When you are in the military, you can expect to receive a permanent change of station (PCS) order. It is an inevitable part of the job when you join the military. It can be a difficult process to go through, especially if you have a family. You may wonder if you can change or even cancel your PCS orders.
You cannot change your PCS orders. Only an assignment officer (AO) may change a PSC order, which can happen at any time. While a member of the military may discuss with their superior any hardships that may be faced with the PCS order, it is not guaranteed that any action will be taken.
It is important to know that PCS orders can be changed at any time by an AO and that an AO may also cancel an order at any time. There are, however, entitlements you can expect to make the PCS process smoother. Read on to discover all you need to know about changes to a PCS order, and more.
Can PCS Orders Be Changed?
When you are given a PCS order, you may feel like everything is coming out of nowhere or moving too fast. The first thought that may enter your head is whether you can change your PCS orders. When you move a lot, it is natural to not want to move. When you have a family, these feelings can be stronger.
Unfortunately, you cannot personally change your PCS order. It is possible to discuss the move with a superior officer or with the Department of Defense, but this does not guarantee any change to your orders. They may offer other resources, however, to make your move as stress-free as possible.
There are a few things to keep in mind when contemplating your PCS orders. It is important to consider these aspects so that you understand the necessity of your orders and why they cannot be changed by you.
- PCS Orders happen regularly.
- The military provides many resources to help you.
- PCS can change at any time.
So, while you cannot change your PCS orders, the military can. You could be getting relocated to Hawaii and at the last minute, your orders get changed. You need to monitor your orders to make sure everything is still in order.
Can PCS Orders Be Cancelled?
Changing your location, whether it is within the United States or it is outside the country, is a complex process. Nobody wants to have to move all their belongings, especially when they probably just moved a few years prior—sometimes less. Yet, sometimes these orders get cancelled, and you may wonder who can cancel your orders.
| PCS Order Status: | Who Can Cancel the PCS Order: |
| Authorized | The Assignment Officer may cancel when “Authorized.” |
| Ready | The Assignment Officer may cancel when “Ready.” |
| En Route | The Servicing Personnel Office may cancel when “En Route.” |
| Finished | The Servicing Personnel Office may cancel when “Finished.” |
There are many reasons why your PCS orders may get cancelled, and it is important to remember that your orders can get cancelled at the last moment.
Moreover, when your orders get cancelled, you may receive new PCS orders shortly thereafter. It depends on where you are most needed.
Now, it may seem like there is no way to prepare for a random cancellation, but there are steps you can take to help make this unlikely event more manageable.
Be Prepared for Your PCS Orders
It is important to be prepared for your PCS orders, regardless of whether you think they will be changed or cancelled.
You begin by visiting the transportation office that will handle your PCS. They can help you discover all your options for your move, and they will help you start to make arrangements.
You should also review all your finances and any relocation services available where you are moving.
You should also have a backup plan should something change with your PCS order, whether this is a change of location or a cancellation. Many people have been caught, money already spent on the move, when the military changes their orders.
What PCS Entitlements Exist?
Though you may not change or cancel your PCS orders, some entitlements exist that can help you adjust to your new orders. These entitlements also exist to help you begin the process of moving.
It is important to know what entitlements exist so you can take advantage of them. Some of the entitlements that exist to help you with your PCS orders include the following:
- Army enlisted assignment exchanges.
- Dislocation allowances.
- Move Your Belongings with PPMs.
- Travel per diem.
- Deferment under special circumstances.
You can use these entitlements to help transition to your new station, whether it is in the United States or elsewhere.
What exactly do these entitlements mean? When you look closer at each one, you will see how they can help you.
Army Enlisted Assignment Exchanges
It is possible to swap stations with another soldier of the same rank. While this does not directly affect a person’s PCS orders, it can help them if they wish to move to a different location.
While there are a series of conditions that need to be met for this to work, it is possible to move locations in this way. This can be advantageous if you do not like your new post. However, some of the conditions that must be met include:
- Both soldiers must agree to the move.
- Both commander officers must agree to the move.
- Each soldier must have been serving in their present location for at least 1 year.
- Both soldiers must pay for the move.
So, while there are some downsides (the military will not pay for this move), there are some upsides, too.
Dislocation Allowance
Another entitlement that is available when you are relocating due to your PCS orders is a dislocation allowance. You must request this allowance at the beginning of the process. You cannot assume that you will automatically receive this allowance because you will not.
The dislocation allowance is a sum of money that can be used on expenses that arise because of the move.
Additionally, if you have already relocated, but then your orders were changed, you are also entitled to use the Secondary DLA, which is another sum to be used to relocate.
Move Your Belongings with PPM
Sometimes you do not want the military to move your belongings. You would rather do the move yourself. You are entitled to do this through PPM, or Personally Procured Move.
You gain a lot of control over your move by doing this. Additionally, the government will reimburse you, based on the weight of your goods, 95% of the cost.
Travel Per Diem
Since you are moving because the government told you to, and not on your own accord, you are entitled to something called “Travel Per Diem.”
Travel per diem is a reimbursement for each day you are traveling. So, for example, any food or gas you spend money on will be reimbursed.
Further, online calculators that can help you figure out how much of a reimbursement you can expect to receive during your relocation.
Deferment Under Special Circumstances
There are circumstances where your PCS can be deferred for a period, usually up to a year. This is not something you should rely on, but if your circumstances warrant a deferment, it may be worth considering.
For example, due to hardships from COVID-19, the Army was allowing people to defer their relocation for up to twelve months.
Conclusion
While you cannot change your PCS orders, this does not mean they cannot be changed. Your PCS orders can be changed at any time during the entire process. When this happens, you have to change all your plans. Moreover, your PCS orders can be cancelled at any time, too. To help you find housing when you receive PCS orders, ADPI offers an in-house lending team to assist with financing for purchasing a home and a fabulous real estate agent network to help you find your ideal home. You can connect with our lending team and agents here: https://www.activedutypassiveincome.com/find-agent-or-lender
There are entitlements that you can take advantage of to help with your relocation, but the best thing to do is to properly prepare yourself for the move. When you properly prepare, it will not be as stressful.
Sources:
https://www.military.com/pcs/pcs-orders-5-things-to-do.html
https://taskandpurpose.com/gear-tech/pcs-military/
https://www.dcms.uscg.mil/Portals/10/CG-1/PPC/guides/gp/spo/PCS/Cancelling%20a%20PCS%20Order.pdf
https://move.mil/faqs#inconvenience-claims
https://www.thebalancecareers.com/army-enlisted-assignment-exchanges-swaps-3344619
https://blog.ahrn.com/pcs-entitlements/
https://www.dcms.uscg.mil/Portals/10/CG-1/ppc/guides/gp/spo/PCS/PCS%20Orders.pdf
https://www.military.com/pcs/top-10-pcs-mistakes.html
https://www.military.com/pcs/8-tips-prepare-first-pcs-move.html
