TMO implements new PCS changes

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Sean Martin
  • 2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --  The 2nd Logistics Readiness Squadron's Travel Management Office has received changes to the Permanent Change of Station rules service members must follow.

The recent changes affect the amount of professional gear an individual can have.

"A service member who is moving can only have a maximum of 2,000 lbs. of professional gear with no waiver authority," said David Frye, 2nd Logistics Readiness Squadron Travel management Office quality assurance. "This means anything that the service member uses in the performance of their duties. This weight does not count toward their entitlement weight."

"Prior to May 1, if there was no scale available at the residence to weigh the professional gear, it would automatically be weighed at 40 lbs. per cubic foot," said Frye. "Now it is 7 lbs. per cubic foot."

Some items that were previously allowed as professional gear have been removed from this list.

"Things that have been removed from this list include personal computers that people use for work at home and any awards and certificates received," said Frye. "The list is becoming very restricted."

These changes were put in effect May 1 and do not apply to those service members who were issued orders prior to this date.

"For those individuals that had orders issued prior to May 1, and went overseas, they are allowed to bring that same weight with them," said Frye. "The kicker is that the items brought back have to be the same items they left with. They are not allowed to remove something and add something else in its place."

The best thing for service members to do when moving, is to go through their stuff and see exactly what they need and what they don't need to trim that weight down as much as possible, added Frye.

With PCS season coming up, here are a few tips to keep in mind when beginning this process.

"The biggest PCS tip I can give to service members, especially during the summer months, is to plan ahead. As soon as a service member received their PCS orders, they need to contact TMO immediately. Waiting until the last minute can negatively affect the service member," said Frye.

Another change made in the PCS process is the company responsible for Privately Owned Vehicle transportation.

"The vehicle contract was recently re-issued. We transferred from one company to another," said Frye. "The process has not changed, just the location has."

Service members who turned in their POV into the processing center prior to May 1 can check the status of their vehicle at www.whereismypov.com. Those who turned it in after May 1 may check their status at www.PCSmyPOV.com.

For more information regarding these new changes, please contact 2nd LRS TMO customer service at 456-3229.