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One of the best-known facts about the military is that you will be moving in the military a lot. Military personnel are moved from base to base depending on the needs of their branch and their job, and it can be extremely difficult to settle in one place, only to uproot and go elsewhere a year or two later.

How Is Moving While in the Military Different from Moving as a Civilian?

Every year, more than half a million active-duty U.S. service members move in the United States. In general, Permanent Change of Station (PCS) orders are given for the summer months. Peak military moving season runs from late May through August each year, with the highest volume scheduled between Memorial Day and the 4th of July. It’s a good thing if you have children, as a move during the summer months will mean minimal disruptions while the school year is underway; however, it can be extremely stressful to attempt to get a move date that is optimal for you and your family.

Unless you’re living in government-provided housing, moving while in the military is similar to moving as a civilian. One major exception is your ability to call on your base transportation office. The actual agency that will handle your relocation will vary depending on your branch of service, but the sooner you apply for your specific move dates, the more likely you will have those dates approved.

Tips for Making Your Military Move Easier

Regardless of whether you are civilian or military, moving is never a simple task. But moving in the military brings up some unique challenges. In addition to meeting with the base transportation office, here are some tips for handling your military relocation, making the process easier along the way:

• Reach out to your new location’s family center. Learn everything you can about the area (if it’s a new area to you) and what it offers, as well as any relocation assistance programs offered by the center.
• If you live in government quarters, notify them as soon as possible about your new orders. Make sure you understand their requirements for clearing out your living space.
• Make an appointment with your base’s finance office. They will help you learn about any relocation benefits you may qualify for, as well as ease the financial strain moving may cause you.
• Make a checklist. There is no surer way of causing yourself unnecessary stress than not having things organized. Check out various sites like Military.com for examples of checklists you can use to keep on top of the details without getting too overwhelmed.

A Military Move Doesn’t Have to Be Difficult!

Unlike moving while a civilian, moving while in the military presents multiple challenges. One is that you may have a limited amount of time before you are required to relocate. Another challenge is knowing what to pack, where to store things you won’t need, and how to locate resources that will help you. Fortunately, there are both online and on-base resources that can assist you with relocation benefits, getting your optimal moving dates, and information about where you are moving to so you can acclimate to your new surroundings.

Here at Nilson Van & Storage, we want to help make your military relocation as smooth as possible. When you’re planning to move, contact us for an estimate. We will do a visual survey; this way if you are moving out of state we should be able to provide you a guaranteed priced quote. And not just a guess, based on minimal information. Contact our team of moving in the military experts to get started today.

As your business grows, it may eventually be necessary for you to go through a commercial move or business relocation to make room for new employees or departments. Unless you are a small, one-person business with a desk and chair, there will likely be a lot of office furniture to move between your old location and your new one. While it may be tempting to disassemble, move, and reassemble your office furniture on your own, this also increases the chances of injury. When relocating your business, you might consider hiring professionals to do the work for you.

Why You Should Hire Pro Movers for Your Commercial Move

If you have ever tried to move your desk by yourself, you know it’s heavy! Desks, filing cabinets, and certain types of chairs—all of these items can be prohibitively difficult for one person to move without risking serious injury. And even if you conscript your co-workers to help with the move, all you’ll do is put more people at risk of injury.

Furthermore, what about the building itself? All it takes is one errant desk corner hitting the wall just right and you’ve got damage to the building, which can get expensive to repair. Fortunately, you don't have to worry about either of these potential scenarios when you hire a moving company.

Moving companies not only have highly trained technicians, but they also utilize gear and equipment designed to make relocation safer and to prevent damage to the furniture or either building as furniture is transported. Movers will carefully remove and (if needed) disassemble your office furniture, transport it to your new location, place pieces where you tell them to, and reassemble any furniture that was disassembled.

How to Make Things Easier During Your Business Relocation

Relocating an office is never an easy task, regardless of whether you’re moving across the street or across town. But by taking these simple steps, you can make the transition as smooth as possible:

• A day or two before the move, give each employee a box for personal belongings. Have them wrap fragile items, place pens and other small items into envelopes to keep them from getting lost, and encourage employees to consolidate their boxes to save space. Also, encourage employees to take personal belongings home rather than keep them at the office during the move.
• Upright file cabinets may be moved with all contents intact, but lateral cabinets will need to be emptied. Also, remember to unbolt any cabinets that are gang bolted together.
• Remove and secure the contents of supply cabinets. Lock, tape, or tie the doors closed.
• Remove books from bookshelves, standing them on end in cartons.
• Complete packing before moving day, as only authorized personnel should be present during the move for safety reasons.

A Commercial Relocation Is Easier Than You Think!

You might think you need to do all the heavy lifting yourself when relocating your office, both literally and figuratively. However, inexperienced movers cannot only cause themselves serious injury, they can risk damaging both furniture and the building, leading to expensive repairs or replacements. If you want to save both time and stress, you should look into hiring professional movers to get the job done safely and correctly.

When you book a corporate move with us here at Nilson Van & Storage, know that you’re paying for peace of mind and a job well done. Our highly trained movers will take care of your office furniture every step of the way. If you are ready to schedule your commercial move with the experts, contact our team today!

Moving in the military has its own set of rules and considerations that set it apart from any other kind of relocation. Because it’s an inherent part of your service, there will be many costs the military handles, but some moving expenses will be on you.

Breaking Down the Costs of Moving in the Military

The armed forces look at certain things within a soldier’s service to determine what he or she will receive as their DLA or Dislocation Allowance. This is the amount of military based money a service man or woman will have to spend on their relocation.

DLA is money that is separate from the mileage, per diem and other finances that are set aside for a move of station. You can ask for an advance to help you manage your expenses, but the actual amount you’ll get is based on your rank and how many dependents you have when you receive your relocation orders or PCS (Permanent Change of Station).

Arming Yourself for a Change of Military Station

There are certain steps you can take to ensure you are ready to transition to your next post:

• Know what the military will cover before you start your move by meeting with the Relocation, Transportation and Finance Offices of your division.
• Find out what restrictions there may be in getting an advance on your DLA, per diem and other things, should you need it.
• Confirm the various resources available to you should you need emergency funds during your move or go over budget.
• Make sure all the paperwork necessary to expedite reimbursement and more is in order.

Making the Most of Your New Marching Orders

No matter how many times you’ve been through a military move, do legwork as if it’s your first. Regulations are ever-changing which means new rules may apply to your current transfer.

Meet with the different offices in your organization and talk to Nilson Van & Storage about your move ASAP. Our team has years of experience relocating service men and women, so contact us to learn more about how you can make moving in the military as smooth as possible.