Resources for those PCSing out at Great Place | Article

FORT CAVAZOS, Texas — The Permanent Change of Station, or PCS, procedure can be intimidating. However, there are a lot of individuals and resources to help make the procedure as smooth as possible here.

Thousands of Soldiers PCS throughout the year, however there is usually a spike throughout the summer season. Richard Nieberding Jr., military workers department chief, said they attempt to process the PCS orders 120 days out of the report date.

“We do that because it gives (Soldiers) four months to get their affairs in order,” he said.

Nieberding shared some essential things to think about when PCSing to a brand-new task station, the very first of them being transport.

“As soon as you get your orders, get with transportation here at Fort Cavazos so they can start planning your out load for household goods or whatever it is,” he said. “If you’re going to OCONUS (Outside the Continental US) maybe you have the authorization to ship a vehicle. The sooner the better.”

Second, Nieberding went on to speak about getting a main passport for member of the family for OCONUS PCS.

“The other thing I would say is, especially for married Soldiers that are going overseas, there are certain official passport requirements,” he said. “There’s some lead time that needs to be considered because we have to work with the Department of State to get those official passports. Not tourist passports, but official. Family members need to have those official passports to travel.”

Next, Nieberding spoke about housing.

“The other thing about PCSing, especially if you live on Fort Cavazos, and we do our best to identify who’s leaving, but get with the housing office both here at Fort Cavazos and your next duty station,” he said. “They’re looking to understand your timeline, so they can turn over maintenance in the housing department and have that house ready for someone else.”

Nieberding likewise discussed getting a sponsor, which becomes part of the out processing list. A sponsor is another Soldier, normally around the exact same rank or a first-line manager, that can help at your next task station.

“It’s good to have someone looking out for you and expecting you on the other side,” he said. “That helps families out a lot when they’re moving. Someone that’s going to help you get yourself in and know what’s going on.”

Nieberding included that Soldiers must consult the remarkable relative program and command sponsorship to make sure family travel is looked after.

“If you’re going overseas you’ve got to be command sponsored,” he said. “That means that the command recognizes that you’re bringing your family with you, so they ensure that they have proper housing and adequate support to take care of you on the other side and to ensure that the location you’re going to can support your family’s medical needs.”

Nieberding likewise advised the standardized Army-large Levy Brief, which dives into information about what requires to be done when PCSing.

“That 55-page briefing reminds you and informs you on things to be done,” he said. Everything from animal travel to delivering a car to the important things you require to do with financing, housing, transport, all those essential things I said. That would most likely be among the very first things that you must do. Even if you don’t have your orders and you understand you’re on task go through that Levy Brief due to the fact that its info and pointers for those who might have already PCSed prior to. Even for the newbie PCSer it brings you into the video game.”

Nieberding acknowledged that PCSing can appear frustrating, however there are individuals at the Copeland Center who are all set to help.

“We take care of Soldiers,” he said, “and we’re serious about our customer service to help them out.”

For more info on the Levy Brief, see https://home.army.mil/cavazos/application/files/7216/8374/3448/Army-Wide_Standard_Reassignment_Briefing_v1.5_7_Dec_2022_Update_10_May_23.pdf.