After the boxes are unloaded and the moving truck pulls away, it can feel like the hardest part of a military PCS is finally over. But arriving at a new duty station comes with its own list of to-dos.
From checking in with the unit and unpacking the house to enrolling the kids in school and setting them up for success, those first few days can be packed with busyness. But you don't have to figure everything out at once.
Start with the essentials, then give yourself some time to get familiar with your new installation and community. Here’s a checklist to keep you on track.
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1. Check In With Your Unit
Checking in with the service member’s new unit is most often what a military family should do first after arriving at a new duty station.
Depending on the branch and duty station, the check-in process may include paperwork, OCONUS briefings, medical or personnel requirements, and other administrative tasks. The check-in helps initiate reimbursement of military PCS-related expenses when applicable, as well as Basic Housing Allowance.
While checking in, take note of any newcomer resources or programs available on the installation. Relocation assistance, military family support services, childcare, youth programs, and MWR facilities can all be helpful as the family gets settled.
2. Establish Local Healthcare
PCSing to a new duty station often means finding new healthcare providers and pharmacies. Once you’re settled in, take some time to make sure the family’s healthcare information is up to date, and everyone knows where to go for care.
Update your information in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) and review your TRICARE coverage and primary care manager. It's also good to know that a change of address qualifies as a TRICARE Qualifying Life Event (QLE), allowing you to change your health plan from Prime to Standard or vice versa outside the regular open season.
If you’re assigned to a military treatment facility, find out where it’s located and how to schedule appointments (MHS Genesis makes this even easier). Families who use civilian providers may want to research the area to request specific doctors, dentists, specialists, or other in-network healthcare providers.
Don’t forget about prescriptions. Transfer your family's prescriptions to a nearby military or civilian pharmacy and schedule any upcoming refills before you run out.
Taking care of these details and locating a proper urgent care facility early means one less thing to figure out when someone needs medical care.
3. Get Your Household Settled
Moving into a new home is more than just unpacking. Beyond the boxes are a few household tasks worth tackling early. As soon as you secure housing, set up utilities and internet, update your mailing address, and make sure your insurance providers, banks, subscriptions, and other important accounts have your new contact information.
Learn about potential vehicle registration requirements and insurance updates for your new state or country. Military families may have different requirements depending on their state of legal residence and installation. While most states don't require you to register your vehicle in the state you’re stationed in, OCONUS locations like Hawaii do. It’s a good idea to check state laws and regulations before making assumptions.
If your household goods haven't arrived yet, keep track of your shipment if you included an AirTag. Once the delivery arrives, take note of any damaged or missing items and follow the appropriate claims process.
You don't have to unpack the entire house in the first week. Focus on getting the essentials first so the household can start functioning before worrying about making it feel like home.
4. Get the Kids Settled
Heading to a new duty station means a lot of changes for kids, too. Getting them settled into school, childcare, activities, and a new routine can help make the transition feel easier for the whole family.
Start the enrollment process as soon as possible for school-aged children. Gather the necessary enrollment documents your school or district requires (usually birth certificate, proof of residency, immunization record, parent ID and/or marriage license, and previous school transcript), learn about transportation options, and find out about sports, clubs, and other extracurricular activities. If your family lives on or near an installation, check whether the School Liaison Office offers resources to help military families navigate the local school system.
For younger children, look into childcare and youth programs available through the installation or in the local community. Some programs may have waitlists, so it’s worth getting familiar with your options early.
Most importantly, give kids some time to adjust. A new school, new friends, and a new community takes time to get used to. Establishing familiar routines and finding a few activities they enjoy can help the new duty station start to feel like home.
See our guide to finding the best school solution for your military kids.
5. Get to Know Your New Installation
Once the immediate, pressing to-dos are checked off the list, get familiar with your new duty station. Finding the places your military family will use most can make day-to-day life a little easier, like the commissary, exchange, gas station, and fitness center. Then check which secondary amenities are available, including the library, parks and playgrounds, pool, youth programs, Information Tickets and Travel (ITT), and MWR facilities.
Also look into programs like the Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP), Respite Care, and Military and Family Support Centers on base.
There’s no rush. You don’t have to see and do everything right away. The goal is to get familiar with what’s available to you as your family settles in.
6. Explore Your New Community
Once the essentials are wrapped up, it’s time for the fun part: getting to know your new community! You’ve already explored within the gates; now it’s time to learn the culture and local feel of your new duty station.
Find a few local parks, try a restaurant, visit a nearby attraction, or spend a Saturday exploring a part of town you haven’t seen yet. Look for family-friendly activities, community events, museums, outdoor recreation, and other places that might become part of your family’s new routine.
When you’re settling into a new duty station, you’ll find that some things fall into place quickly, while others may take a few weeks or even months. Check off the essentials, explore your new community, and then enjoy discovering what makes this duty station feel like home for you and your family.
And if finding a place to live is still on your list, MilitaryByOwner can help! Browse homes for sale and rent near military installations and start your search for a place your family can call home.
