Volume 6, No. 2

CURRENT ISSUES FOR ARMY LEADERS

2004

Packing UpThe New HomeGetting Your Goods

Packing UpThe New HomeGetting Your Goods

Acting Secretary of the Army R. L. BROWNLEE

Army Chief of Staff GEN PETER J. SCHOOMAKER

Chief of Public Affairs BG ROBERT E. GAYLORD

Chief, Command Information COL JAMES A. ALLEN

Editor in Chief LTC ROBERT ALI

Special Products Editor BETH REECE

Creative Design and Production IMAGE MEDIA SERVICES, INC.,McLean, Va.

Printing and Distribution GATEWAY PRESS INC.,Louisville, Ky.

Special thanks to: BETTYE DONLEYRelocation Readiness ProgramManagerU.S. Army Community andFamily Support Center,Alexandria, Va.

Soldiers PRODUCTION STAFF

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2 Hot Topics

Hot Topics – Current Issues for Army Leaders is a U.S. Army publicationproduced by the Office of the Chief of Public Affairs. Its purpose is to guideand inform Army leaders and trainers in discussing current or controversialtopics. A contract printer distributes Hot Topics as an insert to Soldiersmagazine. Hot Topics is in the public domain (except for “by permission” andcopyright items) and may be reproduced locally without obtaining furtherpermission.

Your comments are welcome. They tell us if we are reaching ourintended audience and help us decide which topics to cover. Write to: HotTopics, c/o Soldiers Magazine, 9325 Gunston Rd., Ste. S-108, Fort Belvoir, VA22060-5581. Phone (DSN) 656-4486 or (703) 806-4486. Send e-mail tosoldiers@belvoir.army.mil. You can obtain Hot Topics on the Internet atwww.soldiersmagazine.com.

TAKING care of Soldiers and their families meansmore than ensuring the programs and services theyneed are available at their installations. It alsomeans providing timely, targeted assistance whenthey take on the challenges of a military move.

Reassignments and relocations are a fact ofArmy life for Soldiers and their families.Permanent change of station moves can beunsettling for everyone involved as old friendsand routines are left behind for an unknown,new destination.

An important resource to help Army familiesthrough these busy and taxing periods is the U.S.Army Community and Family Support Center'sRelocation Readiness Program. Through thisimportant program, and in concert with ourpartners in housing and transportation, Soldiersand their families have expert advice, practicaltips and caring professionals ready to help makeany move easier.

There are more than 250 of theseprofessionals at 102 Army installationsworldwide providing more than 200,000welcome packets, 140,000 lending-closet itemsand conducting more than 30,000 orientationclasses every year. These experts know theimportance of looking after the needs of everyfamily member, including children and pets,during a move.

The program has grown tremendously tomeet the expanding needs of Soldiers andfamilies since its inception. What began as a fewservices in 1965 has blossomed intocomprehensive and varied services includingnewcomer orientations, pre-departurecounseling and automated destination housinginformation through Army Housing OneStop.

So when it's time for your next permanentchange of station move, use the resources you'llfind in this guide and make sure you visit theArmy's Relocation Readiness Programprofessionals at your installation ArmyCommunity Service. They will help you travel asmooth road to your next destination.

BG Robert L. DeckerCommanderU.S. Army Community andFamily Support Center

MOVING can spark great anxiety and stress at a time when there is much to do between leaving oneduty station and settling into another. The emotional impact can be hard for every member of thefamily. Spouses may fear the search for new employment. Children may resent having to leave behindfriends and adapt to new school settings. And Soldiers may feel guilty for putting their families throughyet another move.

The high cost of moving can make relocation even harder. Many Soldiers report that the costs theypay to move exceed the compensation they receive. Research also shows that single parents, families offirst-term Soldiers, and those with two or more children have more struggles than other families duringrelocation. The same is true for families with foreign-born and working spouses.

