I’ve helped enough families through a PCS move to know the paperwork scares people more than the packing does. A DITY move, now officially called a Personally Procured Move (PPM), lets service members handle their own relocation and get reimbursed for it. Orders show up, and suddenly there’s a weight allowance, a move type, and a deadline to sort through.
PCS season brings tight timelines and real financial stakes for military families every single year. Getting the process wrong costs money, time, and unnecessary stress during an already demanding transition.
This guide walks through PCS basics, DITY/PPM rules, weight limits, packing restrictions, reimbursement steps, and a full moving timeline. I’ll cover what trips people up most.
What Is a PCS Move?
A Permanent Change of Station, or PCS, is a military order that relocates a service member to a new duty station. It’s not optional and it’s not temporary. The government issues the order, and the move has to happen within a set window.
I think of PCS as the military version of a corporate relocation, except the rules are far more specific. Every branch follows the Joint Travel Regulations, which govern everything from weight allowances to reimbursement rates. That structure exists to keep moves fair across ranks and family sizes.
PCS vs. Regular Civilian Relocation
A civilian move runs on personal choice and a personal budget. A PCS move runs on orders, government entitlements, and strict documentation requirements.
Civilian movers negotiate price and timeline directly with a moving company. Military families work within Department of Defense weight allowances and government-set reimbursement caps instead. And there’s paperwork tied to nearly every part of it.
Types of PCS Orders
CONUS orders move a service member within the continental United States. OCONUS orders send someone overseas or to Alaska and Hawaii, which usually involves stricter weight limits and different customs rules.
ETS moves happen at the end of a service commitment, moving someone out of military life entirely. Each order type shapes what movers can transport and how reimbursement gets calculated.
Understanding DITY / PPM Moves
DITY stands for “Do It Yourself,” though the official term is now PPM, Personally Procured Move. Same concept, updated name. The service member arranges and executes their own move instead of relying entirely on government-contracted movers.
A PPM move puts you in control of your packing timeline, your moving company choice, and your moving date. That control comes with responsibility. You’re the one tracking weight tickets, receipts, and mileage.
What “DITY” and “PPM” Actually Mean
DITY move and PPM move mean the same thing today. Older service members and even some finance offices still say DITY out of habit.
The PPM structure reimburses you based on what the government would have paid a contracted mover for the same weight and distance. You keep the difference if you move for less than that.
Who Qualifies for a DITY/PPM Move
Anyone with valid PCS orders qualifies for a full or partial PPM move. You don’t need special approval beyond notifying your transportation office.
Reservists and National Guard members qualify under slightly different rules tied to their orders. I always tell people to confirm eligibility with their base transportation office before committing to a moving date.
PCS Weight Allowances & Entitlements
Weight allowances determine how much you can move at government expense. Go over the limit, and you pay the excess out of pocket.
Weight Limits by Rank and Dependents
Weight allowances scale with rank and whether you have dependents. A junior enlisted service member without dependents gets a smaller allowance than a senior officer with a family.
The Defense Travel Management Office publishes current weight tables by pay grade every fiscal year. I recommend pulling your exact number directly from your orders rather than estimating from memory.
What Counts Toward Your Weight Allowance
Furniture, boxes, appliances, and personal belongings all count toward your total weight. Professional packing materials count too, which surprises a lot of first-time movers.
Pro gear for certain military specialties gets excluded from the weight calculation. Vehicles, boats, and anything requiring separate transport arrangements don’t count either.
What You Can and Cannot Pack for a Military Move
This is where most PCS delays actually start. Movers and government weigh stations both enforce strict rules on what travels in a household goods shipment.
Prohibited and Non-Allowable Items
Flammable materials, propane tanks, and aerosol cans never travel in a moving truck. Neither do perishable foods, plants, or anything that can leak, spoil, or combust during transit.
Ammunition falls under this ban too, along with corrosive chemicals like bleach and pool supplies. I’ve seen move days delayed for hours because someone packed a garage shelf without checking it first.
Restricted Items Requiring Special Handling
Firearms move under separate rules and typically travel with the service member rather than in the household goods shipment. Alcohol collections often need special declaration depending on quantity and destination.
Important documents, jewelry, and cash should never go in a shipment at all. Keep those with you through the entire move, no exceptions.
Preparing Electronics, Firearms, and Valuables
Back up electronics before movers arrive, and photograph serial numbers on anything expensive. This protects you if something gets damaged or lost in transit.
Firearms need to be unloaded, cased, and declared according to your specific branch’s regulations. I always suggest confirming the exact firearm transport policy with your transportation office before move day, since it varies by move type and destination.
