PCS Entitlements
Military members who make Permanent Change of Station (PCS) from one duty station to another are authorized many entitlements. Here's an overview:
HOUSE HUNTING PRIOR TO MOVE. Military members are allowed a permissive TDY (Temporary Duty) for up to 10 days in conjunction with a Permanent Change of Station (PCS) move between and within the 50 states & District of Columbia. Military members not living on base can use this benefit by arriving at their new base 10 days early and using the time for house-hunting, time which is not charged as leave.
TEMPORARY LODGING EXPENSE (TLE). TLE will partially offset lodging and meal expenses when a military member and/or dependents need to occupy temporary lodging in the continental United States (CONUS). Reimbursement is up to $180 per day.
If the member is moving from one CONUS base to another, he/she is authorized up to 10 days TLE, at either duty station.
If the member is moving from CONUS to overseas, they can only receive up to five days TLE at the losing duty station.
TEMPORARY LODGING ALLOWANCE (TLA). Up to 60 days (can be extended) may be paid for temporary lodging expenses and meal expenses after a military member (and his/her family) arrive at a new overseas location, while awaiting housing.
DISLOCATION ALLOWANCE. Active military may be entitled to a Dislocation Allowance (DLA) when relocating their household due to a PCS. DLA is intended to partially reimburse relocation expenses not otherwise reimbursed.
PER DIEM FOR PCS TRAVEL. Military members receive a "per diem" allowance, which is designed to partially reimburse for lodging and meal expenses when traveling from one duty station to another.
TRAVEL BY PRIVATELY OWNED CONVEYANCE (POC). When members elect to travel to their new duty station by auto, they are entitled to receive a mileage allowance, in lieu of cost of airline ticket. The reimbursement rate depends on the number of authorized travelers in the vehicle.
DEPENDENT TRAVEL WITHIN CONUS BY OTHER THAN POC. Within CONUS dependents may be authorized to travel by commercial means (air, rail, bus), unless they elect to travel by POC, from the old PDS to the new PDS.
DEPENDENT TRAVEL OUTSIDE CONUS. Dependents can travel to overseas assignment locations, either via military aircraft, or by commercial means. The only time one can be reimbursed for flying on a commercial foreign carrier is if no AMC services that overseas location.
HOUSEHOLD GOODS TRANSPORTATION. Military members can ship Household Goods from their old duty station to their new duty station. Authorized up to 18,000 pounds, but varies by grade & whether or not the member is with or without dependents.
DAMAGE CLAIMS. A member has 2 years from the date of household goods delivery to make a claim. Claims are processed through the Personal Property Office. Claims are limited to $40,000 depreciated value of the shipment regardless of weight.
LIMITED HOUSEHOLD GOODS TRANSPORTATION OVERSEAS. If the military member's orders state that government furnishings are provided at the overseas location, the Household Good Weight Shipping Allowance is limited to 2,500 pounds or 25 percent of HHG weight allowance, plus non-available items.
NONTEMPORARY STORAGE OF HOUSEHOLD GOODS. Military members can elect to have the military store all or part of their household goods on a permanent basis during the assignment, up to their maximum weight allowance.
ADDITIONAL CONSUMABLES ALLOWANCE. A separate allowance for annual shipment of up to 1,250 pounds per year of consumable items.
MOBILE HOME TRANSPORTATION. When moved by commercial transporter, reimbursement includes carrier charges, road fares & tolls, permits & charges for pilot car. If towed by POC, reimbursement is for actual costs.
TRANSPORTATION OF PRIVATELY OWNED VEHICLES (POV). Military members can ship POVs in conjunction with many overseas assignments (and back). The military can apply restrictions on this entitlement. Military members may also be authorized shipment for a replacement POV during any 4-year period, while assigned overseas.
Members are also authorized mileage reimbursement when driving the vehicle to the authorized port for shipment, and when picking up the vehicle from the authorized receiving port.
POV STORAGE. A member is authorized storage of a POV when ordered to an overseas assignment to which POV transportation isn't permitted, or sent TDY on a contingency operation, for more than 30 days.
