 |
| News > Feature - PCS season - helping you prepare |
|
PCS season - helping you prepare
Posted 6/18/2012 Updated 6/18/2012
Email story
Print story
by Sharon McDaniel
Airman and Family Readiness Center
6/18/2012 - CANNON AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- Permanent Change of Station season is upon us, and whether this is your first move or the fifteenth, it can be a challenging time for the entire family. The key to a successful and relatively stress-free move is preparation. Planning should begin as soon as you are notified of the PCS. May through August are the busiest moving times for military members; if your PCS is planned during that time, make sure the Transportation Management Office pack dates are booked far enough in advance to avoid any delays in planned travel.
Many base agencies require that you have orders before making an appointment, but you can review information about your gaining installation at Military Installations. This site provides an in-depth description of what to expect at your next base.
The site also has information about the base proper and the surrounding areas, including schools and employment trends. In addition to this information, there is a "Plan My Move" function which will populate a calendar based on your destination and Report No Later Than date as well as a function which allows you to request a sponsor.
Tips to remember:
1. Your sponsor is a valuable tool. Keep in constant contact with your sponsor, and be sure to keep him or her informed of your family's needs. It is your sponsor's job to ensure everything you need is in place before your arrival on station. If you have not received a sponsor and want one, be sure to either contact the gaining squadron or to request one at Military Installations.
2. Moves are the perfect time to go through your belongings and 'weed out' old items that are no longer needed. Yard and garage sales along with donations to local charities are good ways to downsize the household baggage. Think you might have too much? Weight limits are available through the TMO.
3. Finally, remember not to close out any bank accounts until you are settled in the new location and have had paychecks successfully deposited into a new account at least once. Along the same lines, do not remove family members from TriCare coverage until you arrive at the new base. Doing so may lead to extra charges from any medical care received during transition from one base to another.
The Airman and Family Readiness Center is here to assist you during the PCS process. We offer many services including:
PCS child care - 20 free hours per child through a Family Child Care provider. Families are entitled to one voucher before they PCS and after they arrive on station from their gaining A&FRC. Vouchers must be used within 60 days of a PCS.
Smooth move - A workshop for PCSing personnel featuring briefings from the housing, finance, TMO, and legal offices. This workshop is intended to assist the member with preparing for the move.
The final move - An overview of benefits received by those separating and retirees for their final move.
We also offer one-on-one relocation assistance, financial planning assistance, and employment help when needed. A school liaison officer is on staff to assist with any questions regarding what is needed when transferring school-age children to a new location.
We look forward to assisting you with your move at the AFRC!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| Featured LinksTopics of InterestPublications |
|
|
| |
|
|
