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The 10 Worst Duty Stations

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The 10 Worst Duty Stations

Duty stations are such a popular topic. People always want to know everything about where they are going to PCS or the differences between duty stations. They want to know all about the best duty stations, worst duty stations, and everything in between.

I have thought about making a list of the 10 worst duty stations for a while. I know there are certain places where people just dread going, and maybe for good reason. These places aren’t ideal, especially when you could get stationed at some amazing places.

However, I also strongly believe that you can “bloom where you are stationed” anywhere you might end up. That doesn’t mean you have to love your duty station, but that you don’t have to spend every day hating it, and that there are things to love about every place you might go.

So…what makes something the “worst” duty station? How can you get past that feeling? Well…here you go:

The duty station where your best friend just moved away

Finding your military spouse BFF is the best, but when that happens, something else will too, your best friend will probably have to move away at some point. And if they don’t, you do. And that sucks.

What can you do to help? Stay connected with them, even over the miles. Work to meet new people. And remember all those precious memories you’ve shared.

The duty station far from your family

Being away from family can be difficult for some people, especially if this is your first duty station. But there is something special about being out on your own, and making somewhere new your home. Try not to dwell on feeling homesick so much and work to find a place in your new location.

“You do not have to love your duty station to find something good there.”

The duty station where you can’t find a job

You have worked hard, went to college, and as soon as it was time for you to find a job, your service member spouse gets orders overseas. Now there is no way to find a job in your field. This can be so frustrating.

You can stay behind, but that isn’t an option for most families. You can look and see what volunteer jobs you can get at your new duty station that you can add to your resume. You can think outside the box and try something different, or even work hard to find that ideal job, despite the difficulties of finding one where you are currently living.

The duty station that deploys your spouse too much

One question that comes up a lot is “how often is my spouse going to deploy if we PCS to this duty station,” but that question is hard to answer. The number of times they deploy, how long they are gone, and everything related to deployments depend on many factors.

The best thing to do if your spouse is going to deploy a lot is find a good friend circle, fill up your calendars as much as you can, and know you are not alone in this.

The duty station with awful housing

Sometimes, there is nothing you can do about bad housing at your duty station. You just have to deal with it, and try to make it your own. On the other hand, you might be able to move, either somewhere else on-post or off-post. Check out your options and go from there.

The duty station where you just can’t find your people

You assume that once you move to your new duty station, you will eventually find a fun friend group like the one you had before. But after a couple of months, it seems like you aren’t going to find your people. This is something we military spouses can struggle with.

If you find yourself in this position, make sure you are getting out there on a regular basis and trying to meet new people. Sign up for things you are interested in, take the kids to playgroups, and be friendly with those you meet when you are out and about.

When a Duty Station Feels Hard

Sometimes a duty station feels bad because of the place itself. Other times, it feels hard because of what is happening in your life while you are there.

  • You do not have to love every duty station. Some places are harder than others, and it is okay to admit that.
  • Your experience may be different from someone else’s. One family’s worst duty station might become another family’s favorite.
  • Small things can help. Finding friends, exploring the area, creating routines, and looking for free local events can make a hard place feel more manageable.
  • A bad start does not mean a bad ending. Sometimes the places we dread most surprise us later.

The duty station that seems too expensive

There are a few places you could get stationed that will cost more than other places. This can be frustrating. Housing off-post might seem like too much or you might feel like your family can’t go out and do anything because of the costs.

Make sure you are doing your budget every month, find ways to save, and look for fun free events going on in your community.

The duty station you didn’t think you would end up

Maybe you just assumed you would always stay in the south, but now here you are on an airplane headed to Hawaii. And you are terrified.

Anything out of your comfort zone can be scary, but think of your new duty station as an adventure. Read up on the fun you can have where you are going, or the experiences of people who have lived there. And trust yourself to make the most out of your stay.

“One family’s worst duty station might become another family’s favorite.”

The duty station no one has ever heard of

Sometimes your spouse will get orders to a place no one has ever heard of. These can be smaller duty stations or more specialty-based, and because of that, you can’t find much information on them. If you need to know about Fort Hood or Fort Campbell, there is a ton of information out there, but not so much on a duty station most people have never heard of.

See if you can connect with the FRG (if they have one) or other spouses in your service member’s new unit. If you do have to go in without knowing too much, see what your post or base has available to you to get to know the area. They might have a newcomers class you can join.

