Moving to Fort Sill: PCS Movers and Military Household Goods Moves

DPS and Household Goods Move Basics

• DPS is the Defense Personal Property System, the online portal at move.mil where eligible service members schedule and manage official moves.
• In a household goods (HHG) move, the government arranges a licensed moving company to pack, pick up, ship, and deliver your belongings.
• Weight limits are set by rank or grade, and the government pays for shipment up to your entitlement; anything above it is your expense.
• Your counselor at the local transportation office can walk you through the process.

Personally Procured Moves (PPM / DITY)

• A PPM (formerly called a DITY move) is one you handle yourself, using your own vehicle, a rental truck, or a portable container, and the government reimburses you.
• Weigh your vehicle or container empty before you load and full after you load, keep both weight tickets, and document your inventory.
• After arriving, you file your move in DPS and submit the paperwork to get reimbursed up to 95 percent of what the government would have paid for the move.
• Keep every receipt: tolls, packing supplies, rental equipment, and fuel can be part of your claim.

Timing a PCS Move to Lawton

• Summer is peak PCS season, so moving dates and quality movers book up early; start as soon as you have orders.
• Winter PCS windows have fewer competing moves but bring their own conditions: Oklahoma weather can include ice and fog, and moving companies may face weather delays on the roads.
• Working with your transportation office early gives you the most choices on dates and providers.
• If you plan to live off post, give yourself time to arrange housing in the Lawton area before your report date.

Settling In Around Lawton and Fort Sill

• On-post housing at Fort Sill is arranged through the installation housing office, which handles waitlists and floor plans.
• Off-post options are available in Lawton and surrounding communities including Elgin, Cache, Medicine Park, Fletcher, and Sterling, each with different lot sizes and commutes to the installation.
• Keep school and neighborhood questions neutral: check directly with the school district for attendance information.

FAQ

What is DPS, and do I have to use it?

DPS is the Defense Personal Property System, the online portal at move.mil where eligible service members schedule and manage their household goods shipments. Most service members use it to book a move, and it is also where you set up a personally procured move.

What's the difference between a household goods move and a PPM?

In a household goods move, the government arranges a moving company to pack, pick up, and deliver your belongings. In a personally procured move, you handle the move yourself and the government reimburses you up to your entitlement.

How does a PPM work, and what do I need to keep track of?

Weigh your vehicle or container empty before loading and full after loading, keep both weight tickets, and file the move in DPS. Keep every receipt and a written inventory of your items.

When should I start planning my PCS move to Fort Sill?

Start planning as soon as you receive orders, and especially early if you are moving during the summer peak season, when dates and movers book up quickly.

Where can I get help planning the move?

Your local transportation office can walk you through the paperwork, and the official planning tools and counselors at move.mil and Military OneSource are good places to start.