Your First 30 Days at a New Duty Station: A Practical Checklist

The first month after a PCS is a mix of official requirements and household recovery. Handle deadline-driven tasks first, then build routines that make the new location workable.

Your orders, gaining unit, installation offices, and service guidance take priority over any general checklist. Plan My Move (opens in a new tab) can create an official checklist tailored to the move.

First 72 hours

• ☐ Follow the official reporting instructions on the orders.
• ☐ Contact the sponsor or gaining unit if travel or arrival details change.
• ☐ Complete required initial reporting and confirm the in-processing schedule.
• ☐ Save lodging, travel, toll, and other required receipts.
• ☐ Confirm temporary or permanent housing access and document its condition.
• ☐ Locate the nearest appropriate urgent and emergency care.
• ☐ Secure medications, documents, valuables, pets, and essential equipment.
• ☐ Confirm the household-goods delivery contact information.

Do not rush through a housing inspection. Photograph existing damage and report it through the required process before the deadline.

During the first week

• ☐ Complete unit and installation in-processing requirements.
• ☐ Review travel-voucher instructions and submit required documents.
• ☐ Confirm household-goods delivery and understand how to report loss or damage.
• ☐ Review TRICARE moving guidance (opens in a new tab) and complete required enrollment or primary-care actions.
• ☐ Enroll children in school and provide only the required records.
• ☐ Follow up on childcare requests through MilitaryChildCare.com (opens in a new tab).
• ☐ Set up essential utilities, mail, and secure internet service.
• ☐ Learn installation gate procedures and test the commute at reporting time.

Use MilitaryINSTALLATIONS (opens in a new tab) to find official offices, phone numbers, and installation services.

During the second week

• ☐ Inspect delivered household goods and preserve evidence of damage.
• ☐ Follow the current official claims process and deadlines.
• ☐ Update vehicle registration, driver's license, and insurance when required.
• ☐ Confirm pharmacy access and transfer prescriptions through appropriate channels.
• ☐ Establish school transportation, childcare pickup, and backup contacts.
• ☐ Contact spouse employment and professional-licensing resources if needed.
• ☐ Review the first post-move pay statement for unexpected changes.
• ☐ Update the household budget using actual housing, utility, childcare, and commuting costs.

Keep orders, inventories, photographs, receipts, claim records, and confirmation numbers together until every move issue is resolved.

During weeks three and four

• ☐ Establish primary and recurring healthcare when needed.
• ☐ Complete remaining school, childcare, EFMP, or family-support appointments.
• ☐ Identify a reliable grocery store, pharmacy, mechanic, and emergency veterinary option if applicable.
• ☐ Update emergency contacts and family communication plans.
• ☐ Review local severe-weather and emergency procedures.
• ☐ Connect with appropriate community, recreation, faith, or professional groups.
• ☐ Schedule a family check-in about what is and is not working.
• ☐ Close temporary services and unnecessary move-related subscriptions.

Before day 30, verify five areas

Official requirements: Reporting, in-processing, vouchers, and required updates are complete or tracked.

Housing and property: Housing issues and household-goods claims are documented within current deadlines.

Health and education: The family knows how to access care, school, childcare, and special-needs support.

Finances: The household has reviewed actual pay and recurring costs rather than relying on pre-move estimates.

Daily life: Commutes, pickup responsibilities, emergency contacts, and backup plans are clear.

Military OneSource maintains broader PCS and military-move guidance (opens in a new tab). If an issue cannot be resolved locally, use the appropriate official office rather than relying on unverified online advice.