10 Military relocation terms you need to know

Are you and/or your partner anticipating a permanent change of station (PCS) soon? Along the way, you’ll encounter a dozen or so terms related to military relocation. If this is your first time to undergo such a process, this dictionary will help.

Here are some of the key military relocation terms (and their corresponding acronyms) you need to know.

---

1. Continental United States (CONUS)

As the name implies, Continental United States refers to all the 48 states located in the North American continent. As such, Alaska and Hawaii are not included, as well as U.S. territories like Puerto Rico and Guam. These places fall under the acronym “OCONUS,” which means “Outside Continental United States.”

2. Unaccompanied Baggage (UAB)

Unaccompanied baggage simply refers to the personal items that will be taken to your new station by air or ship. They will all be there when you arrive, as opposed to other household items, which will be shipped after you get to your destination.

Since shipping for these items are expedited, your unaccompanied baggage should only include must-have personal items.

3. Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS)

As part of the US military, your information (as well as your dependents’) will be available on this database. In the event of a permanent change of station, you’ll need to update your database information to reflect the relocation.

4. Transportation Office (TO)

The Transportation Office (TO) will take care of transporting your personal effects and household items to your new station. This office takes different names, depending on the branch you’re in.

The US Army called this the ITO or installation transportation office, while the Navy and Marine Corps call this the PPSO or personal property shipping office. The folks at the Coast Guard, meanwhile, christened this office as HHGSO or household goods shipping office, while it’s the TMO or traffic management office for the Air Force.

5. Personally Procured Move (PPM)

If you decide to manage your move yourself instead of relying entirely on a government-arranged household goods shipment, this is known as a Personally Procured Move, or PPM. You may still hear it referred to as a DITY, or do-it-yourself move, although PPM is the term commonly used today.

With a PPM, you can transport your belongings yourself or hire and manage your own moving company. You can also complete a partial PPM while having the military arrange the remainder of your household goods shipment.

For an eligible PPM, the government may pay up to 100% of what it would have cost to move the authorized weight using a government-arranged mover. 

6. Temporary Lodging Expense (TLE) and Temporary Lodging Allowance (TLA)

TLE and TLA both help with temporary lodging expenses during a PCS, but they apply in different situations.

• Temporary Lodging Expense (TLE) applies to qualifying temporary lodging associated with a PCS within the continental United States. Effective November 27, 2024, the standard maximum TLE period increased from 14 days to 21 days for service members moving to a permanent duty station within CONUS. Some locations may qualify for additional extensions.

• Temporary Lodging Allowance (TLA) applies to qualifying temporary lodging expenses in OCONUS locations. It’s intended to partially offset higher-than-normal expenses while a service member or dependent occupies temporary lodging overseas. The amount and authorized period depend on the circumstances of the move and location.

7. Dislocation Allowance (DLA)

A PCS often comes with expenses that are not completely covered by other travel and moving allowances. That’s where the Dislocation Allowance, or DLA, may come in.

DLA is intended to partially reimburse eligible service members for expenses involved in relocating a household because of a PCS or other qualified reasons. It is separate from other PCS allowances and, in some cases, may be paid in advance.

8. Government Constructed Costs (GCC)

Government Constructed Cost, or GCC, is especially important if you are considering a Personally Procured Move.

The GCC represents the estimated cost the government would have incurred to move your authorized belongings using a government-arranged moving company. It is used when calculating the potential payment for a PPM.

9. Monetary Allowance in Lieu of Transportation (MALT)

For your relocation, you can opt to move to your new duty station using your privately-owned vehicle/s (POV). In this case, the government will give you an allowance, depending on the distance between your old duty station and your new one.

Effective July 1, 2026, the PCS MALT rate is $0.235 per mile. Because mileage rates can change in the future, always check the Defense Travel Management Office for the current rate when planning your PCS.

10. Defense Personal Property System (DPS)

The Defense Personal Property System, or DPS, is an important part of managing many military moves today.

Service members and their families can use DPS to create and manage eligible personal property shipments, which can include household goods, unaccompanied baggage, and Personally Procured Moves. Depending on the type of move, DPS may also be used to track shipments and file claims.

Do you need some military relocation assistance in Las Vegas?

The services of a military relocation realtor will help. Fortunately, you don’t need to look further. It would be an honor to help you smoothen out your transfer.

Get in touch with me today at 702.419.3212 or send me an email and tell me all about your impending move. I can help you create a PCS move checklist and find you your home in your new duty station.