JULY 20, 2021 – Constantly moving jobs can be stressful. In Europe, the transport offices are assigned to the logistics readiness centers of the 405th Army Field Support Brigade and aligned with each Army garrison in Germany, Italy and the Benelux countries. Knowing how stressful the PCS process can be, they are ready to provide full support to soldiers and families with managing their household shipments, unaccompanied baggage, and other transportation needs.
Nicole Vatcher, transportation specialist at LRC Wiesbaden, 405th AFSB, said that two important elements to supporting soldiers and families and ensuring a successful PCS are knowledge and decisive action.
“This summer was not a classic high-season summer for us,” says Vatcher, “we have hardly any problems with it on our part – inbound or outbound – and we are very happy about that. But it is still very important to always stay informed and act quickly. “
“This summer was not a classic high-season summer for us,” says Nicole Vatcher, transport specialist at LRC Wiesbaden, 405 is very happy about it. But it is still very important to always stay informed and act quickly. “
“As soon as you have your orders, come to the transport as soon as possible,” said Jeffrey Morrison, transport specialist at LRC Rhineland-Palatinate, 405th AFSB. “We do walk-ins and you can either come to the Kleber Kaserne to the in and out processing building or you can come to the Daenner Kaserne tourist office.”
It is unclear how long soldiers and families will have any trouble organizing HHG movements in the United States and elsewhere, Vatcher said, but it is important that soldiers and families are well prepared and expect in advance the possibility of a delay in delivery times.
Immediately upon arriving at the new duty station, Soldiers should sign up for and use the Army Community Service’s lending cabinet and furniture set-up program, if available, Vatcher said. These services are available for arriving soldiers and families in many facilities and garrisons here in Europe and are also offered at other locations, especially overseas. Soldiers and families should contact ACS and their local housing department for more information and to check availability.
In addition, the Army recently announced that it is expanding its PCS reporting window to support soldiers and families doing PCSing this summer. Soldiers who are due to report for a new assignment by September 30th can check in at their new duty station up to 30 days before their planned reporting date and up to 20 days after their reporting date.
“Before you go through your flight arrangements SATO travel, make sure you have booked your appointment to pick up household items. You need to allow ample time to clear the installation, ”said Morrison.
“Before making your flight arrangements through SATO Travel, make sure you have booked your household goods pick-up date. You need to allow enough time to clear the installation, ”said Jeffrey Morrison, transportation specialist at LRC Rhineland-Palatinate, 405th AFSB.
Increasing the size of the PCS report window will help Soldiers and families better plan and schedule their HHG appointment and give them ample time to properly clear their unit and installation prior to departure, Morrison said.
Previously, soldiers had to submit an application to HRC through their chain of command, a process that took up to 60 days for approval. Soldiers can now obtain an extension permit locally through their chain of command within a few days.
Jon Finke, chief of Operations Management Division for Army Human Resources Command, said soldiers would sometimes request a ship date only to learn they would have to wait an additional month for an available moving company.
“You are at the mercy of the movement system, so to speak,” said Finke. “And the army realizes that and tries to work with soldiers and families so they can move, but we have to appreciate what the carriers can do and how they can support us at the same time.”
“We know this year is a bigger challenge than usual and we are working to give our soldiers and families options, resources and flexibility to reduce as much stress as possible,” said General Edward Daly, the US commander Army Materiel Command.
“We know this year is a bigger challenge than usual and we are working to give our soldiers and families options, resources and flexibility to reduce as much stress as possible,” said General Edward Daly, the US commander Army Materiel Command.
Colonel Brad Bane, the commander of the 405th AFSB, said that every garrison and LRC in the US Army in Europe and Africa has the right people to make sure our soldiers and families are well looked after, and the extra measures they take from AMC and the Army will help even more.
If anything unusual happens or suspects a problem, soldiers and families should contact the soldier’s chain of command immediately and contact their local transportation office.
You can also use the new chat feature in the Army PCS Move app to speak to a live transportation specialist to solve unique challenges that arise during the PCS process. Soldiers can download the app with information on permissions, types of relocation, planning, scheduling and damage reports from the Google Play and Apple app stores. Further information can be found at https://move.mil/customer-service. Soldiers can also call a 24-hour hotline for questions about PCS moves at 833-MIL-MOVE.
Regardless of the circumstances, Morrison recommends that soldiers always contact their local transportation office and speak to a trained representative when making an HHG move. They are there to help.
Steps to take:
- Once the orders are placed, visit the installation transportation office. Do not wait.
- Regardless of whether it is the first or the 15th step, use the advice. The local tourist office is the best source for location-specific information.
- If movers cannot be arranged to assist the PCS, speak to the soldier’s chain of command immediately to explore options – this may include changes to reporting deadlines.
- Be patient with the transport office staff. They want to solve problems for you.
- Contact the local tourist office if moving plans change or questions or concerns arise during the PCS process.
Again, once soldiers receive PCS orders, they should go to their local transportation office for help, Morrison said. The website https://dps.move.mil/cust can help you with the first steps and the planning of the next PCS relocations. But remember to always check or call the local tourist office to make sure everything is on time and ready for use.
By Cameron Porter, 405th AFSB Public Affairs Commissioner
