Boxes, cleaning supplies, packing tape and house hunting – while the average civilian family moves every six years or so, this rate is often doubled for families in the military. Military families essentially lead an almost gypsy lifestyle and become experts at relocation.
Anticipating your next military move is of vital importance, as when you do finally get your new orders there may be a respite of just a couple of weeks before you have to leave for your new post. The most successful moving military family is the one that is able to travel light. When they are given orders for a new move, soldiers also get instructions about military-sponsored relocation.
There are various professional and personal factors that can come into play at this point, including the new duty location, the rank of the soldier in question and the number of dependents they have. Such factors are responsible for determining the reimbursement for per diem rates, dislocation allowance, temporary lodging expenses and other reimbursable expenses. You should keep hold of any and all receipts that relate to your move and save them in a central place such as a shoebox or a separate file folder.
Other important documents such as your marriage certificates, birth certificates, military orders, power of attorney, wills and medical documents should be kept with you in your luggage or in another accessible place.
