Staying Organized

        During your PCS it is very important to stay organized, especially an OCONUS PCS because you can't just throw your file box full of important papers in your car as you drive to your next duty station. You will receive a ton of paperwork and will need to carry all of it with you during the entire process. I found the best way to stay organized was to get an accordion file folder. My OCD self labeled the different tabs:        
 
Orders: Multiple copies of orders with all amendments

ID: All identification papers – social security cards, birth certificates, marriage license, passports, adoption papers, divorce papers, child support. Any and all documents that would be hard or a pain in the rear to get back.

Flight: Any and all paperwork that has anything to do with you flight to Germany.

HHG/UB: All paperwork and copies of inventory listings for household goods and unaccompanied baggage, as well as a list of high value items.

POV: All paperwork and copies of any documents for the car (title, registration, insurance cards) and all shipping/inspection documents.

Receipts: All receipts for travel that may be reimbursed after arrival in Germany.

POA: All power of attorneys 

Medical: All medical records for any family member.

        
         The file folder with all these important papers will need to go everywhere you do! You never know when an office may need a copy of something. Keep all important paperwork with you during the PCS. Every time I left the house I had it with me. Anything else related to family, house, insurance, jobs, school records should be in the folder as well. This folder will become your life! And yes, take it on the plane with you! I am now afraid to undo my folder and put it back in our file box, mostly because my husband doesn't have OCD like I do and feels that he can place any paper anywhere in the box. But just because you have your HHG delivered and your file box back I would still keep it all together. There are still things to do once you arrive in Germany that you will need a lot of these papers for. For example, I went to the claims office yesterday to start the claims process on damaged or broken items and they needed almost every piece of paper for our HHG. I was able to open up my folder and pull out every paper that I signed or was given from the movers. And remember the talk about getting your POA? Well when I went to the office the lady kind of looked at me as if I wasn't allowed because I'm not the soldier but don't you worry! I had my POA and will be doing the entire process myself! 

Orders

       Your sponsor (the Active Duty spouse is often referred to as a Sponsor by the way), or you have finally received orders. You know, that official piece of paper. Well you need to make sure you understand what they mean. I bet there are a lot of spouses, and sponsors that may not understand everything, all that tiny writing at the bottom that tells you your travel days and what you're allowed to do. Don't be afraid to ask someone what it all means, it's there for a reason. First, make sure all dependents are on the sponsors orders. When my husband got orders to Germany, we were not married yet, so my name was not on his orders. Be sure to double check this or you will not be able to do anything. We then had to get an ammendment adding my name.  I’m sure one of the first things on your mind is “where will we be living?” I know I wanted to know right away! Do not stress about this right now. First thing first, get a POA (power of attorney) which can be received from the legal or JAG office, if you, the dependent, want to do anything on your own. I know my husband is very capable to getting things done on his own but I'm slightly OCD and want things done my way and organized my way. And I'm sure my mother is laughing as she reads this because she knows how true that is :) Back to POA, there are different types of POA’s. There is one specifically for shipping/receiving HHG (household goods). You have to have a POA for shipping HHG to even make an appointment to set up the packing of your stuff. If you plan to ship/receive your POV (personally owned vehicle) without your Sponsor, make sure you have a POA for your car! There is also a general POA which allows you to do pretty much anything, but not everything (buy/sell a car, ship HHG, Ship POV, take out loans… etc) but be sure you discuss this with your Sponsor so you fully understand the responsibility of having the option to do anything in his/her name. Yes, there are wives who have a general POA and when their husbands deploy they buy/sell a car without discussing it with their husband. They take complete advantage of it!... You can also get a POA for anything specific. As I'm typing my husband is getting a POA for me to file claims. They will make a POA for anything and it's a quick process so go get one!
          While going through the process of PCSing, be sure to ALWAYS have a copy of your Sponsor’s orders! More than one copy would be better because some offices ask for a copy and never give them back. I think at one time I had 17 copies... Also know your Sponsor’s social security number. The sponsor is the one on the orders so the last four digits of their social will be asked for multiple times. If you are the spouse and you're doing all this be ready when you walk in an office, those happy and cheery civilian employees will immediately ask you "is your sponsor here?" while you're standing there alone... Then they will say you can't do anything without them and that's when you say, not true! I have my POA! 

Refresh
1. understand orders
2. check names on orders
3. get your POA
4. always have a copy of orders on you!
5. know your sponsors social

Starter

        Your sponsor has received orders for Germany! Or maybe you are the sponsor. Does everyone know what a sponsor is? It's the service member and the spouse and kids are called dependents. Not sure why because if anyone is dependent it's NOT an Army spouse! So this could be your 6th move it could be your first but if you've never been overseas it's going to be different than a regular CONUS (continental united states) PCS move. First off you're probably excited! Whoo we get to live in another country, we get to travel all over Europe! Which is true, but you have to make it there first! Our move to Germany was our first PCS so I had the joy of learning everything for a regular move AND it was overseas! And of course my husband was in training so I got to do it all by myself! You're probably wondering "where are we going to live? How do I get my car there? What appliances will work over there," if you even knew it was different! ha and should I bring everything? I didn't know anything about living in another country and I sure wish I had had someone break it down and explain everything. Lucky you, that's what I'm here for! I originally wanted to write a book but I like to be a little less formal and not worry so much about grammar and proper writing technique. Maybe later in life I'll get around to it! I know I would have liked a book handed to me with everything I needed to know! But anyway, i'll break down the steps of our PCS move. Please remember that EVERY MOVE IS DIFFERENT! We moved from Ft. Leonard Wood to Vilseck, Germany, even if you're doing the exact same move something will probably be different. Leave it up to the Army to continually change things! 

PCS to Germany

The PCS to Germany part of my blog will have tips and hints to a successful PCS overseas, mostly Germany. It happened to be that our very first PCS was to Germany, so even though I don't have a lot of experience with moving with the Army, I did write down everything I learned. I originally wanted to write a book, a PCS handbook about moving to Germany. I then realized what Army wife, especially with kids, has time to try and find a handbook in the PX about moving. I've never seen one so I wouldn't expect other wives to go looking for one. I did a lot of my asking questions online: Facebook, Google, other Army wives blogs etc... I felt like none of them pin pointed exactly what I needed to know. So I will take the PCS process step by step and share my experiences.