ARMY PERSONAL PROPERTY SUMMER PEAK SEASON 2022

SENIOR LEADER TOWNHALL PLAYBOOK

Soldiers, civilians, and their Families preparing for a permanent change of station (PCS) move during 

June, July and August (potentially into September) should anticipate unexpected delays in scheduling 

of their household goods move. Soldiers, civilians, and their Families should not move or store their 

household goods prior to receiving PCS orders. Soldiers and civilians need to contact the local 

transportation office as soon as orders are received and keep their Chain of Command informed on 

progress or challenges. Upon receipt of PCS orders, any delay in contacting the local transportation 

office (e.g. waiting 30 days or less for a desired pickup date) may result in non-availability of DoD 

moving companies. 

Fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic has led to DoD moving companies experiencing continued labor 

constraints, port congestions, shortage of warehouses, trucks, equipment and supplies as well as 

increases in material costs. These shortfalls will continue to limit industry capacity, increase missed 

required delivery dates (RDD) and extend lead times for shipment pickups and deliveries up to 4 to 6 

weeks during the summer peak season. 

As of 15 March 2022, Human Resources Command (HRC) provided the total number of Soldiers 

(36,984) with 2022 PCS orders that have report dates during the 2022 summer peak moving season 

months of June, July, and August. In comparison to 2021, this is an increase of 2,897 more PCS 

orders issued with report dates during the 2022 summer peak moving season months of June, July, 

and August. Unless industry labor availability improves significantly, the 2022 summer peak season 

will be even more challenging than 2021 for the movement of household good shipments. 

Army Senior Leaders are aware of these challenges and actively exploring mitigation actions for 

Soldier, civilian, and their Family relocation issues.

Personnel Policy Guidance in Support of Army Wide Preparedness and Response to 

Permanent Change of Station Summer Surge and Transportation Constraints. On 1 February 

2022, HRC issued MILPER Message Number 22-045 which states: “Local Commanders in the 

rank/grade of (COL/06) may approve requests for Soldiers to have report dates to their new duty 

station adjusted up to 30 days early and up to 30 days later than the published report date on orders. 

For Soldiers that are not able to meet the report timeline described above, Military Personnel 

Divisions are authorized to defer Soldiers up to 60 days from their original report date, as long as that 

does not occur 11 August -15 October 2022. This applies to active Soldiers on assignment with 

report dates of 1 February 2022 through 30 September 2022.” 

Tools and Resources:

All Soldiers and civilians can use their Government Travel Credit Card (GTCC) for PCS related travel 

and transportation expenses. GTCC related links: 

https://www.defensetravel.dod.mil/site/govtravelcard.cfm

https://www.defensetravel.dod.mil/Docs/regulations/GTCC.pdf

https://www.defensetravel.dod.mil/Docs/TopTCPMyths.pdf

Soldiers, civilians, and their Families projecting to conduct a personally procured move (PPM) with 

weight tickets should pursue an increase to GTCC limits up to the maximum authorized $25,000

through their Organizational Defense Travel Administrator (ODTA), to preclude upfront out of pocket 

expenses. 

Soldiers civilians, and their Families without a GTCC who will conduct a personally procured move 

(PPM) with weight tickets should process an advance through the transportation office to DFAS 

Rome. 
Soldiers, civilians, and their Families without a GTCC, who receive a non-availability letter (NAL) or 

actual cost reimbursement (ACR) memo from the origin transportation office, should process an 

advance through the origin transportation office to DFAS Rome. 

OCONUS PCS: Overseas Housing Allowance (OHA), Dislocation Allowance (DLA), Temporary 

Lodging Allowance (TLA) is authorized not more than 60 days. A period in addition to that 60 days 

may be authorized/approved when any of the following reasons exist and are beyond the 

member's/dependents' control (See par. 680406.A of the DoD FMR): Non-arrival of HHG; Delay in 

availability of/assignment to Government quarters due to Service requirements;

CONUS PCS: Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH), DLA, and Temporary Lodging Expense (TLE) 

may be authorized up to 10 days, depending on the location of the new PDS. TLE reimbursement 

must not exceed $290 per day. Encourage Soldiers and Families to reserve temporary lodging at the 

Intercontinental Hotel Groups (IHG) lodging facilities on Army installations. These facilities have 

agreed to only charge Soldiers and Families at their Basic Allowance for Housing rate when they are 

forced to remain in temporary lodging due to delays in their personal property shipment and/or 

housing availability.

Useful links: 

Moving Day FAQs https://www.militaryonesource.mil/moving-housing/moving/planning-yourmove/expectations-tips-for-moving-day/

Inconvenience Claims Fact Sheet: 

https://download.militaryonesource.mil/12038/MOS/Factsheets/UpdatedInconvenienceClaimsFactShe

et.pdf

Personal Property Claims Fact Sheet: 

https://download.militaryonesource.mil/12038/MOS/Factsheets/FactSheetPersonalPropertyClaims.pdf

Personal Property Quick Reference Guide:

https://download.militaryonesource.mil/12038/MOS/Factsheets/UpdatedPersonalPropertyQuickRefere

nceGuideHandout.pdf

Scenarios and Options:

SCENARIO ONE: Soldiers, civilians, and their Families with a 30-day or less home sale or 

expiring lease and no DoD moving company assigned:

• Option: The Government picks up the household goods and places into an origin storage 

facility until a DoD moving company can move it forward to destination, with some delays 

expected.

