Home >> Summer 2010 >> Coast to Coast Connection [by Mandi Jaramillo]
Information |
Relocation Assistance Program [RAP]
Village Center, Bldg. 1551
Monday - Friday
7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
760.830.4028/6540
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| Classes: |
Coast to Coast Connection
July 21 • August 18 • September 15
Overseas Connection
July 7 • August 4 • September 1 |
Coast-to-Coast: From packing, to shipping, to traveling....and beyond!
Part of military life is the constant knowledge that one day you will probably end up moving. So whether it’s to a base in the same state or to another all the way across the country, or the sea, being prepared is the way to go.
When we received orders to move from sunny Southern California to the eastern coast of North Carolina, we were thrown into a mix of emotions. We were filled with excitement about our new destination but also with anxiety that comes from knowing that we had to move our entire life to someplace that we had never lived before. That’s a six-room house, two dogs and two cars…where were we going to put it all?
First things first, take care of your job here and there if you can. This means making sure that your boss knows what’s going on and perhaps asking for letters of recommendation, or even if they know of places that might be hiring near your next duty station. Generally people who hire family members of military personnel understand that there is always a chance that you will be moving at some point. This shouldn’t come as too much of a shock, but make sure that you are professional and courteous. A letter of recommendation can go a long way in today’s job market.
Check out the Village Center aboard the Combat Center before you go, as they offer packets of information for every Marine base with 500 personnel or more. The staff is very knowledgeable and great at offering resources. The MCCS Relocation Assistance Program at the Village Center also offers monthly Coast to Coast Connection and Overseas Connection workshops to help you prepare for that big move and know what to expect on the other end.
Now for that big, evil, lurking monster of a responsibility: the house. When my husband and I packed up and moved, we actually didn’t have a house to move to. As exciting as that sounds, I assure you that the four months we spent looking for a house and actually purchasing and closing were not as fun as you would imagine. Take advantage of your military member’s 10 given days of PTAD or Permissive Temporary Assigned Duty to go house hunting in your new area. Make it like a mini-vacation. You can also look through websites of realtors before you move. Check with the Better Business Bureau to determine the trusted realtors in the area. Many have photos and specific details about available houses. This is a great jumping off point and should get you headed on the right track. If you have friends that are already living in the area, ask their opinions about housing areas and other amenities, such as grocery shopping, public transportation or nearby child care centers and schools. Decide what things are most important to you and what are desired but not necessary. And be realistic. You may not get everything you want, but you’re not stuck there forever. Keep in mind that if you are moving overseas, which includes Hawaii, there may be restrictions on what you can bring, such as pets or vehicles. Check into this as early as possible to give you plenty of time to plan ahead.
A huge consideration is how you will be making the move. Will you be doing a DITY or do-it-yourself move, where you pack and carry your own belongings and maintain records of costs and then are reimbursed by the government, or will you be using the TMO (Traffic Management Office) option, where the military hires a company to pack, ship, store and deliver your items? The Relocation Assistance staff can help guide you in whom to talk to about making this decision. It’s truly based on what you feel is best for your family, so make sure that you do your research. If you ask friends who have gone through one or the other, take their story into account but don’t use it as the set-in-stone version of what will happen to you. Everyone has a different experience.
The best piece of advice that I can pass along, especially for those doing a DITY move, is to start packing way in advance. Everyone is guilty of having a stash of stuff somewhere that they haven’t touched in months or even longer. This could be your garage or maybe just an extra room. Grab some boxes and tape and get that stuff packed up. Boxes can sit neatly in a corner just waiting for the movers. We started slowly, packing up one area of the house per week. This gave us time to make sure that we had everything packed that would be going in storage, and time to separate the things that we would need to bring with us on the road trip. Set packing goals that you can achieve. Leaving it all until the last minute will make you stressed to the point of screaming. Before you buy boxes, be sure to check local stores where you might get them for free or at a reduced price. If you choose a moving company, they may supply boxes, packing tape and wraps for furniture.
Moving can be a stressful time in your life, but planning ahead can make the time much easier for everyone involved. Find ways to make it fun. If you are traveling, look into different ways to travel. By car you can plan your route and sightsee along the way. If you’re traveling by plane, you could get to your destination early and perhaps stay at a bed & breakfast and get the lay of the land before you get back to unpacking your new home.
A great place to start is with the programs on base that are geared toward helping military families adjust and prepare for this big step in your life. Check out online sources as well for more information about the place you will be going and what might interest you along the way. Plan ahead, breath and enjoy the wild ride that’s about to come!