The duty station you have been before and didn’t want to return

Maybe you were stationed somewhere for a few years and hated it. Then you left. Now five years have gone by and guess what? Your spouse just received orders to go back. You are filled with dread.

But remember, the duty station you left in 2014 will be different from the one you PCS to today. Duty stations change, people move in and then move away, you could have a completely different experience in the same place. Do not assume that your first time there will be exactly like you second.

What makes or breaks a duty station for you?

Frequently Asked Questions About Bad Duty Stations

What makes a duty station a bad duty station?

A duty station can feel bad for many reasons, including being far from family, struggling to find friends, dealing with expensive housing, not finding a job, frequent deployments, or simply ending up somewhere you never wanted to live.

Can you still enjoy a duty station you did not want?

Yes, sometimes you can. You do not have to love every duty station, but finding small things to enjoy, meeting people, creating routines, and exploring the area can help make a hard place feel more manageable.

What should I do if I cannot make friends at my new duty station?

Give it time and keep trying in small ways. Attend events, join groups, take your kids to activities, volunteer, look for local spouse communities, and remember that finding close friends can take longer than a few weeks or months.

Is every military spouse experience at a duty station the same?

No. One military spouse may love a duty station while another struggles there. Timing, friendships, housing, jobs, deployments, family needs, and personality can all change how a duty station feels.

The 10 Worst Duty Stations

What It Actually Costs to Ship Your Car During a PCS in 2026

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What It Actually Costs to Ship Your Car During a PCS in 2026

How Much Does It Cost to Ship a Car During a PCS?

If you’ve got PCS orders and two vehicles, one problem shows up fast: you can only drive one of them. A spouse flies ahead, the second car won’t make the trip, or you’re headed somewhere a cross-country drive just doesn’t make sense. Shipping the car becomes the obvious fix — but nobody tells you what it actually costs until you’re already stressed and calling around. Here’s the real 2026 picture, minus the sales pitch.

The Short Answer: Typical PCS Car Shipping Costs in 2026

For a standard car moving cross-country (say, Fort Cavazos/Fort Hood, TX to Fort Liberty/Fort Bragg, NC — around 1,200 miles), expect roughly $900–$1,400 on an open carrier in 2026. Shorter regional moves (300–500 miles) usually run $500–$800. Coast-to-coast (2,500+ miles) lands around $1,400–$1,900. Enclosed transport — worth it for a classic or low sports car, overkill for a daily driver — adds 40–60% on top.

What Affects the Cost to Ship a Car?

  • Distance — but not linearly. Longer moves cost more total, but less per mile.
  • Vehicle size — a lifted truck or full-size SUV costs more than a sedan.
  • Open vs enclosed — open is what ~95% of PCS families use; enclosed is premium protection you probably don’t need.
  • Pickup/drop-off location — right on a major interstate is cheap; a remote duty station or rural address costs more.
  • Timing — the big one for military families (below).

Will the Military Pay to Ship Your Car During a PCS?

Sometimes — and this trips up a lot of families. For most OCONUS moves, the government ships one privately owned vehicle for you. For CONUS PCS moves, you’re generally reimbursed for driving (mileage/MALT + per diem), not for shipping — so if you’d rather ship, it’s usually on your dime. Before you pay anyone, confirm your specific entitlement with your TMO / transportation office. Rules vary by move type and change year to year — don’t take a broker’s word for what the military covers.

Before You Ship a Car During a PCS

Shipping a vehicle can make PCS life easier, especially for two-car families, but it is worth slowing down before you book.

  • Confirm your entitlement first. Ask your TMO or transportation office what your specific orders cover before paying out of pocket.
  • Run the real math. Compare shipping costs with gas, hotels, meals, time off work, wear and tear, and plane tickets.
  • Book early during PCS season. Summer moves often mean higher demand, higher prices, and tighter pickup windows.
  • Get more than one quote. A quote that is far lower than the others can be a red flag, not a lucky break.

Should You Ship or Drive Your Second Car?

Driving: MALT + per diem, minus gas, hotels, food, wear on the car, and 2–4 days on I-40. Shipping: the transport quote + a plane ticket for whoever isn’t driving the other car. For a lot of two-car families, once you add a flight and a couple hotel nights to the “drive” column, shipping the second car comes out close to even — and you arrive rested instead of wrecked. Plug your route into a car-shipping cost calculator for a real number before you decide.

