Airmen face personal property challenges Published May 2, 2014 By Tech. Sgt. Reginald Prince 2nd Logistics Readiness Squadron BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. -- Once again, it is peak moving season for military personnel and Department of Defense employees. Peak season is a high volume of personnel undergoing Permanent Change of Station during the months of May to September. To help ease potential delays, military personnel and DOD employees are advised to go to www.move.mil and register for a Defense Personal Property System account. DPS registration can be accomplished before official orders are issued, but in order to start the process and request desired move dates you need official orders. Self-counseling in www.move.mil is mandatory for all military and DOD civilians. Additionally, the self-counseling process takes you through the steps to arrange contractor pack, pick-up and ship dates. In order to finalize pack and pick-up dates, personnel must visit the Personal Property section in the Traffic Management Office, with two copies of orders, DD Form 1299, Application for Shipment and/or Storage of Household Goods and DD Form 1797, Personal Property Counseling Checklist. Headquarters Personal Property Activity requires personnel to schedule their move dates at least three to four weeks in advance. Be flexible with moving dates and provide realistic primary and alternate dates. Primary and alternates dates must be at least a week apart. If government-arranged moves are not available due to blackout dates, utilize other options. These options consist of, but are not limited to, having a designated releasing agent, power of attorney, or a personally procured move. Depending on the type of official orders, the types of shipments that may apply are the following: -PPM allows you to control your move dates and ensure you have immediate access to your property upon arrival at your new location. In addition to utilizing your own vehicle(s) or renting one, you have the option to utilize portable moving and storage containers. There is an option to receive and advance payment to curtail any expenses. -Household Goods move is authorized as a PCS entitlement. Your HHGS weight allowance depends on your grade/rank and dependency status. Moreover, based on service branch (i.e. Air Force, Army, etc.), your next duty location might be weight restricted. Transit times may vary; estimated 60-75 days to an overseas location, and 14-30 days to stateside locations. Any weight remaining, you elect not to ship, may be placed in non-temporary storage. NTS is a contractor facility in a secured location for storage of HHGS. This facility is usually not climate controlled. NTS is authorized for the duration of your tour (i.e. stationed in Korea for one year). - Unaccompanied baggage is a weight restricted shipment. UB is described as personal clothing and equipment, essential pots, pans, and light housekeeping items; collapsible items such as cribs, playpens, and baby carriages; and other articles required for the care of dependents. Furniture items are not authorized. Transit times are estimated from 30-60 days. A rule of thumb to gauge the weight of household goods is approximately 1,000 pounds per fully furnished room as an initial estimate. Members are highly encouraged to dispose of any unnecessary items to reduce the weight of their shipment. Excess weight shipped over weight allowance will incur excess cost to members. For information on shipping personally owned vehicles, visit the Vehicle Processing Center website at www.whereismypov.com. The DPS has an array of helpful tools and information for personnel preparing to move. Some of the resources available on the website include information on entitlements, weight allowance table, a weight estimator, moving and travel tips, precautions concerning shipments to overseas locations and traveling with pet tips. There is also information regarding shipping or storing a POV, boat and multiple how-to guides. Individuals are also able to check their shipment status 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with internet access. As a reminder, planning ahead will lead to a smoother transition. Unfortunately, blackout dates are expected to continue throughout the peak season. Requested pack and pickup dates could change based upon carriers' capacity to handle your shipments. Remember to be proactive versus reactive to reduce unnecessary stress during your relocation.