The Army’s Relocation Readiness Program helps Soldiers and families meet the challenges ofmoving. From lending closets to cultural-adaptation classes, RRP counselors can help improve thesuccess of your move. It is a one-stop resource providing information on topics ranging from housingand changing schools to moving overseas and financial assistance.

Start your move with a trip to the local RRP office for these services:

o Up-to-date orientations on the new duty station

o Newcomers’ briefings

o Loan closets

o Financial counseling

o Sponsorship

o Relocation planning

o Referral services

The Army's focus on force stabilization also plays a role in relocation. The goal of stabilization is toprovide increased levels of readiness and combat effectiveness for Army units by implementing an arrayof turbulence-reducing manning initiatives. Force stabilization will therefore reduce moves and providepredictability for Soldiers and families.

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4 Hot Topics

AS soon as you get orders, get a “moving” notebookand start planning. Make a master to-do list andestablish a timetable that extends from the beginningto the end of the move. Use this checklist as a generalguide.

o Start collecting information about the new dutylocation with a visit to the Relocation ReadinessOffice.

o Sit down as a family and discuss feelings aboutthe move.

o Explain to children why you have to move andprovide as much information as possible abouttheir new home.

o Deal with goodbyes and express sadness so youcan move on emotionally as well as physically.Consider throwing a moving party and letchildren create address and autograph bookswith friends.

o Make a list of things you’re looking forward to atthe new location and good memories from thelocation you’re leaving.

o Get approval from your supervisor and unitcommander for permissive TDY to go on ahouse-hunting trip.

o Notify the post office, creditors, insurancecompanies, automatic-investment programs andthe Internal Revenue Service of your change ofaddress as soon as possible.

o Know the bank name, address and accountnumber for each of your financial accounts.

o Do not close financial accounts until new oneshave been established at the new location andany allotments and/or electronic fund transfershave been shifted to the new account.

o Have money immediately available during andafter the move, but avoid pay advances unlessthey’re absolutely necessary.

o Save all documents and receipts relating to themove in case you have some unreimbursablemoving expenses that may be deducted onincome tax forms.

o Comparison shop for new insurance policies,especially for auto coverage.

o If you are transferring overseas, ask your autoinsurance company to provide a letter statingthat you have been claim-free for one, two orthree years. This may decrease your insurancerate by up to 30 percent.

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o Obtain reference letters fromcurrent utility, cable and tele-phone companies to reducesecurity-deposit costs at the newlocation.

o Identify items you aren’t takingalong. Donate them to charityor schedule a yard sale.

o Make a video of your householdgoods for insurance purposes.

o Arrange for someone to care foryour children and pets onmoving day.

o Find out what your responsibili-ties will be on moving day, aswell as what the movers’responsibilities will be.

o Use cleaning supplies and frozenfoods that can’t be taken on themove.

o Make sure your family’s IDcards are up to date.

o Make lodging arrangements fortime spent at your current dutystation, after outprocessing withhousing. Also make arrange-ments for lodging at the newduty station.

o Determine how you will providehealthcare for your dependentsat the new duty station. If youare currently enrolled in TricarePrime, stay enrolled at the oldduty station until you arrive atyour new duty station and havecontacted the Tricare ServiceCenter to transfer enrollment. Ifyou are not enrolled in TricarePrime, learn about healthcarefacilities available at the newduty station.

o Make sure all immunizations foryou and your family are current,especially if traveling overseas.

o Obtain children’s most recentschool records.

CREATE an “important-document kit” to hand-carry toyour new location. Include:

o Birth certificates,

o Social Security numbers,

o Military and insurance ID cards,

o A copy of medical, dental and optical records,

o School transcripts and referral letters,

o Marriage and divorce papers,

o Pet immunization records,

o PCS orders,

o Power-of-attorney records,

o State and federal income tax records,

o Deeds,

o Copies of wills,

o Bank account and credit card information,

o A list of stocks, bonds, mutual funds and otherinvestments,

o Car registration and title,

o Adoption papers,

o Letters of credit from previous utility companies towaive utility deposits,

o Passports,

o A copy of your last leave and earnings statement,and

o Spouse’s resumes, certificates, professional licensesand transcripts.

