Military relocation is more than just a move. For service members and their families, a PCS (Permanent Change of Station) often means finding new schools, building new routines, and starting over in an unfamiliar place. It can be one of the most overwhelming transitions in military life.
At PCS Pay It Forward, we believe military relocation services should feel less like a transaction and more like a lifeline. That is why we are doing things differently.
The Origin of PCS Pay It Forward
In 2016, military spouse and co-founder Lauren Taylor identified a major gap in military relocation services. Families arriving for their limited 48-hour house-hunting leave were often ghosted by real estate agents who had no incentive to assist with rentals. Without support or guidance, these families were left to navigate one of the most critical transitions of military life entirely on their own.
Determined to change that, Lauren launched the first PCS Pay It Forward community in San Diego to offer real, judgment-free support. Whether families were renting, buying, or moving into military housing.
Expanding Military Relocation Support
As word spread, members began asking for similar support at their next duty stations. In 2018, Lauren partnered with Air Force veteran Pierre Cook to take the mission nationwide.
ince then, PCS Pay It Forward has helped over 120,000 military families navigate their PCS moves.
“We changed the standard for military relocation services by focusing on all service members, not just the small percentage looking to buy. We redefined what relocation support should be—personal, trusted, and grounded in community.” — Lauren Taylor
A New Standard for PCS Moves
Military relocation services should never be profit centers for corporations. They should be people-centered, built to meet each family’s evolving needs, timelines, and path forward.
For the first time, military members can experience a truly unified, community-powered PCS. Many now PCS exclusively with PCS Pay It Forward—moving from one support group to the next, finding housing, connecting with their new community, and ultimately turning around to help the next family behind them.
What Makes PCS Pay It Forward Different
Many relocation platforms treat military families as just another business opportunity. They charge real estate agents high referral fees to gain access to clients, regardless of whether the agents have any military experience or cultural understanding. These agents often prioritize home sales, even if buying is not the best option.
At PCS Pay It Forward, we put families first.
Our PCS Ambassadors are all military-connected spouses or veterans. They have experienced PCS moves themselves. They know what it feels like to land in a new city with kids, pets, and no support system. Their guidance comes from real experience, not sales quotas.
Serving Every Military Family
Traditional military relocation services often focus on the 30 percent of military families who buy homes. PCS Pay It Forward is built to serve 100 percent of the community. Whether you are renting, buying, or exploring base housing, we provide support tailored to your situation.
We reduce the need for interim housing. We help families understand their local market. And we empower them with clear, unbiased information so they can make confident decisions.
This is not about pushing families into a particular path. It is about giving them real choices.
Stories from Our PCS Ambassadors
What truly sets PCS Pay It Forward apart is the people behind it. More than half of our Ambassadors have been serving their local communities for over five years. They bring a powerful combination of heart-led service and real-world experience to every interaction.
A 20-year military spouse, became a PCS Ambassador after surviving a Category 5 hurricane and being misled by a trusted realtor. “I decided enough was enough,” she said. “I wanted to make sure every family feels at home before they even arrive.
— John Doe
An Air Force veteran, supports families at the Pentagon, Bolling-Anacostia, and Quantico. After transitioning out of the military, he found new purpose in service. “It was a way to join a family and serve a known community in tangible ways.”
— Sean Rotbart
Our Ambassadors reflect the soul of our mission—bringing true service back into an industry that too often prioritizes sales and profits over people
More Than a Transaction
Our mission is not just about getting families into homes. It is about restoring dignity to the process of military relocation.
Monica Smith, 15 year military spouse, recalled how former brokers told her to “work the base” for easy leads. “It felt transactional and gross,” she said. “With PCS Pay It Forward, I was finally able to combine real estate with a greater purpose.”
Our ambassadors do not see military families as business. They see them as neighbors and fellow service members. Their goal is not to earn a commission. It is to help families feel safe, supported, and confident.
Why This Matters for Military Relocation Services
The stakes of a PCS move are high. When families are poorly served, the consequences ripple into finances, education, health, and well-being.
PCS Pay It Forward addresses those gaps by providing:
- Personalized relocation support
- Military-specific housing insights
- Honest guidance from trusted ambassadors
- Help for buyers, renters, and those choosing base housing
We take pride in setting a new standard for military relocation services—one where no family is left behind.
A Community That Lifts One Another
PCS Pay It Forward is not just a resource. It is a community. Families receive help, then often return to offer help to others. It is a full-circle model of support, powered by people who understand what it means to serve.
That spirit of paying it forward is what has driven real change in this space. Our model has influenced how other companies now approach military relocation. It is a very different landscape in 2025 than it was in 2016, and PCS Pay It Forward played a key role in raising the bar for the benefit of our military members.
Final thoughts on Paying-it-Forward
Military relocation services should be about more than logistics. They should be about people. PCS Pay It Forward is proud to stand with military families at every stage of their journey, offering real support from those who have lived it.
If you are preparing for a PCS move, know this: you do not have to do it alone. Whether you are buying, renting, or just trying to find your footing in a new town, we are here for you.
👉 Find your PCS Pay It Forward group today and connect with a local ambassador.
