News

TMF cools moving concerns as PCS season heats up

  • Published
  • By Holly Birchfield
  • 78 ABW/PA
Robins Air Force Base, Ga. --  Moving is second nature for active-duty Airmen and their families.

Tech. Sgt. Robert Diamond, NCO in charge of quality control in the 78th Logistics Readiness Squadron's Traffic Management Flight, said Airmen and Department of Defense civilians should visit his office as soon as permanent change of station orders are issued.

Early on, Airmen will be expected to complete documentation and determine pick up and delivery dates for their personal property.

On May 1, the Joint Personal Property Office in San Antonio took the lead on oversight of Airmen's PCS process,

"The only thing we're basically doing now is serving as a liaison between the member and the JPPSO to get all of their personal property needs accommodated," said Staff Sgt. Clarence Lee, a quality control inspector in the 78th LRS. "We're basically just briefing members here and we have to fax all of the paperwork to the JPPSO."

Sergeant Lee said Airmen should start their PCS plans sooner than later.

"It's the summer months now and everything's going to start to pick up now," he said. "It's really a high PCS season for everybody Air Force wide and the JPPSO is basically regionalized for pretty much all the bases in the Southeast."

Sergeant Lee said the sooner Airmen meet move requirements, the more likely they're to reach their desired destination without any snags.

Sergeant Diamond said Airmen must choose what move is right for them.

"There are different types of moves," he said. "What used to be called the DITY (do it yourself) move is now the personal procure move. Also, we have the normal government-contracted pick up of household goods for a move, which is typical for domestic and international shipments."

Sergeant Diamond said a 78th LRS member will talk them through their rights in the move.

"In that counseling session, we provide the important information they need to prepare for the actual move, especially if it's a government-contracted move," he said.

Sergeant Diamond said Airmen will learn what's expected of them during their moves.

"We will discuss what the agency will do for you, whether you're civilian or military," he said. "We'll also discuss your actual entitlements, how much you're authorized to move, how much weight allowed and the excess costs that are attached, the claims process, insurance, and things of that nature."

Sergeant Diamond said personal property will receive a separate weight limit from the one set for professional books, paper, and equipment, so the two must be separately packed. Professional gear must be documented before movers finish packing, as such claims must be done before paperwork can be signed or a time of pick up can be set.

Military move weight limits are determined by rank. Civilian weight limits are usually determined by their orders.

Sergeant Lee said excess weight costs will be deducted directly from the Airman's paycheck through military finance.

Communication is essential to making a move go off without a hitch, said Staff Sgt. Shanelle Sapp, inbound personal property clerk.

"The key thing is to let us know as soon as you get in the area because sometimes your actual shipment comes in and we don't have any way to get in contact with you," she said.

Sergeant Sapp said people should provide a cell phone number and an e-mail address in addition to a central contact number.

Sergeant Lee said he gives each Airman he works with his contact information so they can call if problems arise.

"We stress that people can call us if anything goes wrong," he said.