6 Hot Topics

THE Army pays Soldiers certain allowances to helpoffset the cost of moving. Learn which allowances youare eligible for, then create a relocation budget thataccounts for utility deposits, home-closing costs, travelexpenditures and vehicle servicing. Also start anexpense log that documents the amount you spend.This can be a reference when planning future moves.

Advance Pay — Soldiers may draw up to threemonths’ advance pay, which is usually repaid in equalinstallments over 12 months. An advance housingallowance may also be paid if money for rental housingis needed and the unit commander approves it. Thisallowance is in addition to advance pay and thedislocation allowance. Military finance officials adviseSoldiers to keep pay advances to a minimum, sincepaying them back can cause financial hardships.

Dislocation Allowance — Soldiers and familiesare entitled to a dislocation allowance to offset suchhidden costs as rent deposits and utility hookups.Single Soldiers are eligible for the dislocation allowancewhen they cannot check into government quarters attheir new base or when authorized by their unitcommanders to occupy nonmilitary housing at theirpermanent duty stations. Current rates are available atwww.dtic.mil/perdiem/dla.html.

Mileage Allowance — The Monetary Allowance inLieu of Transportation covers the cost of driving to anew duty station. It is computed using tables of mileagebetween the old and new duty stations. MALT is alsopaid to those going overseas if they drive from theirstateside permanent-duty stations to the port ofembarkation for a transcontinental plane or ship, andfrom the port of debarkation to the new duty station.Family members driving second cars to their new dutystations are also authorized MALT. Prior authorizationis required for third cars.

Money for Travel and Lodging — Soldiers mayask the government to provide tickets, vouchers orreimbursement for air, train and bus travel. The reim-bursable amount cannot exceed what the governmentwould have paid, and original receipts must be kept.Check with the transportation or travel offices to besure the government will pick up the tab.

Move-in Housing Allowance — Soldiers assignedto many overseas locations can receive the MIHA tohelp meet expenses for major appliances or otherimprovements, or to pay nonrefundable, rent-relatedtaxes and fees. Overseas apartments often come withoutsuch basic furnishings as kitchen cabinets and lightfixtures.

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Go House HuntingAt commanders’ discretion, Soldiers may be granted up to 10 days offwith pay to look for housing at a new duty station. Travel will be underpermissive TDY status, and travel expenses will not be paid.

To be eligible for MIHA, Soldiers must also beeligible for the overseas housing allowance. Rates areset by location. To apply for MIHA, complete DDForms 2556 and 2367, which are available at overseaspersonnel-support offices. You will need receipts.

Per Diem Allowance — Along with dislocationand mileage allowances, food and lodging costs areprovided for while on the move, both Stateside andoverseas. This allowance is paid at a flat daily rate thatdepends on the means of travel. The rate ranges from$25 to $50 per person.

Temporary Lodging Allowance — Newarrivals at overseas bases are eligible for TLA to

partly offset the costs of temporary housing andmeals, even if they move into temporary govern-ment quarters. The amount depends on family size,local per diem rate, actual cost of quarters, whetherthe quarters have cooking facilities and otherallowances the Soldier is receiving. TLA is paid in10- or 15-day increments, and usually has a 60-daylimit for those arriving and a 10-day limit for thosedeparting.

Temporary Lodging Expense — TLE is providedto offset the costs of temporary lodging and mealsincurred at Stateside locations. TLE amounts can be asmuch as $110 per day.

8 Hot Topics

THE first step in arranging for movement of house-hold goods is visiting the command’s Personal Prop-erty Shipping Office. The PPSO arranges with amoving company to pack, load and ship your property.The earlier you go to the PPSO, the better your chanceof moving on the date you prefer, since dates areassigned on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Family members should be included in PPSO visits,especially when the Soldiers’ spouse will be the only onepresent for the packing and loading of property.