Timing is Everything During PCS Season

Peak PCS season (May–August) is also peak demand for auto transport: carriers get picky, prices climb, pickup windows stretch. Two things help:

  1. Book 2–3 weeks out, not two days.
  2. Stay flexible on the pickup date — a 3–4 day window beats “must be Tuesday.”

If your orders land in summer, assume the higher end of those ranges and book early.

How to Avoid Overpaying for PCS Car Shipping

  • Get 3 quotes. A number far below the others isn’t a deal — it’s a lowball to hook you, and the car often sits until they raise it.
  • Know broker vs. carrier. Most companies you call are brokers posting your job to carriers — that’s normal. Don’t pay a large deposit up front; a small booking fee is fine, balance due on delivery.
  • Confirm insurance. Ask for the carrier’s cargo insurance certificate; your personal auto policy usually won’t cover transport damage.
  • Do the inspection. Photograph the car at pickup and delivery and note existing dings on the bill of lading — that paperwork is your only leverage if damage shows up.

Bottom Line for Military Families Shipping a Car

Shipping a car during a PCS in 2026 runs most families $900–$1,400 for a typical cross-country move, more in summer and for bigger vehicles. Confirm what the military covers with your TMO first, get a real estimate for your route, book a couple weeks out, and get three quotes. Do that, and the second car shows up in one piece while you keep your sanity — which, mid-PCS, is worth a lot.

Frequently Asked Questions About Shipping a Car During a PCS

How much does it cost to ship a car during a PCS?

The cost depends on distance, vehicle size, location, timing, and whether you choose open or enclosed transport. For many cross-country moves in 2026, families may see quotes around $900–$1,400 for a standard car on an open carrier, but your exact route can change the price.

Will the military pay to ship my car during a PCS?

It depends on your orders and move type. For many OCONUS moves, the government may pay to ship one privately owned vehicle. For many CONUS moves, families usually drive or pay to ship a vehicle themselves and receive authorized travel allowances instead. Always confirm with your TMO or transportation office.

Is it better to ship or drive a second car during a PCS?

Run the numbers both ways. Driving may be cheaper, but shipping can save time, stress, hotel nights, gas, wear and tear, and the challenge of getting two vehicles across the country.

How can military families avoid overpaying for car shipping?

Get at least three quotes, check whether you are dealing with a broker or carrier, verify registration and insurance, avoid suspiciously low quotes, and take photos during pickup and delivery.

The 15 Stages You Will Experience On Your Next Military PCS to a Brand New Place

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The 15 Stages You Will Experience On Your Next Military PCS to a Brand New Place

These are the stages of a Military PCS

PCS season is around the corner and life is getting quite hectic for quite a few military families. Although it has been a while since our family has gone through a military PCS, I remember the process and how stressful and crazy everything can be.

1. Bored and ready to move

After you have been at your duty station for two or three years, you probably start to feel ready to make a change. You know you are going to be moving this year, you want to know where, and you are ready to start the process.

2. Soft orders, start planning

You hear where you are going to go. If you are happy with this choice, you are worried that will change. If you are not, you are praying it will. You still need to be patient to wait for the physical orders before any of your PCS dreams (or nightmares) can come true.

3. Orders change

Your orders have changed. You assumed you would be spending the next three years in Hawaii, sorry, it’s El Paso. There is still a chance they could change again, but you aren’t holding out much hope. Try to just go with the flow and to not worry too much about the changes until things become set in stone.

4. Hard orders cut, it’s for real

Okay, you are going to this duty station. This is for real. Time to start your planning. You start asking in your local Facebook groups and Google all things about your new duty station. This is an exciting time, but then you start to feel a bit overwhelmed.

5. Stressed out with all you have to do

There is so much to do with a PCS. So many lists to make. So much to get done beyond your everyday lives. Make sure to create some system for everything you have to do and all the paperwork you need. Starting a PCS binder can be a very good idea but you can also just make sure you have a safe place for everything that is easy to take with you on the plane or in your car.

