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PCS and Family Life
A 90-Day PCS Planning Checklist
Organize the final 90 days before a PCS with a practical timeline for orders, housing, transportation, medical care, schools, and travel.
5 minutes readMilitary Life Resource Library
Big transitions.
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Plan a PCS
Turn orders and a report date into a practical household plan.
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Three guides for your next chapter.
Assignment Research and Interview Preparation
How to Research an Army Unit Before an Assignment Interview
Learn how to build a useful, public-information-only picture of an Army unit before an assignment interview.
5 minutes read
OCONUS & Special Circumstances
OCONUS PCS Checklist: Documents, Travel, Housing, and Arrival
Coordinate family authorization, destination documents, shipments, pets, schools, care, and first-week arrangements for an OCONUS move.
3 minutes readYour guide shelf
Find the information you need.
Showing 12 of 53 matching guides · 53 in the library
Assignment Research and Interview Preparation
How to Research an Army Unit Before an Assignment Interview
Learn how to build a useful, public-information-only picture of an Army unit before an assignment interview.
5 minutes read
Assignment Research and Interview Preparation
The Best Questions to Ask During an Army Assignment Interview
Ask questions that reveal expectations, team needs, professional fit, and assignment realities without wasting the interview.
5 minutes read
Assignment Research and Interview Preparation
How to Prepare for an Army Marketplace Interview
A practical preparation framework for presenting your experience clearly and assessing whether an Army assignment fits.
5 minutes read
Assignment Research and Interview Preparation
How to Evaluate an Army Assignment for Career Fit
Evaluate an assignment by comparing required performance, skill development, future options, mentorship, and personal sustainability.
5 minutes read
Research Assignments
How to Compare Army Duty Stations Beyond BAH
BAH is an important part of a duty-station comparison, but it does not show the full financial or family impact of an assignment. Use this practical framework to compare housing, commuting, childcare, employment, healthcare, travel, and quality of life.
10 minutes read
PCS and Family Life
On-Post versus Off-Post Housing: How to Decide
Compare on-post and off-post housing using cost, commute, availability, family needs, and financial risk.
5 minutes readPCS and Family Life
A 90-Day PCS Planning Checklist
Organize the final 90 days before a PCS with a practical timeline for orders, housing, transportation, medical care, schools, and travel.
5 minutes read
PCS and Family Life
How to Research Childcare at Your Next Duty Station
Build a realistic childcare plan before a PCS by comparing military and civilian options, waitlists, costs, schedules, and backup care.
5 minutes read
PCS and Family Life
How to Protect a Military Spouse Career During a PCS
A PCS can interrupt employment, but early planning can preserve professional relationships, credentials, income, and career momentum.
5 minutes read
PCS and Family Life
What to Know About Professional Licensing Before a PCS
Learn how to identify licensing requirements, transfer credentials, use military-spouse provisions, and avoid preventable employment delays after a PCS.
5 minutes read
PCS and Family Life
How to Compare Healthcare Access at Duty Stations
Compare healthcare at possible duty stations by looking beyond the nearest hospital to provider availability, referrals, travel time, pharmacy access, and continuity of care.
5 minutes read
PCS and Family Life
Preparing for a PCS With an EFMP Family Member
Prepare for an EFMP-related PCS by updating enrollment, coordinating care, organizing records, researching services, and building an arrival backup plan.
5 minutes readA useful order to follow
Take it one step at a time.
Eight reading paths, built around the decisions in front of you.
01First Military PCS4 guides · Military family life
Start with the big picture, then work through orders, shipment choices, and your shared plan.
- A 90-Day PCS Planning Checklist5 minutes read
- Understanding PCS Orders: What Military Families Should Review3 minutes read
- PPM vs. Government-Arranged Move: How to Choose3 minutes read
- How to Build a Shared Family PCS Calendar3 minutes read
Confirm the details
- Arranging a Personal Property Shipment (official resource, opens in a new tab) ↗
- Relocation Assistance Program (official resource, opens in a new tab) ↗
Your next action: Write down your next three actions and the office responsible for each.