Take the following to the PPSO:

o A choice of moving dates,

o Estimated date of arrival at the new duty station,

o A list of large or unusual items,

o Six copies of permanent-change-of-station ordersfor Stateside moves or 12 copies for overseasmoves,

o A power of attorney or authorization letter ifsomeone other than the Soldier will handle themove, and

o A phone number where the Soldier or family canbe notified upon arrival of the personal propertyat the new assignment.

Weight AllowancesPPSO counselors can advise you on how much

weight you are authorized to ship, the places you areauthorized to ship from and the number of shipments

you are allowed according to the Joint Federal TravelRegulation. Factors governing weight allowancesinclude the Soldier’s pay grade, whether or not theSoldier will be joined by family members and thelocation of the new assignment.

The Soldier — not the transportation officer orcarrier — is responsible for staying within the weightallowance. If the weight of items packed, shipped orstored exceeds the weight allowance, the Soldier mustpay all charges connected with the excess weight, whichcan range from hundreds to thousands of dollars. Aneasy and fairly dependable method for making a weightestimate is to figure 1,000 pounds per room, then addthe estimated weight of large appliances and items inthe garage, storage rooms, basement, etc. Weighttickets from previous moves may also help.

Accompanied BaggageAccompanied baggage consists of items carried by

you or your family members during the move. Theseinclude extra uniforms, personal papers, and high-valueor difficult-to-replace items.

Unaccompanied BaggageUnaccompanied baggage consists of items needed

immediately upon arrival at the destination, such asseasonal clothing, cooking utensils, linens and aportable television. It is packed and shipped separatelyfrom household goods, but charged against the totalweight allowance. Unaccompanied baggage is typicallyused for overseas moves only.

Remove professional items and authorized consumables from the restof your property so they may be packed, marked and weighed separately.When properly listed on the inventory, these items do not count againstthe weight allowance. Fixtures, furniture and sports equipment are notconsidered professional items.

Hot Topics 9

THE government also authorizes temporary and long-term storage, depending on the type of orders issued.Long-term storage is generally used when a Soldiergets orders for an overseas location where the amountof household goods is restricted, or when the Soldierchooses not to take all of his property.

TO protect against the possibility of loss or damage,Soldiers must decide whether to purchase additionalprotection from the government or through a privateinsurance carrier.

If your property is lost or damaged during a move,

SOLDIERS may ship one privately owned vehicle atgovernment expense to and from overseas duty sta-tions. Not all cars can be taken overseas, however, ashost nations have their own requirements for thecondition of arriving cars. Also, upkeep and parts forAmerican-made autos may be difficult to find in someoverseas locations.

Boats, boat trailers and mobile homes are

SOLDIERS are authorized to take their pets withthem when moving, but pets travel at their owners’expense. The cost is tax-deductible and depends onthe animal’s size.

Storage

Insurance

Shipping Autos

Shipping Pets

Short-term storage is used when a Soldier’sproperty has arrived at the new duty station butthe Soldier has not yet moved into permanenthousing. The initial storage entitlement is 90days, but can usually be extended an additional90 days.

you may file a claim against the government. However,the maximum statutory amount the government canpay on a single claim is $40,000. Despite this amount,there are maximum amounts allowable for specifictypes and categories of property.

sometimes authorized for movement, but the weightoften exceeds the Soldier’s allowance. PPSO counse-lors can advise Soldiers on entitlements, responsibili-ties and documents needed for shipping or storingPOVs.

The Surface Deployment and Distribution Com-mand allows Soldiers to track the movement of theirvehicles at www.whereismypov.com.

Consult with airlines and animal-welfare organiza-tions to determine the best type of carrier. Also checkwith airlines and a veterinarian about vaccination andquarantine rules, which differ from country to country.

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DON’T want to let a stranger move your belongings?Consider a DITY — do-it-yourself move.

