PPM vs. Government Move: Which Is Right for Your PCS?

Every PCS starts with one big choice: let the government hire a mover, move yourself through a Personally Procured Move (PPM), or split the difference. There is no universal right answer, but there is usually a right answer for your family.

How each option works

In a government move, you request dates in the Defense Personal Property System (DPS), a transportation office assigns a moving company, and that company packs, loads, ships and delivers your goods. You pay nothing up front, and the mover is liable for loss or damage at full replacement value.

In a PPM, you move some or all of your goods yourself and the government reimburses you based on what it would have paid a mover for that weight. For the 2026 moving season, the reimbursement is 100% of that government constructed cost. A temporary 130% rate used during the 2025 moving crisis has ended.

Reasons to choose a government move

• You have a full house, heavy furniture or a long distance to cover.
• You cannot take time off to pack, load and drive.
• You want someone else to be responsible if things break.
• You are moving overseas, where a PPM is often impractical.

The moving system went through a rough stretch after the HomeSafe contract was terminated in June 2025. In 2026, a new DoD organization called the Personal Property Activity oversees the program, and moves are again handled by installation transportation offices working with approved moving companies. Booking early remains the best defense against delays.

Reasons to choose a PPM

• You control the schedule and never wait on a delivery window.
• Your belongings are never out of your sight.
• If you move efficiently, you may keep the difference between your costs and the reimbursement (that profit is taxable).
• Small households, single members and short distances are a natural fit.

The hidden costs of doing it yourself

Truck rental is only the start. Add fuel, moving supplies, tolls, hotel nights, possible helper labor and wear on your body and your vehicle. Price out a truck for your actual dates before deciding, since peak-season rentals can cost far more than you expect.

The partial PPM

Many families let the government move the bulk of the house and do a small PPM for items they want with them, such as a home office, a gaming setup or kids' comfort items. You get some reimbursement for the weight you carry, and the essentials arrive with you.

Rules that trip people up

• Register the PPM in DPS before you move. Moving first and asking later can cost you the reimbursement.
• Get certified empty and full weight tickets for every trip. No tickets, no payment based on weight.
• Keep receipts for gas, truck rental, packing materials and tolls.
• Do not exceed your weight allowance across all shipments combined.

Bottom line

If time, energy or the size of your household is your constraint, let the government move you and book early. If control and a possible payout matter more, and your household is modest, a PPM can work well. When in doubt, combine the two.