JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. –
The summer months are here, the children are out of school, and that means we are in the middle of the busiest time of the year when it comes to moving personal property. Whether you just got notified of a Permanent Change of Station, getting ready to retire or separate, or you are about to do a local move and occupy privatized housing on base, the time to start planning is now.
Based on the high volume of moves taking place in the National Capital Region, you must contact the Traffic Management Office and complete your counseling session at least three to four weeks prior to your requested pick-up date in order to increase your chances of getting the pack and pick-up dates you want. This extra time will give the booking office at the Joint Personal Property Shipping Office at Fort Belvoir enough time to schedule your move with a commercial carrier. Military personnel due to PCS, if you do not have your orders by this time, check with the Military Personnel Section to see if you can get a letter in lieu of orders to start the shipping process.
TMO's Top 10 List - Key Tips to Remember:
1. Be flexible.
2. Be proactive; the more you put into your move; the smoother it will go.
3. Contact TMO and complete your counseling at least three to four weeks prior to your move dates.
4. Provide alternate pack and pick-up dates in case your primary dates cannot be booked.
5. Personally Procured Moves (DITY Move) may be another option.
6. Visit http://move.mil and click on "Department of Defense Customer." This is your source for all moving tips, information and customer responsibilities.
7. Most members will now perform self-counseling on line under the new Defense Personal Property Program depending on the shipment type and destination.
8. Spouses are now authorized 500 pounds for professional gear needed for their employment or community support activities, not for commercial products for sale or resale.
9. All government arranged commercial moves are covered under the Full Replacement Value Insurance. With FRV, the provider has the option to either repair the item to the same condition it was in prior to the move, or replace it with a like-value item. If an item is lost or destroyed, the provider must replace it with a like-value item. The FRV provides up to a maximum of $50,000, depending upon the shipment weight and the method of the move.
10. Complete the Customer Satisfaction Survey at the end of your move.
Whether this is your first move or your 10th move, we understand this is a very stressful event in your military career and we are here to help make your personal property move go as easy and smooth as possible. You may contact our office at 301- 981-7520 or 6051, or e-mail us at tmocustomerservice@afncr.af.mil.