• Option: Soldier or civilian conducts a personally procured move (PPM) with weight tickets

from the residence to a local self-storage facility and receives a non-availability letter (NAL) 

or actual cost reimbursement (ACR) memo from the origin transportation office until the 

Government can schedule a DoD moving company to move it to destination. A NAL or 

ACR memo allows for actual cost reimbursement, which could be greater than normal 

Government contracted rates. 

• Option: Soldier or civilian conducts a personally procured move (PPM) with weight tickets 

at 100% of what the Government would pay a moving company to move all of the 

household goods from origin to destination duty station. Not recommended for OCONUS 

moves. 

• Option: Soldiers or civilians receive a NAL or ACR memo from the origin transportation 

office; to hire a commercial moving company with a minimum of 2 commercial invoice 

estimates.
Note: Soldiers, civilians, and their Families must be wary of “fly-by-night companies” looking to profit 

from desperation moves with adjusting cost estimates by utilizing a commercial mover registered with 

the Federal Government at https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/protect-your-move, in addition to checking the 

Better Business Bureau at https//www.bbb.org. Soldiers, civilians, and their Families must understand 

their rights when obtaining commercial services as they differ from an assigned DoD moving company 

(https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/protect-your-move/consumer-rights)

SCENARIO TWO: Soldiers civilians, and their Families with a short notice report date that 

cannot be extended and no DoD moving company assigned:

• Option: The Government picks up the household goods and places into an origin storage 

facility until a DoD moving company can move it forward to destination, with some delays 

expected.

• Option: Soldier or civilian conducts a personally procured move (PPM) with weight tickets 

from the residence to a local self-storage facility and receives non-availability letter (NAL) 

or actual cost reimbursement (ACR) memo from the origin transportation office until the 

Government can schedule a DoD moving company to move it to destination. A NAL or 

ACR memo allows reimbursement, which could be greater than normal Government 

contracted rates. 

• Option: Soldier or civilian conducts a personally procured move (PPM) with weight tickets 

at 100% of what the Government would pay a moving company to move all of the 

household goods from origin to destination duty station. Not recommended for OCONUS 

moves. 

• Option: Soldiers or civilians receive a NAL or ACR memorandum from the origin 

transportation office; to hire a commercial moving company with a minimum of 2 

commercial invoice estimates.

Note: Soldiers civilians, and their Families must be wary of “fly-by-night companies” looking to profit 

from desperation moves with adjusting cost estimates by utilizing a commercial mover registered with 

the Federal Government at https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/protect-your-move in addition to checking the 

Better Business Bureau at https//www.bbb.org. Soldiers, civilians, and their Families must understand 

their rights when obtaining commercial services as they differ from an assigned DoD moving company 

(https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/protect-your-move/consumer-rights)

SCENARIO THREE: Soldiers civilians, and their Families with a short notice DoD moving 

company cancellation or missed pack and pick up: 

• Option: The Government picks up the household goods and places into an origin storage 

facility until a DoD moving company can move it forward to destination, with some delays 

expected.

• Option: Soldier or civilian conducts a personally procured move (PPM) with weight tickets 

from the residence to a local self-storage facility and receives non-availability letter (NAL) 

or actual cost reimbursement (ACR) memo from the origin transportation office until the 

Government can schedule a DoD moving company to move it to destination. A NAL or 

ACR allows reimbursement which could be significantly higher than normal Government 

contracted rates. 

• Option: Soldier or civilian conducts a personally procured move (PPM) with weight tickets 

at 100% of what the Government would pay a moving company to move all of the 

household goods from origin to destination duty station. Not recommended for OCONUS 

moves. 

• Option: Soldiers or civilians receive a NAL or ACR memorandum from the origin 

transportation office; to hire a commercial moving company with a minimum of 2 

commercial invoice estimates.
• Option: Pursue a 60-day deferment of report date from the Soldier chain of command 

through the MPD to HRC or civilian gaining organization. 

Note: Soldiers civilians, and their Families must be wary of “fly-by-night companies” looking to profit 

from desperation moves with adjusting cost estimates by utilizing a commercial mover registered with 

the Federal Government at https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/protect-your-move in addition to checking the 

Better Business Bureau at https//www.bbb.org. Soldiers, civilians, and their Families must understand 

their rights when obtaining commercial services as they differ from an assigned DoD moving company

(https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/protect-your-move/consumer-rights)

Soldiers, civilians, and their Families should maintain close communication with the local 

transportation office, as it is the first line of support to assist by providing all available options. 

Reporting unsatisfactory performance to the local transportation office will result in punitive actions 

taken against DoD moving companies which fail to meet DOD standards. 

Customer satisfaction surveys are also key sources of information to hold the DoD moving companies 

accountable, however, the survey return rate is historically low (16% in 2020 and 14% in 2021). A 

new third party text based/smart phone accessible survey process will begin in May 2022 with a target 

of a 40% return rate. 

DoD moving company failure to pick up by the scheduled date or deliver by the required delivery date 

will result in payment of inconvenience claims. In 2021, DoD moving companies paid $2.6M in 

inconvenience claims to Soldiers, civilians, and their Families.

The following call centers are available beyond the local transportation office: Army Personal Property 

Call Center (1-800-521-9959) and USTRANSCOM Call Center (1-833-MilMove/1-833-645-6683).

The Army PCS Move, Digital Garrison, and PCS My POV Apps are all available for free download in 

Google Play and Apple Store. The Army PCS Move App has a live chat feature to communicate with 

a live agent at the Army Personal Property Call Center (1-800-521-9959).