Planning a military PCS move is never simple. And for families deciding whether they should do a Personally Procured Move (PPM), also known as a DITY move, it has just gotten more complicated. With recent changes under the HomeSafe Alliance system, the old perks of pocketing a little extra cash on the backend are fading fast. Today, it’s less about making money and more about minimizing losses.
If you’re considering a PPM this year, here’s how to make it as cost-effective—and stress-free—as possible.
What's New About PCS Moves for Military Families
Military families planning a Permanent Change of Station (PCS) should be aware of recent updates to the Personally Procured Move (PPM), formerly called Do-It-Yourself (DITY) moves. The Department of Defense rolled out a new system managed by HomeSafe Alliance under the Global Household Goods Contract. This change alters how reimbursements are calculated.
The process has shifted from traditional government rates to rates determined by HomeSafe, equating to smaller reimbursements and more out-of-pocket costs for families. In addition, all government-contracted moves are now coordinated by HomeSafe, streamlining the process but reducing individual flexibility.
PPM or Military Movers: Making the Decision
There’s always been a controversial debate about whether military families should use military movers or handle the move themselves. While many could never fathom packing, loading, and moving their household goods, there was one clear advantage to those who chose to DIY. Most could pocket a little cash at the back end of the move.
With the HomeSafe Alliance changes, this isn’t so. The debate now reads, should you let the military move you and risk the longer wait and possible damage to your household goods, or pay out of pocket to secure confidence that your belongings will make it to their destination?
The reality? There’s no winning. Before, those who chose the military movers' route thought they made the best choice, and those who moved themselves believed that they did. Today, it doesn’t matter who you ask—it feels as though everyone grabbed the short straw.
What PPMs Look Like Under the New HomeSafe Alliance System
With the change in reimbursement, it’s crucial for those who choose a PPM to find the most budget-friendly options to reduce the amount they’ll pay out of pocket. This is when research pays off. It’s no longer about how much money you’ll make by doing the work yourself. It’s about how much money you want to spend on your move. Expenses like rental trucks, moving containers, and hiring packers or loaders are crucial decisions in your PPM.
While PODS has slowly increased its prices over the years, similar companies have popped up and given you more options to consider before booking. Below are the most affordable moving container companies. These are the approximate costs for moving the household goods of a 2- to 3-bedroom house about 2,500 miles:
- U-Pack: $5,960
- 1-800-PACK-RAT: $3,540
- PODS: $4,802
- Zippy Shell: $4,000
Insights into PPM Reimbursements
Everyone’s talking about a shift in reimbursement rates for a PPM. Here’s an example of what it actually looks like.
Old PPM System (Before HomeSafe):
- Reimbursement = 95% of government moving rate
- Example: Government moving rate = $10,000, reimbursement = $9,500
- Actual DIY costs (U-Pack, movers, supplies, gas, hotels): $7,000
New PPM System (HomeSafe, 2024-2025):
- Reimbursement = HomeSafe's calculated rate (lower than traditional government rate)
- Example: HomeSafe rate = $7,500, reimbursement = $7,125
- Actual DIY costs: $7,000
Military movers break even or walk away with a small gain of about $125.
With last-minute bookings, a high volume of movers, or extra services, many families choosing to do a PPM can expect a $1,000 or more loss.
Photo by Nicolas Menijes from Canva.com
Tips to Make Your PPM More Affordable
PCS moves are already expensive without worrying about paying out of pocket for your household goods. Fees like rental security deposits, gasoline, eating out while traveling, and hotel bookings add up. Add a DITY move into the mix, and you’re also paying for packing materials.
Some ways to help reduce costs:
- Ask for military discounts, as many offer special rates for PCS’ing military.
- Be mindful of your weight allowance to ensure you’re as close to the reimbursement rate as possible.
- Book early to ensure the best rates and availability.
- Downsize to reduce your weight.
What Fellow Military Families Are Saying
Although not all military families will do a PPM, there's a significant increase this year. As you're deciding what's best for you, here's what some families who chose the PPM route are saying.
"We are doing our first PPM with PackRat cubes. According to the estimate, we will break even at best and be out 1-2k at worst. We opted for this route after a disastrous government move the last time (even before this new system)." -Kristen
"We plan to do a PPM this summer with UBox. We are fortunate to be in a position where if we have to pay out of pocket, we are able to. We're 19 years in, and this is the first full PPM for us. But we decided it’s not worth the risk of not getting things picked up on time, delivered on time, or broken." -Kira
"We will be doing our first PPM in 20 years, and it’s our retirement move. After seeing all the horror stories, I wasn’t ready to risk everything we had built for our family and prepare for retirement. So we are loading up two PackRat boxes and having them stored while our house is finished. Right now, we are looking at about 13k in reimbursement. In the end, we will have a chunk come out of pocket, but it's worth it this time around." -Lindsay
"We are doing our first PPM ever. We're using a U-Pack 28-foot trailer and packing ourselves while hiring movers to do the heavy lifting and unloading. We will lose money, I’m sure, once the new rates are published." -Jaymie
"We are doing a PPM. We ordered U-Haul containers (the cheapest option for us) from CA to VA. PODS quoted us $20,000. Now, we are paying 1/4 of it. New rates will drop in mid-May, so we will see. We will probably break even or lose a little—who knows? Honestly, it gives us peace of mind, and if we break or lose anything, it’s on us. But we will get out in time, pack in time, and receive our pods whenever we want." -Vivianna
Whether a DITY/PPM is "worth it" comes down to peace of mind, control, and how much you're willing to pay out of pocket. The new system may have taken away the financial incentive that once made DIY moves appealing, but for many, it’s still the safer bet over what can be perceived as an unpredictable and delayed military relocation.
Planning ahead and shopping around while being strategic about your spending can help you keep costs manageable. Just know this: you're not alone, and every military family is navigating the same tough choices this season.
