labeling all of the boxes. I'm anal about that kind of stuff unfortunately. We'll see if they are as tolerable as the movers were when we PCS'd from Ft. Rucker in 2006.

Until Tomorrow....Mrs. .B
*We'll be having a Guest Blogger VERY soon...This will be a read you do not want to miss!*