Soldiers who conduct DITY moves for less thanthe government would have paid are awarded cashincentives. The award equals 95 percent of what itwould have cost a commercial mover, minus the actualcost the Soldier paid to conduct the move.

The three methods of transporting your householdgoods are by personal vehicle, rental vehicle or a

IF you are selling a home, work with a reliable real-estate agentwho will advertise frequently, screen prospects and show yourhouse in a professional manner. Also, take care of obvious repairand maintenance chores before your house goes on the market.Your real-estate agent can help you determine which jobs aremost important to achieve a fast sale. For example: paint, fixleaky faucets, shampoo carpets, clean kitchen and bathrooms,repair appliances, refinish/wax floors and spruce up the yard.

IF you plan to buy a home at your new duty station,pre-qualifying at your bank or credit union for a homeloan can save time and cut down on last-minute stress.Also consider attending a home-buying seminar.

Follow these tips when seeking a home:

o Know what you are looking for in terms ofprice, type of home, general location andneighborhood.

commercial carrier (you load, they drive).To qualify for a DITY move, Soldiers must first

obtain authorization from the PPSO. When submittinga claim, Soldiers will need weight tickets for the truckwhen it is both empty and loaded, as well as receipts forall other expenditures.

You can have a commercial move and also a DITYmove for items you will need immediately or prefer tohandle yourself. Contact the PPSO for assistance.

o Take your time and visit as many homes aspossible.

o Learn about taxes, schools, recreation, shopping,transportation, etc., by speaking with real-estatebrokers, neighborhood residents, and officials ofcommunity organizations and city halls.

o Before you buy, check for a homeowner’swarranty.

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UPON receipt of PCS orders, Soldiers should report tothe housing office for housing-referral services at theirnew duty stations. The housing referral office maintainsrental and sales listings within commuting distance of

ARMY Housing OneStop was launched last fall by theHousing Division of the Office of the Assistant Chief ofStaff for Installations Management, Facilities and HousingDirectorate. The Web site, www.onestoparmy.com,centralizes information about Army family housing atinstallations throughout the world.

Users can see pictures and floor plans of Army housingat various installations, check their status on housingwaiting lists, and learn the steps for submitting serviceorders or checking the status of existing service orders.While Soldiers should still inprocess with their localhousing offices, the Army Housing OneStop Web site canbe a main resource of information about moving andfinding a new home.

Links include:

o Checklists for moving,

o Do-It-Yourself (DITY) moves,

o Household goods and personal property,

o Moving pets,

o Moving expenses and allowances,

o Tips for renting, buying and selling a home,

o Military Assistance Program’s Relocation Station,

o Worldwide Department of Defense installations, and

o SITES relocation information.

the installation. HRO representatives can adviseSoldiers on the availability of specific housing units andhelp mediate in tenant-landlord disputes when re-quested.

YOU may be asked to sign an application for a leaseand to pay a deposit upon finding a place you want tolive. This document isn’t the actual lease, so make sureit includes a statement indicating that the moneyyou’ve deposited to hold the unit will be refunded ifthe unit does not become available within a stated timeperiod. Get a receipt and a copy of the application.

Before moving in you may be asked to pay asecurity deposit, usually equal to one month’s rent.The cost will vary from location to location and isintended to cover the cost of any damages you maybe responsible for when vacating. If you vacate yourapartment or house in good shape — so that norepairs are necessary — your deposit should bereturned. Keep the receipt for your security depositor, if you pay by check, note “security deposit” on theface of the check.

A check-in inspection of the unit should specify the

THE Rental Partnership Program provides militarypersonnel — officer and enlisted, single and married —with affordable, secure, quality rental property.

To help military personnel moving into new areasand to help defray costs, the RPP encourages propertyowners and property-management companies to givemilitary members a “corporate discount” on marketrent, to waive security deposits, application fees and anyother up-front move-in costs.