6. Get organized and plan

This is the stage where you decide if you want to live on base or not. If you want to live off, where you should find a house. Should you rent or buy? What about the schools? Take your time and try to relax about this part. There is going to be a lot of information out there and some of it, you can wait until after you are moved to figure it all out. Check out PCSGrades for reviews on different areas near where you will be moving.

7. Movers come, stuff goes

The day has come for the movers to pack up all of your earthly goods. Make sure to get your movers some lunch and offer snacks. They will appreciate it. Don’t pack your trash and make sure anything you want to take with you is safely locked in your car or a room the movers won’t go in.

8. All those last-minute things

It wouldn’t be a PCS without all the last-minute things you will need to do. From cleaning out your home to making sure you have turned in all those library books before you leave. Reward yourself with a Starbucks or a cupcake after you get everything done. And breathe.

9. Saying goodbye

Saying goodbye to friends is the worst. Try to say, “see you later.” Make sure you are connected on Facebook, that is where your friends will now live. Enjoy the last few days you have together and remember, the military is a small world and you could get stationed together again someday.

10. Physically moving

Now it’s time to either leave for the airport or get in your car to drive away from your home for the last 2-4 years. Adventure awaits, and once you reach this step, you start to feel like everything is going to work out. Remember to bring plenty of snacks and make sure you leave time for pee breaks if you are driving, especially if you have small children.

11. Hotel living

We were lucky, and the longest we had to stay in a hotel was a week. Others have to stay in them for much longer to wait for housing. Try to be creative with planning your hotel stay and remember, eventually, you will live in an actual house, with a real kitchen and no hotel keys.

12. Your stuff is here

Yay! Your stuff is here, you have moved into your new home and life is about it get much better. No more sleeping on an air mattress and your son finally gets to play Xbox again.

13. Unpacking hell

Time to unpack and unpack and then spend more time unpacking. Just get it done. All of it. You will be glad you did.

14. Make new friends

Now that you are at your new duty station, time to make new friends. This can be difficult but putting yourself out there is a must. Start with just saying hi to a neighbor or going to a playgroup with your kids. Making friends will take time but once you do you will feel more at home no matter where you are stationed.

15. Relax in your new home

Whether you are in a 3rd story two-bedroom apartment in Germany or have bought your first ranch house outside of Ft. Carson, enjoy your new home. This will be where you will live for the next few years. Bloom where you are stationed even if you are sad to be there. Adventures await!

If you are going through a PCS right now, what stage are you in?

When You Are Feeling Homesick At Your Duty Station

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When You Are Feeling Homesick At Your Duty Station

Have you ever felt homesick at your duty station? As a military spouse, you might be far from home and that isn’t always easy. Being the family member that misses everything is hard. Being the one that can’t go to the baby shower or misses birthdays on a regular basis is difficult to deal with. Being the one without family nearby can be frustrating.

As a military family you could end up in so many amazing places, Hawaii, Germany, Japan…✈️

You might end up on the East Coast when you have never been east of Utah before.

You might end up in South Korea when you never even thought about getting a passport before.

You might end up in Alaska, going through your first snowy winter after growing up in Florida.

Wherever you are stationed, wherever you are currently living, take advantage of the experience. I know that is hard to do sometimes, some places are easier to live than others but blooming where you are stationed is a must. Doing so will make the whole experience a lot easier for you and your entire family. 💐

However…whether you are happy where you are currently living or not, you can feel homesick at your duty station.

There are days when you wish you could hop on a plane, and spend some time with your mom.

When you wish you could meet up with your best friend for lunch.

Or stop by and spend an afternoon with your grandparents.

If you have just moved to a new duty station, you might still feel lost, like you will never find your way or will never make a circle of friends like you had before. You might start to think that if you can only go back home, everything will be okay again.

But as a military spouse, you usually can’t go back home. Maybe your spouse can never be stationed nearby where you grew up. Maybe they can but it just hasn’t happened yet and you are not sure it ever well. Maybe your family has moved away and you know if you did go home, things would never be the same.

As a military spouse, you know that you will be living in different places, and at your core, you know that the best thing to do is learn to love where you live, but that isn’t always easy.

Here are a few things you can do if you are feeling homesick at your duty station:

Connect to your duty station

Are you spending all of your time at home? Get out and explore and check out your new neighborhood. What are you interested in? Look for a group based on that. Find a new playgroup. Or, explore your base or post for fun events. The more time you spend getting to know your new home, the better.

