Joint Base San Antonio (Lackland, Randolph, Sam Houston)  Moving

For comprehensive information on military moves, check out the Moving Guide section at Move.mil. The Moving with the Military Overview provides information about household goods shipping and storage, automobiles, and pets. Information on moving allowances and special items can be found under Entitlements/Guidelines. There are also links for retiring and separating members, specific service branch information and more.

You may also want to check out the Tools and Resources section for other valuable information on privately owned vehicles, weight estimators and locators, household goods insurance and ideas for helping children cope with the moving process.

As soon as you receive your permanent change of station orders, it’s important to coordinate your move immediately by following the 7 Steps to Make Your Household Goods Move a Smart Move.

In addition to planning your move, you can start getting your house and family ready. Clean up and get rid of junk. Hold a yard sale or donate serviceable items you no longer need. Gather important family records. Remember, in overseas areas, houses are generally much smaller than those in the United States and the electric current may be different.

If you are moving overseas, begin to plan what items will go in unaccompanied baggage, in your household goods shipment and in long-term, Non-Temporary Storage, or NTS, storage – check with your sponsor or overseas housing office to assist in determining what items to ship.

You’ll also want to log onto the Defense Personal Property System, the online system you use to request and manage your household goods shipment(s). For how-to guides to assist with your application, go to Move.mil.

The Defense Personal Property System is the online system you can use to request and manage your household goods shipment(s). For how-to guides to assist with your application, go to Move.mil.

Moving with your pet includes researching airline requirements and quarantine restriction laws in your new location. Many airlines have requirements for size, weight, breed, number of animals, kennel construction, documentation and seasonal limitations. Small pets may be shipped on military flights, but availability and regulations frequently change. Contact your local Personal Property Office to request specific country instructions. Military OneSource can make your move easier with helpful tips, resources and hands-on information related to moving with pets and more. For additional information see Pet Information under the Moving Guide tab on Move.mil.

“Service members arriving at JBSA must file their household goods claims based on their branch of service’s policies and procedures. Be advised that there are deadlines for filing, so visit the websites list below for details.

United States Air Force

If a service member’s household goods shipment were processed using the Defense Personal Property System (DPS), the claim must be filed against the Transportation Service Provider (TSP) in DPS. Service members can access their DPS account at www.move.mil DPS incorporates direct online claims filing, negotiation, and settlement.

If your household goods shipment was not processed using DPS, you must submit your claim to the TSP using those instructions provided to you by the TSP at delivery.  Be sure to keep a copy of what you send to the TSP and send your claim by certified mail.

A member/employee should contact the closest Military Claims Office on Full Replacement Value (FRV)  issues the member/employee and TSP cannot resolve or Air Force Claims Service Center, M-F from 0700-1900EST, at DSN 986-8044 or toll free at 1-877-754-1212.

United States Army

 Claims for damaged or lost household goods or a privately-owned vehicle shipment associated with a permanent change of station are submitted online through the  Personnel Claims Army Information Management System at

United States Navy

 If a service member’s household goods shipment were processed using the Defense Personal Property System (DPS), the claim must be filed against the Transportation Service Provider (TSP) in DPS. Service members can access their DPS account at www.move.mil. DPS incorporates direct online claims filing, negotiation, and settlement.

If your household goods shipment was not processed using DPS, you must submit your claim to the TSP using those instructions provided to you by the TSP at delivery.

 If you have any questions, feel free to contact the Personnel Claims Unit toll-free at 888-897-8217.