TL;DR: For most CONUS military PPM moves, U-Haul is the cheapest option on paper and Penske is close behind with an advertised 15% military discount — but U-Pack and PODS often win once you factor in the value of your time, your back, and the real cost of driving a
Military PCS Blog
Real Adice from Families Who've Been There
TL;DR: The PCS Pay It Forward® blog is the military family's editorial library — hundreds of evergreen guides on buying a home near your next base, PCS planning, veteran benefits, and state-by-state installation intel. Start with our featured reads below, or browse by category to find exactly what you need.
If you just got orders — or you're trying to get ahead of the ones coming — you landed in the right place. This is where 127,000+ military families come before, during, and after their PCS to figure out what their BAH actually buys, whether to sell or rent, which neighborhoods near base fit their family, and how to navigate every curveball the moving process throws. Every article below is written by military spouses and veterans who've done this themselves. No corporate fluff, no generic checklists — just the real advice you'd get from a friend who's PCS'd five times and is willing to tell you the truth.
Need a personalized roadmap for your specific move? Start your free PCS Plan™ — it pairs you with a local ambassador at your next base who knows the housing market, the schools, and the shortcuts. Or if you're thinking about using your VA loan benefit, grab a free VA Home Loan Snapshot to see exactly what your BAH can buy at your next duty station.
Start Here: 8 Essential Reads for Every Military Family
New to the blog? These eight articles answer the questions we hear most from families navigating a PCS — from "can I actually afford to buy?" to "what happens if my movers steal our stuff?" to "does my professional license transfer?" Bookmark what's relevant, share what isn't.
Can I Afford to Buy a Home on My BAH?
The #1 question military families ask before they ever talk to a lender. This guide walks through the actual math — what your BAH covers, how $0 down and no PMI change the equation, and why buying on BAH is more achievable than most families realize.
Should You Sell or Rent Your Home When You PCS?
If you own a home and just got orders, this is one of the most financially consequential decisions of your military career. We break down the real numbers — equity math, rental cash flow, tax implications, and the lifestyle questions most guides skip.
Renting Your Home on Military Orders: Self-Manage or Hire a Property Manager?
Once you've decided to rent, the next decision is who's going to handle it. Self-management saves money but demands time and proximity. A property manager costs 8–12% but protects your sanity from 3,000 miles away. Here's how to decide.
DoD Now Reimburses Troops for Flying In Child Care Help During a PCS Move
A DoD pilot program — active now through September 2027 — reimburses service members up to $1,500 for flying in a family member or trusted caregiver to help with child care during their PCS. Most families don't know this exists. Here's how to claim it.
Can You Transfer Your License When You PCS?
If you hold a professional license — nursing, teaching, real estate, cosmetology, law — federal law now requires your new state to recognize it. This guide explains exactly how to invoke your rights and what to do when a state pushes back.
Stolen During a PCS: What to Do When Movers Take Your Stuff
If items went missing during your military move, you have a clear legal path to reimbursement — but the clock is short and the paperwork is specific. Here's the step-by-step, from filing your DPS claim to escalating when the TSP denies you.
Veteran Benefits Guide: VA Loans, Disability & More
If you've separated from the military and aren't sure which benefits you qualify for, this is the pillar guide — VA home loans, disability compensation, education benefits, healthcare, and the benefits most veterans don't realize they're leaving on the table.
DPS Move Mil: What It Is and How to Use It for Your PCS
Every military move runs through the Defense Personal Property System. This guide explains what DPS is, how to register, how to upload your orders, and how to use the platform to track your shipment and file claims if something goes wrong.
Need more than an article? Start your free PCS Plan™
Every PCS Plan™ comes with a personalized roadmap, a local ambassador at your next base, and access to your installation’s private Facebook community. 100% free, no credit pull, no obligation.
PCS Planning, Moving & Entitlements
The logistics. Weight allowances, DITY/PPM reimbursement math, what to do when movers damage or steal your stuff, which PCS expenses are tax-deductible, and the DoD programs most families don’t know they qualify for.
TL;DR: If you suspect items were stolen during your military PCS move, you have a clear legal path to get reimbursed — but the clock starts the day your household goods are delivered. This guide walks you through exactly what to do, what to document, and how to fight for
TL;DR: PCS orders don’t mean you have to sell your home — but deciding between self-management and a property manager is one of the most important financial calls you’ll make as a military landlord. This guide breaks down both options honestly, plus gives you the exact questions to ask before
VA Home Buying Guides By Military Base
If you’re considering buying at your next duty station, start here. Every guide in this library covers the exact BAH math, neighborhood intel, and market reality for one specific installation — so you know what your benefit buys before you tour a single house.
Buying a Home Near NAS Lemoore: VA Loan Guide
TL;DR: If you have orders to NAS Lemoore, this guide covers BAH purchasing power by pay grade, the five Central Valley communities military families choose most, and what the Lemoore market actually costs after Kings County taxes and California insurance. Before you start touring houses, grab your free VA Home
Buying a Home Near Kirtland AFB: VA Loan Guide
TL;DR: If you have orders to Kirtland AFB, this guide covers BAH purchasing power by pay grade, the five Albuquerque and Rio Rancho neighborhoods military families choose most, and what the Kirtland market actually costs after Bernalillo County property taxes and homeowner’s insurance. Before you start touring houses, grab your
Buying a Home Near Holloman AFB: VA Loan Guide
TL;DR: If you have orders to Holloman AFB, this guide covers BAH purchasing power by pay grade, the four communities military families choose most around Alamogordo, and what the Tularosa Basin market actually costs after taxes and insurance — which, fair warning, is one of the most affordable equations on
Popular Army Base Guides
The Army has the biggest footprint in the U.S. military — and the most PCS volume. These guides cover the Army’s highest-traffic installations: housing, BAH math, schools, and the honest take on each community before you sign a lease.
- Fort Bragg PCS Guide — Fayetteville, NC
- Fort Hood PCS Guide — Killeen, TX
- Fort Leavenworth PCS Guide — Leavenworth, KS
- Fort Meade PCS Guide — Fort Meade, MD
- Fort Huachuca PCS Guide — Sierra Vista, AZ
- Fort Polk PCS Guide — Leesville, LA
Popular Air Force Base Guides
From technical training hubs to headquarters bases and bomber wings, Air Force assignments span the full range of duty station experiences. These guides break down BAH, housing, schools, and what each installation is actually like to live at.
- Lackland AFB PCS Guide — San Antonio, TX (JBSA)
- Wright-Patterson AFB PCS Guide — Dayton, OH
- Nellis-Creech AFB PCS Guide — Las Vegas, NV
- MacDill AFB PCS Guide — Tampa, FL
- Offutt AFB PCS Guide — Bellevue, NE
- Keesler AFB PCS Guide — Biloxi, MS