😰 8 Things I Struggle With Every Time We PCS 📦

Show That PCS No Fear

Chaos before HHG comes

Summer is finally here. Do you know what that means? It is PCS (permanent change of station) season, hooray!! Well, also I guess the kids are done with the school year. And people taking advantage of planning summer vacations and just enjoying all this free time to enjoy life. But sometimes, moving is not always sunshines and rainbows. I will list 7 things that I struggle with every time we PCS. I have done 3 OCONUS and 1 CONUS move in the past 10 years. I am no expert and it does not get any easier because each relocation has their own obstacles each time, but I still want to share the struggles to help vent. 

 1. Moving every 2-3 years is stressful and expensive. 

I know as dependents, we have a choice to stay behind or go with the service members, but I have always chosen to go because I like to keep our little family together. My thought process is that you can always make more money, but you can't make more time when you are separated from your family for an extended period of time. When you PCS OCONUS or to a high cost of living area, the cost and stress is on hard mode to the extreme. This is the worst kind of situation to be in especially during COVID times or the government shutdown. 

Our house hold goods arrived in Japan after 3 months of waiting.

2. Expect the Unexpected 

During every PCS so far, we had something that happens that is out of our control. Moving in general has been one of the most stressful things anyone can go through in their lifetime. But when it comes to the military moving your family, there is potential for things to not go as smoothly or according to plan. Your spouse might lose their GTC (Government Travel Card) during the PCS. Your children did not get their no-fee passports in time before being able to move OCONUS. Your pets did not get their vaccinations or required paperwork that the airlines are asking. Always be prepared and have all the necessary documents and make copies. A PCS binder has always been helpful for every move. 

To keep myself calm, I slow down and try to complete jigsaw puzzles. 

3. Being unemployed or underemployed. 

In the civilian world, finding employment was a struggle in its own, but once you are military spouse and move near to a military base, those employers can smell that you are a military spouse instantly. Also, there are less job opportunities for military spouses who live OCONUS since the employers give priority to the local nationals. Even if you apply to work at on post at the commissary, PX, CDC, CYS, etc... your chances of even getting an interview is like 5%. I am just guessing that number since there are other military spouses who might be applying for the same job and it just starts becoming Hunger Games. I got lucky with my job at the military library because I was volunteering with them for a few months and then they told me when to apply when the librarian left due to her being pregnant. So it all worked out in the end for me. Best job ever.  

Me as a librarian, emptying the book drop from outside. 

4. Your support system may vary.

Yes, I know I am lucky to have a good and healthy relationship with my family and my in-laws, but sadly they cannot move with us. It has been over 8+ years since we have lived in the same continent or let alone driving distance from our family. They support us, but keeping in touch or visiting each other is tough. Since so much logistics and finances that come into play. We are all in different timezones or busy with our own lives and just struggle being there for each other. So word of advice is have an open mind at your new duty station, just like being the new kid on the first day of school. Find your vibe tribe by putting yourself out there. Attend all the events on and off post. Just saying "hello" is a good first step. 

I hosted this planner meet up at the USO to meet other spouses.

5. Every military bases are not the same. 

Some bases are better funded and has more resources and services provided for the military families to utilize. For example, K16 Seoul Air Base, South Korea, their commissary is only 3 aisles wide and there is no real PX. Only a small Express. Since this post is so tiny, they provide these smaller facilities according to the military family population. So expect to shop off post frequently if you get stationed at K16. 

K16 Commissary with only 3 aisles. Screenshot from my YouTube video

6. Not being a pack rat. 

Every time we PCS, I hope and pray the movers do not damage any of our items or during the move, that our stuff does not get stolen or get moldy or misplaced. So I make sure if I plan on purchasing any valuables, that I will be okay if that item has a possibility of getting lost of damaged, that I will be fine. Hence, I don't want to be a pack rat and be a minimalist if possible. Or if I do purchase items, I make sure the quality is alright and usable in the moment, but if it gets stolen, I will not be upset about it. 

My journal collection. If anything happens to them during PCS, I would be so upset.

7. Finding myself and re-inventing myself after each move. 

Just like with everything in life, we are constantly changing and evolving throughout our lives. I am not the same person 10 years ago before my husband joined the military. I was so shy and afraid of almost everything. Now after living in 3 different countries back to back, I am bit more confident in myself and ready to take on almost anything that this life throws at me. Bring it on. 

I will give you a TLDR of my life at every season.

• 🍑 Fort Stewart, GA - librarian work-a-holic, volunteer at USO, dog mom
• 🇰🇷 K16 Seoul Air Base, South Korea - Silent Book Club Leader, pro volunteer at the military library, 
• 🇩🇪 Rose, Barracks (Vilseck), Germany - Florida State University Masters Student in Library science degree, and Euro Trip explorer.
• 🇯🇵 Main land, Japan - awakened my Pokemon and anime childhood.

Ghibli Cream Puff Cafe in Japan.

In conclusion, PCS is just a natural part of this military life style. Some might get lucky and never get to move at all and stay at one duty station for their whole military career. While some might move every year which sounds like a nightmare. But in the end, each PCS is different. Some might be quick and easy while others can be one horrible chain reaction after another. All you can do during each PCS is just take it one day at a time. This is just all temporary and it too shall pass. Think of it a fun new adventure that your family is embarking on that will start a new chapter in your lives. 

Good luck to you all and safe travels if you are in the middle of a PCS or preparing to PCS.