Updated October 25, 2024
Military service members know all about moving—whether it's a PCS (permanent change of station) move to a new duty station or a TDY (temporary duty) move for extended training, moving is a part of the job in the military. Knowing the differences between the types of moves and how much you can get reimbursed for moving household goods is a vital bit of knowledge. Let the pros at 1-800-PACK-RAT help you determine the best type of move for you to make while providing you with the best solutions to make your upcoming move as simple as possible.
What is a DITY Move?
A Personally Procured Move (PPM or DITY) allows you to get paid to pack and move your belongings yourself instead of having the government do it for you.
In every case, as you approach a DITY/Personally Procured Move, you should begin by meeting with a counselor from your base’s personal property or transportation office. Do not act without approval since this might result in a failure to be reimbursed for the move.
At this meeting, you will learn what your moving limits are. These are based on your rank and years of service, among other factors. You will learn what your maximum allowable moving weight is. You will also be shown the Government Constructed Cost (GCC), which is the amount it would cost the government to move your personal property in a full-service government-procured move. This gives you an idea of what you might save by making a DITY move.
Full vs. Partial DITY Move
Whether this is your first or tenth move, it's a good idea to review all your options to make the best choices for you and your loved ones.
Full DITY Moves
A full DITY move means the military member will handle the move themselves, using the guidelines provided by the personal property office. Methods include using their own vehicles, renting a traditional moving truck you have to drive yourself, hiring a moving company using portable moving and storage container solutions like 1-800-PACK-RAT for their moves, or hiring full-service movers. In this scenario, all the logistics of the move are coordinated by the military service member, and you get a monetary allowance in lieu of transportation services provided by the branch.
Based on the approved guidelines, the service member is then reimbursed for a percentage of what it would have cost the government to move your personal property in a full-service government-procured move. This gives you an idea of what you might save by making a DITY move. A full DITY is an excellent option if you wish to have total control over what you are packing, how you are packing the contents, where you are storing the containers if storage is needed, knowing when your stuff will be delivered, and having access to your things.
If storage is a necessity, 1-800-PACK-RAT’s containers are the best solution, as they provide both moving and storage services. You can pack all of your stuff at your pace, then have it moved to your new duty station or stored in our local storage facility until you need it next. We make it simple so you don’t have to stress or take extra steps to get your move done on your terms.
Partial DITY Moves
A partial DITY move allows the member to decide what they will move themselves and what the government movers will pack and transport. This is a good option if you do not need all your furniture, appliances, and other stuff right away. You can also save time by not having to worry about certain items being packed and transported. On the other hand, you may pocket more money by completing the entire move yourself.
With either a full FITY move or a partial DITY move, the good news is that you have a measure of control over the move, whether it is only a few things or all your things. An added benefit of a PPM is you get to keep the difference between what the government would have paid to hire professional movers and what you pay out of pocket for your move. That means that with some research and a little legwork, you could make money with a PPM move.
Estimating the Cost of Your Military Move
No one likes surprises when it comes to their move, so estimating the cost of your military move and how much you may be reimbursed for that move begins with good planning and some research. To get an accurate picture of how much your move may be, you will need:
> Estimate the weight: Make sure you have the necessary weight tickets for your move. You will need them when you apply for the PPM move, as these are the keys to getting your reimbursement after the move is completed. There are several ways to estimate the weight, from using online tools that help you calculate weight based on types of furniture to giving a number, like 1000 lbs, for each room’s worth of furniture. However, you choose to estimate the weight; the more accurate you are, the better.
> Estimate the distance: How far is it from your current address to the new one? Mileage is a crucial component, so be as accurate as you can in determining your move's distance.
DITY/PPM Move Calculator
The DITY/PPM moving calculator comes into play to estimate the cost of moving your personal property. The DITY move calculator tabulates all the criteria involved, including time, distance, rank, family members, weight, and other factors. The results give an estimate of the cost of your move. This will inform you of how much to allocate for a DITY move, including out-of-pocket expenses and additional moving services you can purchase.
Based on the DITY/PPM calculator for military moves results, you can decide if a full-service government-procured move is better or if you can manage a full or partial PPM move to come out ahead. Most of the online calculators have updated rates, as well. By utilizing these tools, you may estimate how much profit you could make if you arrange your assigned military move yourself. Get the most up-to-date DITY move calculator for 2024 and beyond here to see just how much of your moving expenses you can be reimbursed for.
How Much Will I Get Paid for My PPM Move?
There may not be a better time to do a PPM. In January 2021, the government permanently implemented the 100% reimbursement rate that it had instituted in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. This change ensures that military members can receive reimbursement up to 100% of the actual household goods transported for their allowable amount.
Is a DITY Move Worth It?
Whether a PPM or DITY move is worth it depends on your circumstances and how much control and flexibility you would like to have over your move. 1-800-PACK-RAT helps hundreds of military personnel complete their DITY move yearly, providing long-distance and local moving services.
With over 70 warehouse locations across the continental United States, we can help you get where you need to go. Many military families tell us that a DITY move is worth it because they know the stuff their family needs will be delivered on time and to the correct location.
Let 1-800-PACK-RAT Help With Your Next DITY Move
If you choose a DITY move, 1-800-PACK-RAT's portable moving and storage units can help you move quickly, safely, and with the most flexibility for temporary or long-term storage. The all-steel, weatherproof containers are also ground-level, making them easy to pack and unload, and feature barn-style doors that provide more packing space, won't jam in the case of contents shift, and are more secure against break-ins.
You can also leave all the driving to us, allowing you to spend more time with your family or explore your new home while leaving the stress of a long drive behind. We will make any local or long-distance move easier. Skip the rental truck and use the most flexible moving and storage solution available!
We are also happy to offer military members a discount on their moving and storage needs when they use promo code MILITARY10. No matter your situation, 1-800-PACK-RAT makes moving and storage simple for our military service members! Give us a call or go online for a free quote to get started today!