Don’t dwell on the differences

Are you dwelling too much on how different your current home is from where you just came from? Make a list of positives about your current duty station look online if you need ideas. If you spend all of your time thinking about what you don’t have, that will make enjoying what you do have harder to find.

Focus on you

As military spouses, we can get stuck in the day-to-day duties of living this life. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t find ways to focus on yourself. What are your goals? Do you want to go back to school? Find a new job? Have another baby?

Spend some time thinking about how you are spending your days and how you can move forward with your goals. If you are spending time working on yourself, you won’t have as much time feeling sad about where you are living and what you are missing about home. You will be busier and find over time, that you really are loving your new experiences.

You might never get to a place where you never feel homesick again, but you can get to a place where your time at your duty station isn’t going to be the worst thing in the world. It might take time, but it is possible.

Where are you stationed? How have you been able to kick your homesickness and enjoy your current home?

What To Expect At MCAS Iwakuni, Japan

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Happy to have this guest post by Kelly on MCAS Iwakuni in Japan. Please visit my Duty station guest post page for posts on other locations or more information about how you can write a guest post about where you have been stationed.

Living at Iwakuni, Japan

Finding out your family has orders overseas can be intimidating but if you’re one of the lucky ones that has orders to MCAS Iwakuni, you’ll soon fall in love with this tiny but growing base. There is plenty on base to remind you of home but fun and adventure begins as soon as you exit the gates.

MCAS Iwakuni

While it is small, MCAS Iwakuni offers quite a bit. At Crossroads Mall there is Subway, Pizza Hut, KFC, Burger King, Taco Bell, Baskin Robbins, and Crossroads Café. Currently the Post Office, Commissary, and Sakura Theater are in the process of being moved to larger buildings to accommodate the base’s growing population. There is a bunch of construction going on to building new homes and renovating some of the older homes and towers. There are three types of housing for families: row homes (three story 3 or 4 bedrooms), town homes (two story 2 or 3 bedrooms), and tower apartments (2 or 3 bedrooms). One of the things I can’t seem to get over is how beautiful it is here. The Nishiki River runs past the Sea Wall and a great place to watch to sun set behind the mountains. The Sea Wall runs around most of the base. It is as wide as a small road and paved. A great place to go walking, running, or bike riding. It runs past the Ironworks Gym. The gym is decent sized and offers a variety of fun classes to keep you in shape. The indoor pool is located at Ironworks. There is an outdoor pool with a waterslide located across the street from Crossroads Mall and the Library. The Library just reopened in January after a renovation that included installing a 3D printer that is free to use.

MCAS Iwakuni

Off base there are many options for food, fun, and adventure. There are many restaurants within walking distance. You can try okonomiyaki (savory pancake), yakitori (food on a stick), shabu shabu (cook your food in flavored broths), yakuniku (cook your food on a grill in front of you), and a variety of ramen shops without having to go more than ten minutes from base. While you are and about, it’s highly recommended to go see Kintaikyo Bridge. It is a beautiful stone and wooden bridge built in the 1600’s. It is beautiful on it’s own but stunning when the Nishiki River is lined with cherry blossom trees in full bloom. Just past the Kintaikyo Bridge is Kikko Park where you can find many fountains and statues. You can ride a gondola from Kikko Park to Iwakuni Castle. Iwakuni Castle has been turned into a museum about Iwakuni City. The view from the top of the castle is breathtaking. If you wish to see more of Japan it’s easy to hop on a plane or train or even the bullet train to explore Hiroshima, Kyoto, Osaka, Miyajima Island or even Tokyo. Recently MCAS Iwakuni made the news when President Obama visited the base on his way to see the Atomic Bomb Dome in Hiroshima.

Don’t let being in a foreign land intimidate you.  Don’t just stay on base. Actually go out and experience all that Japan has to offer. The memories you’ll make will last a lifetime. Don’t worry about the language barrier. The Google Translate app has helped us get around that. The Nationals are some of the nicest people I have met. Most of the time when we ask directions to a place they will actually walk us to the destination even if it’s a few blocks away. Either way be open to adventure and enjoy your time in Japan.