In exchange, property owners save marketing andturnover costs when the military refers them financiallyprequalified prospective tenants who will sign 12-

condition of the unit, and should be signed by thelandlord and tenant. When vacating, this check-insheet can be used to determine damages — if any — tobe deducted from the security deposit.

The lease is a contract that defines the rights andobligations of both the landlord and tenant. When yousign a lease, you are legally bound to observe its terms.

Soldiers should insist that a military clause beincluded in the lease. This clause generally states thatthe Soldier can terminate the lease if PCS orders arereceived. The clause may not allow the termination ofthe lease just because on-base housing becomesavailable.

There is no standard military clause. The wordingis a matter of negotiation between the Soldier and theprospective landlord. Before signing any lease, Soldiersshould consult their legal assistance offices or housingreferral offices.

month leases. Payment of rental fees via electronicfund transfer ensures a dependable cash flow for theowner. Although no guarantee of rentals is implied,participation in the RPP gives property owners anopportunity to reduce days lost to vacancy whileproviding an essential service to the military com-munity.

RPP programs are governed by an agreementbetween each property owner and the local militaryinstallation, and are tailored to meet the needs ofspecific rental markets. Ask your housing referral officefor details.

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UPON arrival at your new duty station, call the PPSO togive them a contact number even if you don’t yet have adelivery address. On the date when household goods arescheduled for delivery, Soldiers must be at the deliveryaddress from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Regardless of how well a carrier may pack yourpersonal property, there’s still a chance something maybe lost or damaged. If you discover loss and/or damageafter delivery, you are required to list it on DD Form1840, “Joint Statement of Loss or Damage at Delivery.”This form also is a notice to the carrier of loss or damageand is a receipt of delivery. If you do not list loss ordamage on this form at delivery, you forfeit the chance ofbeing paid for loss or damage.

If you discover additional damage or loss after delivery,you must list it on DD Form 1840R,”“Notice of Loss orDamage,” which is on the reverse side of DD Form 1840.The completed DD Form 1840R must be delivered toyour local claims office within 70 days after delivery.

It’s a good idea to know where you want furniture placed, since moversaren’t responsible for moving furniture again once it has been placed.

The amount paid to Soldiers reflects depreciationfor age and wear of the goods lost or damaged. Donot throw away damaged items, as both the govern-ment and the carrier have the right to inspect theproperty before completing a claim.

If you think you are not receiving the quality ofmove the government is paying for at any timeduring delivery and unpacking, call the destinationtransportation office before signing documents andbefore the carrier’s representative leaves. At somepoint during delivery of your personal property, aninspector representing the destination transportationoffice may drop by to check on your delivery.

Note: Filing the DD Form 1840/1840R is notthe same thing as actually filing a claim. Final claimsagainst the government must be received by theclaims office at your local staff judge advocate officewithin two years of the delivery date. Contact yourlegal claims office for instructions.

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14 Hot Topics

o Start looking as soon as yourspouse receives orders.

o Check job listings at thehuman-resource center if youare near a military installation.If you are already a civil-serviceemployee, you have priorityplacement if you have appliedfor stopper lists through theinstallation or HRC servicingyour former job.

o Check employment ads in thenew city or town.

o Look in the phone book forcompanies that may need yourskills, and call the personnelmanager.

o Tailor your resume to theparticular position for whichyou are applying.

o Volunteer. Unpaid experienceon a resume sometimes leadsto selection for a paid posi-tion.

o Search for jobs atwww.usajobs.opm.gov/.

o Contact the school liaison office and school counse-lor at the old and new duty locations for assistance.

o Visit Web pages for the state’s department ofeducation and the county/district school system.If going overseas, visit www.odedodea.edu.

o Contact the housing office at the new installationto determine the waiting period for on-postquarters, as this may determine the school yourchild will attend.

o Be familiar with school eligibility requirements,especially for kindergarten.

o If you have a child of high-school age, get infor-mation on the gaining state’s high school gradua-tion requirements and grading systems. Differ-ences may affect your child’s class standing andgrade-point average.

o Give the losing school adequate notice of with-drawal. It’s Army policy to in- and outprocess withthe school.

o Hand-carry school records.

