RELO Roundtable…a gathering place

For folks who have stuff to move and the professionals who can help them

Military Moves

In December, 2008, the Surface Deployment and Distribution Command (SDDC) announced that it was changing the name of the military’s quality move management program that it operates for the benefit of the American Armed Forces from 'Families First' to 'DP3' due to a trademark issue. 

The SDDC manages the Department of Defense (DOD) $1.7 billion Personal Property Program, and it is responsible for moving more that 500,000 shipments annually for the military Service departments, DOD agencies, and the U.S. Coast Guard.
 
The resources listed on this page are for the benefit of members in each of the military services, however, limitations of the Defense Personal Property System (DPS) during the testing phase means that some members can not be moved under the current provisions of the DP3 program. Be sure to check your status if unsure.  Full roll-out is expected sometime in 2009.  
 

Army Wife Talk Radio – Sometimes the best way to deal with the stress of an upcoming relocation or deployment is to talk about it. Army Wife Talk Radio (AWTR) is the original internet talk radio show designed specifically for Army wives by Army wives.  Katie Couric called Tara Crooks the Oprah of the military. “She's part Oprah, part Dear Abby.” 
 
Commander Navy Installations Command (CNIC) – Fleet And Family Support Services – Fleet and Family Support Programs (FFSP) support individual and family readiness and adaptation to life in the Navy. Navy FFSP is organized into three sub-functional areas: Deployment Readiness, Career Support and Retention, and Crisis Response. Across all three sub-functions, services include information and referral, individual clinical and non-clinical consultation and educational classes and workshops.
 
Jenny the Military Spouse by Julie L. Negron. – "The only comic strip about life as a military spouse… "Jenny" follows the adventures of a young Air Force spouse determined to overcome the challenges of a military "PCSing" lifestyle. Drawn from the real lives of both contributors and the cartoonist, Jenny's experiences reflect the humor, ingenuity, and sheer determination necessary to be successful as the spouse of an active duty military member."  Jenny comics are free for use in military newspapers and military spouses' club newsletters.

Life Lessons of a Military Wife – Written by an Army brat, current military member and dedicated wife of a veteran soldier, this blog contains a ‘bucket full of life’s lessons’ about 'Moving/PCSing Overseas’.

Military.com Relocation Center – Military.com's free membership connects servicemembers, military families and veterans to all the benefits of service.

Military HOMEFRONT – MilitaryHOMEFRONT is the Department of Defense website for official Military Community and Family Policy (MC&FP) program information, policy and guidance designed to help troops and their families, leaders, and service providers. The Office of Communications (OC) publishes the MC&FP eMagazine and- maintains several websites, resources and applications.

The Plan My Move tools include information about entitlements and benefits, points of contact, checklists, planning tools, and information on education and employment. Features include:

  • Customizable Calendar

  • To Do Lists

  • Departure & Arrival Checklists

  • Overseas specific information

  • Reliable resources focused on the community outside the gate

  • Installation Overviews including local weather, maps, photos and informative topics such as household goods,  check-in procedures, employment and child care

  • Assistance moving with a family member who has special needs

MilitaryINSTALLATIONS – Contains complete contact information on military installations worldwide, including details on installation programs and services; mapping data and driving directions; links to local community points of interest; and the ability to search the web for additional information on the installation itself or the surrounding area.   Site interfaces directly with Plan My Move

Move.mil – Gateway to the Department of Defenses (DOD) household goods portal. Information pertains to Permanent Change of Station (PCS) and Personally Procured Move (PPM) shipment types.  

SDDC Personal Property Program – Explanation of the DP3 program, timeline for execution and objectives to meet the needs of all users.

USTRANSCOM – USTRANSCOM is responsible for providing global mobility for its three military component commands — the Air Force's Air Mobility Command, Scott AFB, IL; the Navy's Military Sealift Command, Washington, D.C.; and the Army's Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command, Alexandria, VA. This link includes access to the Defense Transportation Regulations (DTR) 4500.9-R-Parts 1-7.