 

MCAS IwakuniKelly Stillwagon is originally from Chapel Hill, North Carolina. She currently lives in Iwakuni, Japan with her handsome husband, Jeremy. She is the owner of Barking Fabulous Dog Treats, and a blogger for I Do and Adieu. Kelly is also a paranormal investigator with over 10 years of experience. In her free time she loves to read, penpal, bake, paint, and veg out with Netflix with her kittens, Katniss Everpurr and Bagheera.

Social Media Links: Facebook page for “I Do And Adieu”- https://www.facebook.com/idoandadieu Instagram page for Kelly Stillwagon and I Do And Adieu- https://www.instagram.com/stillkelz/

On Living At Fort Huachuca, Arizona

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On Living At Fort Huachuca, Arizona

Glad to have this guest post by Rebecca on living at Fort Huachuca, Arizona. Please visit my Duty station guest post page for posts on other locations or more information about how you can write a guest post about where you have been stationed.

Fort Huachuca is often referred to as Fort “We Gotcha,” and as the home of the Military Intelligence Corps and a few thousands students, it’s very true. It’s not uncommon to be stationed here two or three times throughout a Soldier’s career. Often underappreciate, at least the first time, Huachcua is truly a gem tucked away in the Southeastern corner of Arizona.

This is our second time at Fort Huachuca, we were here in 2007, newly married while my husband attended a year-long school. In short, we hated it. There wasn’t much to do, Tucson is about a 90 minute drive and we really didn’t have the time nor money to explore.

Fast forward 5 years and we received orders to come back. Honestly, we were ecstatic. We knew what to expect, we had friends here, and we were more mature. We moved here with a dog, two kids, and about 6,000 more pounds than we left with the first time. In a way, it felt like we were heading home. Back to where it all started for us, back to the beginning.

When we arrived back on post it was almost shocking to see how much had changed. We looked at our house, which is amazing for army standards and knew this was the place we were supposed to be. The views are spectacular. Our house amazing. And the friends we’ve made? Outstanding!

So what is it really like at Fort Huachuca? It depends on the job. Most of the people here work a nice 8am to 5pm kind of job. Which is pretty perfect because that’s what the installation can support. Those unlucky few who work the long hours are those AIT Platoon Sergeants (think Drill Sergeants without the funny hats) the days are long. But overall, the place is pretty low key.

We’ve been here three years now, and are banking on two more. Which is a long time most places, but not as much for here. People have been known to spend the majority of their careers here, and I can understand it.Fort Huachuca

The neighboring town, Sierra Vista, is incredibly hospitable to military families. They show their American pride several times a year and are actually quite cultured. The Sierra Vista Symphony is a wonderful evening of music and society.

Don’t just take my word for how great it is out here, here’s what some of my friends have to say:

“Garden and Huachuca Canyons are our favorite places to hike and the amazing friends we’ve made here in two years are the best part overall,” –Leia

“The weather! I love that you can drive a few hours and see snow in the winter, or a few more hours and be on the beach. And then come home to consistently amazing weather,” –Christi

“The friends I made, the sunrises and sunsets, the view of the mountain, and nearby Bisbee.” –Jenny

“I love the unique wildlife. Where else can you have a group of javelin by night and wild turkeys by day in your yard?” – Missi

Not everyone loves Fort Huachuca as much as I do, but I truly think this is a fantastic place to raise a family, make friends, and enjoy the great outdoors. It’s hard to leave each duty station, each place you call home. I know that this will be the hardest, but I’m hopeful we’ll be back one day.

10460503_10100126370928701_2353812854519958557_nRebecca Alwine has been a military spouse for over 8 years, traveling the world and learning about herself. She’s discovered she enjoys running, loves lifting weights, is a voracious reader, and actually enjoys most of the menial tasks of motherhood. She is an avid volunteer, most recently as President of the Fort Huachuca Community Spouses’ Club and has worked as a career counselor for transitioning service members. She has a Masters in Emergency Management from American Military University and a Bachelor of Arts in Geography from the University of Mary Washington. Her writing has been published both in AUSA’s ARMY Magazine, Military Spouse Magazine, on Many Kind Regards, and multiple digital magazines and blogs. You can follow her on Twitter at armywife1229.

 

PCS Prep Advice: Make Your Next Military Move Easier

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Happy people moving in a new home

Summer is Permanent Change of Station (PCS) season for us military families. Although a PCS can happen any time of the year, summer is when the majority of relocations occur.

