U.S. Transportation Command enhances family relocation

Photo By Lt. Col. Jon Quinlan | Emily S. Ells, mother of Iris J. Ells, Scott Air Force Base, Ill. wait in their kitchen February 28, 2018 for moving contractors to finish packing their household goods during their move to a new permanent change of station in South Dakota. Military members and their families requesting movers to assist with a PCS benefit from creating or reactivating an account with Defense Personal Property System online, early scheduling and being flexible with move dates to have a better chance at a smooth move. (Photo by Master Sgt. Jason J. Galaway, USTRANSCOM/PA)  

SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, IL, UNITED STATES

03.12.2018

Story by Maj. Jon Quinlan 

U.S. Transportation Command

SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill., March 8, 2018 - In preparation for the peak permanent change of station season, U.S. Transportation Command is providing guidance designed to enhance the relocation experience for service members and their families.

Last year, the Defense Personal Property Program, also known as DP3, oversaw 430,000 Defense Department household goods and 65,000 privately owned vehicle shipments. For the busy moving season, improvements to DP3 and the move.mil website focused on the entire family.

"We don't just move stuff, we relocate families," said Army Col. Ralph Lounsbrough, personal property division chief in USTRANSCOM's strategy, capabilities, policy and logistics directorate. "These initiatives provide our service members and their families with many beneficial resources and tools to enhance the relocation process."

In October, 2017 USTRANSCOM was named the single manager of DP3. This consolidation streamlined the relocation process by aligning the DoD moving process under one manager.

"A consolidated DP3 management structure offers one entry point for program inquiries, requests, and concerns from the moving industry," Lounsbrough said.

The move.mil website offers many improvements, according to Air Force Lt. Col. Todd Jensen, chief of operations, in USTRANSCOM's personal property division. The move.mil website is now more mobile friendly and has new pre-move tools, like a household goods weight estimator, do-it-yourself estimator and enhanced checklists, according to Jensen.

"In the vast majority of cases, the quickest resolution for move-related issues is through the installation transportation or traffic management office," said Jensen. "That does not change. We don't want any customer to struggle with the move process. If their questions aren't being adequately addressed locally, they can elevate their concerns to USTRANSCOM."

Service members are reminded to plan ahead for a successful relocation by either visiting their traffic management office or registering for a Defense Personal Property System, or DPS account, through the link on the new move.mil web site. This can be done either prior to, or when they receive, their permanent-change-of-station orders.

"Our hope is that our service members use these valuable tools to help plan their move," Jensen said. "We are here to help and deliver the best customer service possible."

• Date Taken: 03.12.2018
• Date Posted: 03.12.2018 13:39
• Story ID: 269047
• Location: SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, IL, US