See Family Ops · Coming soon →02Moving Overseas4 guides · Military family life
Work through the family and destination questions that need extra lead time.
- OCONUS PCS Checklist: Documents, Travel, Housing, and Arrival3 minutes read
- Command Sponsorship: What Military Families Should Know3 minutes read
- Flying With Pets During an OCONUS PCS3 minutes read
- Moving Overseas With School-Age Children3 minutes read
Confirm the details
- Your OCONUS Move: Planning, Resources and Tips (official resource, opens in a new tab) ↗
- Obtaining Command Sponsorship Before an OCONUS Move (official resource, opens in a new tab) ↗
Your next action: Confirm your service and destination requirements before making commitments.
See Family Ops · Coming soon →03PCS With Children4 guides · Military family life
Plan care, school, and travel around your household’s needs.
- How to Prepare Children for a Military Move5 minutes read
- How to Research Childcare at Your Next Duty Station5 minutes read
- Planning a Military PCS Road Trip With Children and Pets3 minutes read
- Moving Overseas With School-Age Children3 minutes read
Confirm the details
- School Liaison Program (official resource, opens in a new tab) ↗
- Changing Schools (official resource, opens in a new tab) ↗
Your next action: Contact the destination school liaison or childcare office for your next step.
See Family Ops · Coming soon →04PCS With Pets4 guides · Military family life
Build the pet travel plan alongside your household travel plan.
- PCS With Dogs and Cats: A Military Pet Travel Checklist3 minutes read
- Flying With Pets During an OCONUS PCS3 minutes read
- Planning a Military PCS Road Trip With Children and Pets3 minutes read
- Moving to Hawaii or Alaska: Military PCS Planning Differences3 minutes read
Confirm the details
- Moving With Pets (official resource, opens in a new tab) ↗
- Pet Travel Process Overview (official resource, opens in a new tab) ↗
Your next action: Ask the veterinarian and carrier about the timing and requirements for your actual route.
See Family Ops · Coming soon →05Military Spouse Career Transition5 guides · Military family life
Keep work and learning connected as the household changes locations.
- How to Protect a Military Spouse Career During a PCS5 minutes read
- Military Spouse Employment Resources Across All Six Services3 minutes read
- What to Know About Professional Licensing Before a PCS5 minutes read
- How to Maintain Remote Employment During a Military PCS3 minutes read
- Military Spouse Education and Scholarship Resources3 minutes read
Confirm the details
- Office of Spouse Employment (official resource, opens in a new tab) ↗
- 2025 Update: Portability of Professional Licenses (official resource, opens in a new tab) ↗
Your next action: Choose one career-continuity action and identify the right official contact.
See Family Ops · Coming soon →06Researching Army Assignments4 guides · Army assignment research
Build context, compare the life around the position, and prepare for unit conversations.
- How to Research an Army Unit Before an Assignment Interview5 minutes read
- How to Compare Army Duty Stations Beyond BAH10 minutes read
- How to Evaluate an Army Assignment for Career Fit5 minutes read
- How to Prepare for an Army Marketplace Interview5 minutes read
Confirm the details
- Army organization directory (official resource, opens in a new tab) ↗
- MilitaryINSTALLATIONS (official resource, opens in a new tab) ↗
Your next action: Add an assignment to your Workspace, then prepare questions for the unit.
Explore Assignment Research →07PCS Financial Preparation5 guides · Military family life
Separate household estimates from official entitlements and plan for timing gaps.
- How to Build an Emergency Fund Before a Military Move3 minutes read
- Military Dislocation Allowance: What Families Should Check3 minutes read
- TLE vs. TLA: Understanding Temporary Lodging During a PCS3 minutes read
- How to Track Military PCS Reimbursements and Receipts3 minutes read
- Understanding Advance Pay and PCS Financial Assistance3 minutes read
Confirm the details
- Dislocation Allowance (official resource, opens in a new tab) ↗
- Temporary Lodging Expense (official resource, opens in a new tab) ↗
Your next action: Take your estimate and reimbursement questions to the finance or travel office.