While moving can be traumatic for children, most eventually adjust.Parents should seek help for children who exhibit a loss of interest in favoritethings, a loss of energy or appetite, or a frequent desire to be alone.

Additional Steps for Special-Needs Students:o Contact the local Exceptional Family Member

Program manager, who can help identify resources atthe new location.

o Contact your local special-education counselor forinformation on what should be done prior totransitioning.

o Request copies of all information in your child’s files— evaluations, assessments, reports, IndividualizedEducation Program reviews, therapists’ reports andrelated documents.

o Ask professionals who work with your child toprovide letters about the experience and any recom-mendations or observations they may have.

o Request copies of all medical records.

o Call the Social Security Administration at (800) 772-1213 for information about benefits available tospecial-needs children in the new state.

o Contact the new school and arrange placementmeetings for soon after you arrive.

SELECTING new schools for children is one of parents’ major concerns when relocating. The following steps canease the transition for parents and children alike.

Detecting Trauma

Hot Topics 15

Resources

Army Regulation 608-1, “Army Community ServiceCenter” — Outlines services provided by the Army Reloca-tion Readiness Program. Go to www.usapa.army.mil.

Army Relocation Readiness Program — ArmyCommunity Service provides oversight and managementof ARR. ARR gives Soldiers and families useful informa-tion ranging from housing and changing schools tomoving overseas and financial assistance. Go towww.armycommunityservice.org and click on “Relo-cation Readiness.” If you click on “Links” under“Navigation Tools,” you’ll find information on citiesand countries, general relocation services, installations,housing information and overseas commands.

Army Housing Onestop — At www.onestoparmy.comusers will find comprehensive information about Armyhousing throughout the world, view pictures and floorplans of family housing, get tips for moving and checktheir positions on Army housing waiting lists.

SITES — SITES is a Web-based information systemproviding relocation information on approximately 300Department of Defense installations throughout theworld. Categories of information include installation;local community; education; employment; medical anddental; housing; relocation services; support services;child and teen services; and survival tips for first-termSoldiers. Go to www.dmdc.osd.mil/sites.

Military Acclimate — Designed for military personnel,www.militaryacclimate.com helps users determine thecost of moving and the cost of living in the Soldier’s

new duty location, and provides neighborhooddemographics and real-estate advice. The site isprovided by the Department of Defense and theOffice of Family Policy.

Military Teens on the Move and Military Teenson the Move for Kids — Located atwww.dod.mil/mtom, this site helps kids getinvolved in the moving process. It offers tips forcoping with the emotional aspects of moving,details what users can expect from their newcommunities, and provides ideas for maintainingold friendships while building new ones.

Per Diem Travel — This site offers links to travelregulations and monetary allowance programs andrates. Go to www.dtic.mil/perdiem.

Family Resources — This site, www.nmfa.orgwas created by the National Military FamilyAssociation and Qcorps Residential Inc. Type in thelocation of your new duty station, then comparisonshop for services such as local and long-distancetelephone services, cable and satellite television,high-speed Internet providers, newspapers andmagazines, movie rentals, bottled water delivery,moving companies, storage facilities and appliancerenters.

Military Assistance Program — This site,www.dod.mil/mapsite provides information andinteractive resources about relocation, moneymanagement and job searching in a new location.

BOTTOM LINE A planned move is a smoother move.

SPONSORS can help steer and ease newcomers’ transitions. Most sponsorsare of the same grade and marital status, and hold the same MOS as thenewcomer. They can help families with regard to moving, inprocessing,getting settled, and learning about the unit and community.

Sponsors often help newcomers settle into initial accommodations; intro-duce them to the chain of command, inprocessing personnel and otherpoints of contact; link them with school systems and child care; and helpthem register privately owned vehicles.

Ask your new command for a sponsor.