Moving is stressful, no matter how many times you’ve done it. Whether you are a PCS novice or an old pro, the following tips can help you and your family get settled in your new home quickly.

Set the Wheels in Motion

The first thing you should do once you know your destination and the details of your PCS is contact housing, transportation and relocation assistance offices. These valuable resources can help you with all aspects of your move, such as determining allowances, figuring out where to live, putting a vehicle in storage or shipping a pet. If you have school-age children who are not enrolled in Department of Defense schools, contact the school liaison officer. He or she will help you transfer, transition and enroll your children in the school system at your new location.

Purge

Once you know a PCS is imminent, begin going through the closets, drawers and cabinets. Get rid of anything you don’t use, haven’t used in a year, or things you know you won’t need in your new home. Put things you want to keep but aren’t moving into storage. Get rid of what you won’t be moving via a yard sale or donate it to Goodwill. Know what your property shipment weight allowances are. This will help you be more decisive about what to get rid of and what to hang onto.

Organize Important Documents

Use a binder or accordion-style folder to organize documents such as military orders, birth and marriage certificates, social security cards, insurance documents, etc. Once you have your documents organized, never let that file out of your sight! Leave it in your car or put a big red X on it so movers won’t accidentally pack it, and keep it with you while you travel.

Secure Your Home

Protect your new home or the one you are leaving behind (if you own it) with an alarm system. According to www.securitycompanies.com, there are close to 5,000 home security companies in the United States offering everything from burglary protection and fire detection to fully automated systems that can regulate a thermostat lighting with a mobile device.

Create a First Night Kit

This should contain everything you’ll need for the first night in your new home. Changes of clothes, sheets, towels, toilet paper, paper plates, a coffee maker, a can opener and a few basic tools are some must-haves for your first night kit. If you can’t lift it yourself, label it boldly, so it’s easy to find among all the other boxes and belongings.

DIY Items

Pack valuables and breakable items yourself. Anything that has monetary or sentimental value should be packed and moved by you, if possible.

Research Your New Area

Familiarize yourself with your new town before the move. Get a general idea where things like hospitals, schools, shopping centers, parks and restaurants are located.

 

This post is by:

Andrea Porter

A painter, mom, wife and photographer, Andrea always has material to write about. Finding the time to write is another story altogether.

Guest Post: Camp Zama, Japan Part 2

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Here is the 2nd part of Jes’s post on Camp Zama.  Make sure to read part one as well 🙂

Jes  blogs at Bleu Dress and Dress Blues!

We have a wonderful spouses club {again, only one, not enough people to support separate enlisted and officer clubs…that’s a recurring theme around here.  It’s not encouraged but it’s not uncommon for the two to mix freely around here}.  ZaCSA {http://zacsa.org/}, the Zama Community Spouses Association, has a plethora of volunteer opportunities and hosts numerous events throughout the year. Some of these events are held with groups of local Japanese women {their groups are exclusively female}, including cooking classes {1, 2, 3} and new years parties {2011, 2012}.  If you get stationed here and are looking for a way to get involved, this is the place to start {we were still in lodging, had been in Japan less than 2 weeks, when I took my 1st cooking class}!

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my 1st Japanese cooking class just days after arriving in Japan

Ok, enough about stuff on base, let’s see if I can begin to describe what life off base can be like when you’re stationed here.  1st, I’ll state the obvious, living in a country where you don’t speak the language is difficult!  It is very easy to be intimidated by the language barrier and never leave base. Those people are the ones who tend to HATE living here and I don’t blame them.  If I never left the base, I would be MISERABLE here too!  If you’ve ever read my blog, you probably know that I am NOT one of those people.  From day one I was determined to make the best of my time here and I am confident that I will leave here feeling like I accomplished that goal.

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embracing my inner Japanese at a temple in Tokyo

The food is…different, but, IMO, good!  My favorite, okonomoyaki, I haven’t blogged about but it’s now on my blogging to-do list!  Yakitori, or grilled chicken on a stick, is a close second and there’s a great joint between Zama and SHA.  There is also a great gyoza {dumpling} restaurant close to SHA.  Sushi here is a tad different that what we’re used to in the US.  Not so many rolls with fancy sauces and toppings, more fish, rice and wasabi.  My mom was a trooper when she came to visit and tried everything I put in front of her which was basically every Japanese food I know!  If you’d like to see more about the food here, I recommend checking out that post.

my mom’s 1st experience with sushi

There are lots of festivals and celebrations that happen throughout the yeah, especially in the summer months.  Some are family friendly, and others are not so PG.  Some you plan to attend {the one US radio station, broadcast from a near by AF base tells you about lots of events going on outside the gate}, some you randomly find by following the noise you hear while out in town for other reasons.

