Start before you feel ready
PCS orders have a way of arriving late and moving fast. As soon as you have even a likely destination, start the paperwork: update your address with the post office, line up school records, and get copies of medical and dental records for the whole family. The families who start early are the ones who sleep the week before the move.
Sort ruthlessly
Every PCS move is a chance to lighten the load. Go room by room and sort into keep, donate, and toss. Military moves often have weight limits, and paying to move things you do not want is the most expensive kind of clutter. Donation pickups in the Waldorf area book up fast in summer PCS season — schedule early.
Keep orders and documents with you
Orders, IDs, medical records, school transcripts, and anything with a signature goes in a folder that rides with you, not on the truck. Photograph or scan everything too. If the truck is delayed, you can still check in, enroll the kids, and see a doctor.
Plan for the gap
Housing dates and truck dates rarely line up perfectly. Pack a "first week" kit: air mattress or sleeping bags, a few dishes, basic tools, toiletries, chargers, and a change of clothes for everyone. If you need short-term storage between places, ask about it when you book — we handle storage for PCS families around Indian Head, Lexington Park, and Camp Springs all the time.
Moving day with kids and pets
PCS moves are hard on kids who have done this before and know what is coming. Let them pack a personal box they keep with them. Pets do better away from the chaos — a friend's house or a daycare for the day is worth it.