Department of Defense Education Activity

PCS Checklist

A Permanent Change of Station (PCS) move can be a stressful experience and requires a great deal of advanced planning. The checklist below will assist you in planning and executing each step of the PCS process. However, the most important things you can do are to be proactive and ask questions. Your primary point of contact is the Human Resources (HR) Specialist who extended you the offer. The HR Specialist will provide you with several documents that you will be responsible for completing. Take the time to read these documents and ask questions.

The list below gives you a broad outline and sequence of steps involved in your relocation. Not all employees are authorized the same relocation entitlements. Where an employee is hired from (locally, within the US, or overseas) and whether they are currently employed with DoDEA (DoDEA Americas, DoDEA Europe, or DoDEA Pacific) will determine what benefits each employee is entitled to. Be sure to discuss these steps with your HR Specialist to understand the benefits that apply to you.

Remember, this checklist is a guide and does not supersede any laws, regulations, or directives that are already in place.

Because DoDEA is a worldwide organization operating in a number of environments, not every employee is required to follow every step in the process outlined below. Please address any questions about the process to the appropriate office. If you are unsure of who to ask, please contact your HR Specialist and they will be able to point you in the right direction.

Getting Your Orders

Getting Your Orders

Certificate of Medical Examination; Required Pre-Travel Trainings and Briefings; Background Check/Clearance; Request for Travel Orders; Request for Travel Orders
Arranging For Your Move

Arranging For Your Move

Arrange for Travel and Transfer of Household Goods, Unaccompanied Baggage, and Privately Owned Vehicle; Terminate Living Quarters Allowance (LQA) & Post Allowance; Initiate Request for Temporary Quarters Subsistence Allowance (TQSA); Repay Unused Living Quarters Allowance; DD Form 1833: Isolated Personnel Recovery Report (ISOPREP)
Before You Leave Your Current Duty Station

Before You Leave Your Current Duty Station

Send Information Awareness Training Certification and Computer User Agreement to New Supervisor; Cancel Local Subscriptions, Utilities, and Update Address; Submit a Help Desk ticket to prepare for data migration; Military Deposits: As Applicable; Change of Address Form; Base and School Clearance Procedures; Turn in Assigned Property; Transfer of Office Materials; Local Out-Processing Checklist; Close out your Government Travel Credit Card (GTS) and/or any Government Purchase Card (GPS) Responsibilities
When You Arrive At Your New Duty Station

When You Arrive At Your New Duty Station

Establish New Mailing Address & Banking Information; Temporary Quarters Subsistence Expense Allowances (TQSE); Relocation Income Tax Allowance (RITA; Thrift Savings Plan Adjustment: Select Current Federal Employees; Check Status of Shipments and Deliveries