DITY/PPM Reimbursement and Paperwork
Reimbursement is the part that makes or breaks whether a PPM move actually saves money. Get the paperwork wrong, and the payout shrinks or stalls entirely.
How Reimbursement Is Calculated
The government reimburses you at 100% of what it would have paid a contracted carrier for your weight and distance. Move for less than that cost, and the savings become taxable income in your pocket.
Distance, weight, and current government per-hundredweight rates all factor into the final number. Rates get updated annually, so last year’s estimate won’t match this year’s payout exactly.
Required Weight Tickets and Receipts
Empty weight and loaded weight tickets are non-negotiable. Without both, the transportation office can’t calculate your reimbursement at all.
Save every receipt tied to the move: truck rental, packing materials, fuel, tolls. Missing weight tickets are the single most common reason a PPM reimbursement gets delayed or denied.
PCS Moving Timeline: From Orders to Move Day
A good PCS timeline starts the moment orders land, not the week before the move. I’ve watched rushed timelines turn into rushed decisions, and rushed decisions cost money.
8–12 Weeks Before the Move
Notify your transportation office and decide between a full DITY, partial DITY, or government-arranged move. Request quotes from moving companies if you’re handling part of it yourself.
Start sorting belongings now and set aside anything that falls under prohibited or restricted categories. Early sorting prevents a frantic last-minute scramble through the garage.
Final Week and Move Day Checklist
Confirm your empty weight ticket appointment before the truck loads anything. Pack a personal bag with documents, medications, and valuables that travel with you, not the shipment.
Walk through the entire home after loading to catch anything left behind. Photograph the empty rooms too, in case a damage claim comes up later.
Choosing Between Full DITY, Partial DITY, and Government-Arranged Moves
A full DITY move means you handle everything yourself, packing included. A partial DITY splits the work, with movers handling part of the shipment while you manage the rest.
Government-arranged moves hand the entire process to a contracted carrier, which trades control for convenience. I tell families to pick based on schedule flexibility and comfort with paperwork, not just the potential payout.
Common PCS Moving Mistakes to Avoid
Underestimating weight is the mistake I see most, and it’s an expensive one. Go over your allowance and the excess weight bill falls entirely on you.
Skipping the empty weight ticket is a close second. Without it, there’s no baseline to calculate reimbursement against, and the whole claim gets stuck.
Packing prohibited items without checking the list first causes real move-day delays too. A single propane tank in the garage can hold up loading for the entire truck.
How Professional Movers Support a Smooth PCS Move
We handle PPM and full-service PCS moves at Asher Movers Local & Long Distance every season, and the pattern is always the same. Families who bring in professional support early avoid most of the weight and paperwork headaches entirely.
Our crews know what belongs on a weight ticket and what doesn’t belong in the truck at all. That experience turns a stressful PCS timeline into a manageable one, whether you’re doing a full DITY or need help with part of the load.
Conclusion
PCS and DITY moves come down to weight limits, packing rules, and paperwork timed correctly. Understanding entitlements and restrictions protects both your reimbursement and your move-day schedule.
Military relocation doesn’t have to feel like a second job on top of your orders. Preparation now prevents delays and disputes later.
We’re ready to help with your next PCS move, whether it’s full DITY or partial support. Reach out to Asher Movers Local & Long Distance and let’s build a moving plan around your orders and your weight allowance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does DITY mean in a military move?
DITY stands for “Do It Yourself” move, now officially called a PPM, or Personally Procured Move. You arrange your own move and get reimbursed for it.
How much weight can I move on a PCS order?
Weight allowances depend on your rank and dependent status. Check your official orders or the Defense Travel Management Office tables for your exact limit.
Can I pack my own boxes for a military move?
Yes, you can pack your own boxes for a PPM move. Movers still weigh everything, so accurate labeling matters for your reimbursement claim.
What items are banned from a PCS shipment?
Flammable materials, propane, ammunition, and perishable food are all banned from household goods shipments. Check the full prohibited list before packing day.
How is DITY move reimbursement calculated?
Reimbursement equals what the government would pay a contracted carrier for your weight and distance. Moving for less than that amount lets you keep the difference.
Do I need weight tickets for a DITY move?
Yes, both empty and loaded weight tickets are required for reimbursement. Missing tickets are the top reason PPM claims get delayed.
Can movers help with a partial DITY move?
Yes, professional movers can handle part of a partial DITY shipment while you manage the rest. This splits the workload without losing the reimbursement benefit entirely.