See Family Ops · Coming soon →08Your First Month at a New Duty Station5 guides · Military family life
Start with essential follow-ups, then make space for community and daily life.
- Your First 30 Days at a New Duty Station: A Practical Checklist6 minutes read
- How to Research a New Military Installation Before Arrival3 minutes read
- Finding Military Family Support Programs at Your Next Installation3 minutes read
- Understanding MWR and Recreation Across the Military Services3 minutes read
- How to Find Activities and Build Community After a PCS3 minutes read
Confirm the details
- Settling In After a PCS (official resource, opens in a new tab) ↗
- MilitaryINSTALLATIONS (official resource, opens in a new tab) ↗
Your next action: Confirm your essential contacts and plan one manageable local activity.
See Family Ops · Coming soon →Browse the complete title index · 53 guides
- How to Research an Army Unit Before an Assignment Interview
- The Best Questions to Ask During an Army Assignment Interview
- How to Prepare for an Army Marketplace Interview
- How to Evaluate an Army Assignment for Career Fit
- How to Compare Army Duty Stations Beyond BAH
- On-Post versus Off-Post Housing: How to Decide
- A 90-Day PCS Planning Checklist
- How to Research Childcare at Your Next Duty Station
- How to Protect a Military Spouse Career During a PCS
- What to Know About Professional Licensing Before a PCS
- How to Compare Healthcare Access at Duty Stations
- Preparing for a PCS With an EFMP Family Member
- Your First 30 Days at a New Duty Station: A Practical Checklist
- How to Prepare Children for a Military Move
- Buying or Renting at Your Next Duty Station: How to Decide
- Army Education Opportunities: A Practical Guide for Soldiers
- How to Use ArmyIgnitED for Tuition Assistance
- Army COOL and Credentialing Assistance: What Soldiers Should Know
- How to Balance Online College and Army Service
- How to Choose a Military-Friendly Online College
- How to Turn Military Training Into College Credit
- Tuition Assistance versus the GI Bill: Which Should You Use?
- How to Build a Five-Year Army Career Plan
- PPM vs. Government-Arranged Move: How to Choose
- How to Prepare for Your Military Household Goods Pickup
- What to Do When Military Household Goods Are Lost or Damaged
- Understanding PCS Orders: What Military Families Should Review
- How to Plan a Last-Minute Military PCS
- Military Dislocation Allowance: What Families Should Check
- TLE vs. TLA: Understanding Temporary Lodging During a PCS
- How to Track Military PCS Reimbursements and Receipts
- Understanding Advance Pay and PCS Financial Assistance
- How to Build an Emergency Fund Before a Military Move
- PCS With Dogs and Cats: A Military Pet Travel Checklist
- Flying With Pets During an OCONUS PCS
- Planning a Military PCS Road Trip With Children and Pets
- What to Pack in Your Military PCS Essentials Bag
- How to Plan Temporary Lodging Between Duty Stations
- Military Spouse Employment Resources Across All Six Services
- How to Maintain Remote Employment During a Military PCS
- Military Spouse Education and Scholarship Resources
- How to Build a Shared Family PCS Calendar
- Managing a PCS When One Partner Moves First
- How to Research a New Military Installation Before Arrival
- Understanding MWR and Recreation Across the Military Services
- Finding Military Family Support Programs at Your Next Installation
- How to Find Activities and Build Community After a PCS
- How to Compare Commutes and Neighborhoods Near Military Installations
- OCONUS PCS Checklist: Documents, Travel, Housing, and Arrival
- Command Sponsorship: What Military Families Should Know
- Moving to Hawaii or Alaska: Military PCS Planning Differences
- Planning a Military PCS During Pregnancy or With a Newborn
- Moving Overseas With School-Age Children
Good guidance starts with the source.
These guides help you plan and ask better questions. Follow their official references to confirm current policies and individual requirements.
Explore official tools and references →Researching where to go? Explore duty stations and destination guides →