PCS Season 2025: What You Need to Know
Each year, PCS season brings a surge of Permanent Change of Station (PCS) moves across all branches of the U.S. military. Typically peaking between May and August, this busy window is when most service members receive orders and begin their relocation journey. Whether it’s your first PCS move or your fifth, planning ahead can save you stress, time, and money.
In this guide, we’ll walk through the updated realities of moving during PCS season in 2025, including changes to reimbursement rates, new planning tools, and tips for navigating increased demand.
1. Understand Your PCS Move Options
When you receive PCS orders, one of your first decisions will be how to handle your household goods move. There are two main paths:
- Government-Arranged Move: The military selects and pays for a Transportation Service Provider (TSP) to handle everything from packing to delivery. While convenient, you have limited control over timing and service quality.
- Personally Procured Move (PPM): Previously called a DITY move, this allows you to organize the move yourself—using your own vehicle, rental trucks, or hired professionals. In return, you’ll be reimbursed based on the government’s cost estimate for the same move.
In 2025, the DoD increased the reimbursement rate for PPMs to 130% of the government’s cost estimate. This means that with smart planning, you could actually come out ahead financially. Estimate your reimbursement with the PPM Calculator and compare it against potential moving expenses.
2. Book Early – PCS Season Moves Fast
From late spring through summer, the military and civilian moving industries experience a surge in demand. Waiting too long to book your move during PCS season could leave you with few available dates, limited carrier options, and potentially higher costs.
To stay ahead:
- Contact your Transportation Office (TO) or Personal Property Shipping Office (PPSO) as soon as you receive your PCS orders
- Decide early whether you’ll pursue a government move or a PPM
- Research options through platforms like uShip, where you can post your move and receive bids from professional, feedback-rated carriers
Booking early ensures that your timeline aligns with your reporting date and that you avoid costly last-minute scrambling.
3. Navigate the GHC Transition and Delays
The Global Household Goods Contract (GHC), a DoD initiative intended to overhaul and centralize military moves under a single commercial provider, was originally awarded to HomeSafe Alliance. However, the program was officially canceled in mid-2025 due to performance and transition issues. While some transitional elements may still linger, service members are now encouraged to proceed with PCS moves under legacy systems or to explore Personally Procured Move (PPM) options for greater control and efficiency.
While the GHC promises long-term improvements, the 2025 rollout has come with hiccups:
- Missed pickup or delivery dates
- Delayed communications from assigned movers
- Confusion around how to use new scheduling platforms and systems
If you’d prefer more predictability and hands-on control, opting for a PPM allows you to sidestep these issues by working directly with a carrier you select and trust. uShip lets you screen and communicate directly with transport providers, which can help reduce miscommunication and frustration.
4. Use Tech Tools to Stay Organized
PCS season is chaotic by nature, but digital tools can help bring order to the process. The Plan My Move tool from Military OneSource lets you create a custom checklist based on your orders, timeline, and family needs.
You can also:
- Prepare forms like DD Form 2278 for PPM approval
- Map out a budget and timeline for your move
- Research housing, schools, and local services at your new duty station
Pair this withuShip to compare moving quotes, schedule your carrier, and track the progress of your shipment—all from one place. Leveraging both government and commercial tools gives you the best of both worlds when planning your move.
5. Maximize Reimbursement and Military Discounts
Getting reimbursed for your PPM requires documentation. To ensure you get the maximum reimbursement allowed, you need to:
- Weigh your vehicle or rental truck before and after loading (using a certified scale)
- Save every receipt for eligible expenses: fuel, tolls, lodging, moving equipment, etc.
- Keep all signed contracts and service agreements from moving companies or carriers
In addition, uShip offers a military discount through ID.me, waiving uShip service fees for verified users. These savings, combined with careful planning, can help you turn your PCS into a cost-neutral or even money-saving move.
TL;DR: PCS Season Tips for 2025
- Keep documents and receipts to ensure full reimbursement
- Book early—May through August gets busy fast
- Consider a PPM to take control and save money
- Use tools like Plan My Move and uShip to stay organized
- Understand delays tied to GHC rollout
