Peak moving season underway

  • Published
  • Logistics Readiness Squadron
ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. --  Summer is moving season, and the Department of Defense is anticipating the largest amount of property movement requests for the year from now through July 31.

Floyd Haralson, Headquarters Air Force Personal Property and Passenger Travel Policy, said the Air Force Joint Personal Property Shipping Office staff is doing everything it can to manage the high volume of shipments and accommodate the requests of Airmen and their families who are permanently changing stations.

According to Haralson, the DoD has to compete for Transportation Service Providers who are also serving customers from outside the DoD. Although it is not always possible, Airmen that can change their report-not-later-than-date until after the summer months are encouraged to do so, in order for TSPs to better accommodate their preferred moving dates.

Airmen and their families who are able to pack and transport their household goods themselves can also choose a Personally Procured Move.

There are a number of PPM options from which Airmen can choose.

One PPM option allows Airmen to be reimbursed up to what it would cost the government to facilitate their move, and another option gives Airmen the opportunity to receive additional money if their move costs less than 95 percent of what the government estimates it will cost.

Haralson said the amount of weight individual Airmen are approved to ship, the actual weight of the household goods being shipped, and the distance between their current and next duty station affects how much money they will receive.

As part of a PPM, Airmen and their families can also opt to pack a portable moving and storage container themselves that will then be picked up by a moving company and delivered to their next destination. Most moving companies provide many other services, including help with packing and unloading.

The 28th Logistics Readiness Squadron Traffic Management Office staff appreciates everyone's understanding, as they are work hard to meet the needs of Ellsworth Airmen and their families.

For more information, or to discuss the advantages of a PPM, call TMO at (605) 385-6597/5828.