Vetting Military Moving Companies
A Permanent Change of Station (PCS) move can be executed either as a Government-Contracted Move (arranged via the Defense Personal Property System - DPS) or as a Personally Procured Move (PPM/DITY). If you choose a PPM, you must hire a carrier holding an active interstate household goods authority registered with the FMCSA. Using unvetted, unregistered carriers can result in the rejection of your weight tickets and loss of government reimbursement.
How the Personally Procured Move (PPM) Process Works
Under the Personally Procured Move program, the Department of Defense (DoD) incentivizes service members to arrange their own transport. The finance office calculates the "Government Constructive Cost"—the total cost the military would pay their contracted Transportation Service Providers (TSPs) to move your household goods weight over that specific distance.
Service members receive an advance payment or final reimbursement of up to 100% of this constructive cost. By hiring cost-effective, vetted moving companies, many service members are able to relocate for less than the government's allowance, retaining the surplus funds as a relocation bonus. However, this requires meticulous record-keeping, particularly regarding vehicle weighing.
Strict Certified Weight Ticket Requirements
The most common reason military moving claims are delayed or rejected is incorrect weight documentation. You must provide certified weight tickets proving the exact weight of your household cargo:
- Certified Scales: Weight tickets must be printed at an official, certified public scale (such as a CAT Scale) located at a truck stop. Hand-written weight slips are never accepted.
- Empty vs. Full Weight: You must obtain two separate tickets. One ticket showing the empty weight of the truck/trailer with a full tank of fuel and the driver off the scale. A second ticket showing the full weight of the truck/trailer loaded with all your belongings, under the same fuel status.
- Explicit Details: The tickets must show the service member's name, the license plate numbers of the vehicles, and a clear date stamp matching your travel orders.
Joint Travel Regulations Red Flags
Vetted Military PCS Moving Directory
The following carriers hold active FMCSA authority, satisfactory safety histories, and extensive experience providing certified weight tickets for military moves.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I combine a government move and a PPM?
Yes. This is known as a Partial PPM. The government will move your heavy furniture and bulk household goods, while you personally transport valuable items, electronics, and immediate necessities in your personal vehicle or a small rental trailer, getting reimbursed for that specific weight.
What is my professional gear (Pro-Gear) allowance?
Service members are allowed up to 2,000 pounds of professional books, papers, and equipment (PBP&E) that do not count against their rank's total weight allowance. Spouses are also allowed up to 500 pounds of pro-gear if documented correctly.
JTR Weight Allowances (lbs)
Verify your rank's standard weight allowance under current Joint Travel Regulations (JTR) guidelines:
| Grade / Rank | With Dep. | Without Dep. |
|---|---|---|
| O-6 to O-10 | 18,000 | 18,000 |
| O-3 to O-5 | 17,000 | 14,000 |
| W-1 to W-5 | 17,000 | 12,500 |
| E-9 | 17,000 | 13,000 |
| E-7 to E-8 | 14,000 | 11,000 |
| E-5 to E-6 | 11,000 | 8,000 |
| E-1 to E-4 | 8,000 | 5,000 |