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my friend, Melissa, and me playing a taiko drum.  these are often a part of festivals and celebrations in Japan

Working here can be a bit challenging as there are only a few job opportunities available.  I chose to go the route of teaching English.  There are companies here who match Americans with Japanese students who want to study English.  They make it very easy for you to get started.  I also teach a group of WONDERFUL Japanese ladies at a local community club.  These women have made my time here in Japan so much more enriching.

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the ladies that I teach at the community center

Shopping in Japan can be difficult, especially if you aren’t super thin.  Even as a size 4-6 US, I have trouble finding clothes that fit sometimes.  And shoes?  I don’t even bother, my size 9 is non existent here!  The style here is a bit different than it is in America.  I embrace it, others don’t, but I’ve always been a tad on the funky side of fashion.  I’ve shared my shopping experiences here and here.   Most of us rely on online shopping though!

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a sampling of some of the more extreme fashion seen in Tokyo

  Driving and parking can also be challenging for some.  The roads are small, the cars are small and the parking spots are even smaller and slightly complicated to figure out! {I highly recommend NOT bringing your car here.  It’s very costly and large American cars don’t fit on the road here very easily} Your best bet, stick to the trains!  They go just about every where, they’re efficient, very easy to navigate and way less stressful than driving!

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watching a train driver on a local train

It took me a while, but I did find a few places to volunteer out in the community where at least some people speak English!  Through a local photographer, I found a food bank in Tokyo and through that food bank, I found an organization to volunteer with after the Tsunami.

volunteering at the food bank in Tokyo with my dear friend, Melissa

 Japan

Everyday here is an adventure.  You never know when you’ll turn a corner and learn/discover something new.  I think the most important thing is to keep an open mind.  I wasn’t thrilled the 1st time we were out and I had to use the bathroom and could not find a Western style toilet but hey it’s all about gaining life experiences right?

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a Japanese style toilet AKA squatty potty

There are tons of sights to see here.  I’m quite sure it’s impossible to see everything here in just 3 years but I’m sure going to try my best to knock as many off the list as I can!  I hope you’ll follow along as my journey here continues and if you ever get the opportunity to be stationed here, I hope you jump on it!

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Daibutsu located about an hour away in Kamakura, Japan

I could go on and on about life here but I think that is more than enough for now.  If you have any questions about life in Japan, please don’t hesitate to send me an email.

PS, I asked some friends and we come up with these tips if you happen to be PCS’ing to Camp Zama:

1.  Our PX is small, very small.  It has most of the necessities but if you are particular about a certain product, especially make-up or hair color or shampoo/conditioner, etc.  I suggest you bring those things with you.

2.  We have a clinic on site for regular check-ups and day to day health issues but we do NOT have a hospital/ER. If you find your self in a situation like this one, or are/become pregnant here, you will be seen at either Yokota AFB or Yokosuka Naval Base {both are any where from 1-3 hours away by car depending on traffic}.  Time sensitive emergency cases can be taken to a much closer Japanese ER and the base will provide you with a translator.  As far as pregnancies go, you will travel to one of those bases for all of your appointments through out your pregnancy and then about 2 weeks before your due date, they set you and your spouse up in a hotel there so you are close by when the time comes to deliver.  I have no personal experience with this but from what I hear, it’s a pretty nice set up.

3.  Most people like to take advantage of the numerous mountains near by, especially Mt Fuji.  If you intend to do any hiking here, I recommend purchase quality boots before you come.  You can find some boots off base but they are usually 2-3 times what you would pay for the same shoe in the US.

4.  Also footwear related.  RAIN BOOTS!  Public transportation is huge here and the rainy season gives us up to 3 months of pretty steady rain.  The last thing you want is to be walking around without proper protection.  You may want to invest in some rain gear before you arrive.  Rain boots & a rain jacket at minimum are pretty essential items here!