Joel Schofer's Career Planning Blog

Peak of Peak Moving Season: Navy PCS LOIs Issuance Ramping Up

Posted on July 5, 2017

By Suzanna Brugler, Deputy, NAVSUP GLS Office of Corporate Communications

SAN DIEGO (NNS) — Naval Supply Systems Command Global Logistics Support (NAVSUP GLS) Household Goods (HHG) announced that Navy permanent change of station (PCS) letters of instruction (LOIs) will be issued during the “peak of the peak” moving season July 5.

Peak moving season runs from the beginning of May until Aug. 15. “Peak of the peak” moving season lands during late June to early July.

“Budget challenges and PCS funding shortfalls have resulted in significantly compressed orders lead time. Our senior leadership fully understands the impact that this compressed lead time has had on our Sailors and their families as the uncertainty associated with waiting for official orders impacts all aspects of an impending move,” said Paul Brown, director of NAVSUP GLS warfighter family support.

In an effort to mitigate the impact of short notice release of orders, the Navy is expanding the issuance of LOIs in order to enable greater flexibility and to provide greater certainty to an already stressful situation associated with a PCS move.

Currently, Sailors receiving orders to an Overseas or Remote Continental U.S. (CONUS) location are issued LOIs to complete the required overseas screening for the member and their family, to initiate the passport application process, and start any required security clearance investigations. These LOIs are released via message traffic.

Starting in July 2017, Naval Personnel Command (NPC) will begin issuing separate LOIs for most PCS orders not covered by the existing LOIs associated with overseas and remote CONUS assignment.

Sailors will be able to complete operational sea duty screening, update security clearances, take permissive temporary duty (TDY) for residence hunting, begin the entitlement counseling and application processes for the movement of HHG and make reservations for travel with the LOI.

There are some limitations to what can be accomplished with an LOI. An LOI cannot be used to obligate or expend government funds. For example, an LOI cannot be used to receive advance military or travel pay, to charge airline tickets, to secure a pickup date to ship HHG or personally owned vehicles (POV), to place HHG or POVs in storage or to authorize the reimbursement for a personally procured move (PPM).

Upon receipt of the LOI, service members should access the Defense Personal Property System (DPS) and use “NAVYLOI” as the PCS order number when inputting their HHG requirements into the system. The LOI and supporting documents such as a signed DD 1299 (application for shipment and/or storage of personal property) and DD 1797 (personal property counseling checklist) must be digitally scanned and uploaded into DPS.

The LOI shall not be used for actual movement of personnel, dependents, HHG or POVs. It is incumbent on commands to establish successful message traffic receipt and delivery to ensure receipt of LOIs for incoming members.

Depending on the funding environment and the lead time of PCS orders, this may not occur until shortly before the planned move. It is important to note that a moving company cannot be assigned, nor a pickup date guaranteed, until official PCS orders have been released by NPC.

Early application submission of Service members’ HHG requirements into DPS will provide better communication and planning information to industry in order to best serve Navy personnel.

Service members may email questions to householdgoods@navy.mil or call 1-855-HHG-MOVE (444-6683) for assistance. NAVSUP GLS will collaborate with other services to support Navy members who utilize non-Navy Personal Property offices.

Service members are encouraged to visit https://www.navsup.navy.mil/household/ for the schedule of HHG entitlement webinars and other valuable information. This website or the local personal property office will provide families with detailed instructions on completing the online household goods move application in DPS, accessible through www.move.mil.

Commands are requested to proactively encourage members to begin the HHG move application process as early as possible. Additionally, upon receipt of a LOI, service members may request permissive TDY for residence hunting in accordance with MILPERSMAN 1320-210.

The following orders will not receive LOIs: temporary limited duty (TLD), home port changes, pre-commission units, Expeditionary Combat Readiness Center (ECRC), Afghanistan-Pakistan (AFPAK) Hands, pregnancies, accessions, retirements and separations.

Members who move their HHG or POV without funded PCS orders in hand will not be reimbursed for expenses incurred prior to receipt of orders.

As a recap, to get started creating your application in DPS without orders, follow the below guidelines:

– Access DPS online by going to www.move.mil;
– Select “Yes” when asked if you have hard copy orders;
– Use “NAVYLOI” for the Order Number;
– Use the current date as the Order Date;
– Upload LOI into DPS as the Orders;
– Upload signed DD Form 1299;
– Upload signed DD Form 1797;
– Submit application in DPS.

Service members may contact the DPS System Response Center, or help desk, over the phone at 800-462-2176, 24 hours a day, seven days a week for DPS web site related issues. For all others concerns, service members should email questions to householdgoods@navy.mil or call 1-855-HHG-MOVE (444-6683) for assistance.

NAVSUP GLS provides global logistics for a global Navy. The organization is made up of approximately 6,300 military and civilian logistics professionals operating from 105 locations worldwide, providing an extensive array of integrated global logistics and contracting services to Navy, Marine Corps, joint operational units and allied forces across all warfare enterprises.