Members of the military have two options if they want the government to pay for their permanent change of station (PCS) move. The most popular option is the Household Goods Move (HHG), where you register in the moving system that selects and arranges your move for you. Your other option is the Personally Procured Move (PPM), an increasingly useful program that grants you a lump sum of money to move yourself, your family, and your possessions to your next duty station.
American Van Lines agents are extremely familiar with the PPM program. We work to include all the features for which you’re approved within your government-imposed budget. Visit your base Transportation Officer (TO) to plan your PPM once you’ve received orders. You can’t apply for your PPM until your papers come through. In addition to shipping goods to any of the twelve joint military bases in the country, American Van Lines can transfer your goods to any military installation run by the:
- Army
- Navy
- Air Force
- Marines
- Coast Guard.
Do-It-Yourself Relocation: What is a Personally Procured Move (PPM)?
American Van Lines is registered in the Defense Personal Property System (DPS), where you go to find an HHG mover. When we’re selected as your preferred HHG shipped, the appointment happens without our intervention. The DPS system automatically matches approved commercial movers with potential clients. There’s no way for either the shipper (you) or the carrier (us) to influence the DPS selection process.
With a PPM, you’re completely in charge. You can rent a UHaul and move your goods or find another similar option. Or you can choose a commercial moving company to handle the entire process. Your weight limit, or the amount of goods the military will pay to move, is based on your rate or rank. You’ll work with your base Transportation Officer (TO) to craft a commercial relocation that comes close to an HHG package in terms of cost and services.
Move Efficiently with American Van Lines to Any CONUS Military Base
American Van Lines can help you apply for an account for your active-duty PPM. Our knowledgeable sales agents provide you with the cost estimate you need for your PPM application. We use incredibly accurate moving software to estimate the weight of each item on your moving list for your application. If you’re near one of our local service areas, we can send a representative to your home to view your possessions in person.
The software estimate is just for pricing purposes. We’ll determine the exact weight of your goods by weighing the moving van twice at an official weigh station – once before we add your goods and again after we add them. The total weight of your goods is the second weight ticket minus the first weight ticket. You’ll get copies of both weight tickets so you can send them in as part of your reimbursement claim.
Civilian Employees of the Department of Defense are Eligible for PPMs
Did you know that civilians who work for the Department of Defense (DOD) can use the PPM program to move to their next assignment? PPM payments for civilian DOD workers are slightly different than for active-duty military members. Civilians are paid the Commuted Rate, a rate schedule set by the General Services Administration. Military PPMs are made at the Government Constructed Cost (GCC), or what the government would pay to relocate your goods.
In general, civilians pay less toward their moving costs than active-duty service members. You might have to chip in a little bit more to secure your PPM move from a commercial carrier. Your weight allowance is calculated the same as in the military, where your GS status determines your civilian PPM funds that can be used for transportation, packing, unpacking, crating, drayage, and storage.
Retired Military Members: Use Your Final PPM for Your Retirement Move
Another great way to employ your PPM allocation is for your final relocation to your retirement home after you leave the service. The government pays for your retirement move as long as you use your PPM funds within one year of your separation date. Qualify for your PPM before you retire, and then take your time adjusting to your new civilian life. If you plan on selling your home and traveling, ask your base TO if you qualify for 90 days of temporary storage for your personal goods.
Florida and South Carolina are favorite locations for military retirees because neither state taxes military pensions. People like to retire to North Carolina because the cost of living is low and the military bases are plentiful. The Washington, DC, area is another favorite. Though expensive, the DC area is equipped with some of the top military healthcare opportunities in the world. Finally, more than 50,000 retired veterans live in the Hampton Roads region because of the plethora of military bases.
Work with a Military Moving Company That Understands Your PPM Needs
Most PPMs begin with the Application for Do It Yourself Move. American Van Lines can provide you with the cost estimate you need to complete that form. When you request reimbursement for the expenses you incur, you’ll most likely need to fill out and submit the Travel Voucher and Sub-Voucher form, along with your completed PPM checklist. Check our military moving page for specific requirements from each service.
American Van Lines knows how to gain access to your base. We send moving crews that are pre-vetted so they can work on a military installation. As a company, we’re cleared with the DOD to make HHG pickups and deliveries. We’re fully licensed and registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Commission (FMSA) and the State of Florida Department of Agriculture. We’ve been headquartered in Pompano Beach, FL, since 1995, operating under the same management the entire time. For a military mover you can trust, contact American Van Lines.
