Start planning early. As soon as you find out that you are slated to move overseas, even before the orders come in (they may take awhile), do what you can. For instance, check out what your weight limit will be and purge your house of things you don't use or need (a garage sale is a good idea). Can you take two cars? If not, think about how you will sell one, or if you even want to take both. Learn what you can and can't take with you (such as weapons) and plan accordingly.

As soon as the orders come in, start scheduling moving appointments, such as for hold baggage (also known as unaccompanied baggage), storage and household good shipments.

Request a sponsor at the new duty station. This person, typically someone in the gaining unit, will help you get a P.O. box address, make hotel reservations and pick you up at the airport. He or she can also be invaluable for answering questions about local schools, shopping, and much more. Better yet, check your friend network and see if there's someone you may know already in the area.

Schedule an Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) screening. This must be done for all family members (including spouses), no matter how healthy they are.

Make hotel reservations on this end. If you are moving at high PCS season (such as the summer), it may be difficult to find a hotel on the dates you need. The Army will only pay for a five-night hotel stay for the family, so make sure you get the timing right or you'll be paying some out of pocket.

If you have pets, check the regulations for both the foreign country you will be in as well as the installation you are going to. Some countries will require a quarantine period, and some installations ban certain types of animals. Also, the military will not pay to ship your pets, so make sure you make separate arrangements. There are several reputable pet-shipping companies who provide the service.

Remember to hand-carry important files and documents (school and medical records, passports, birth certificates, marriage certificates, etc.). It will probably take several weeks to get housing set up and "your stuff" delivered. So make sure you allot enough time to get copies of or pick up the records you'll need.

Once in the new country, see if the installation offers a "get to know the area" type of class (most do). It's a great way to get introduced to the country, customs and language. You'll also meet other families new to the area.

Learn a little of the language (even if you butcher it, the locals are usually appreciative of the effort). Many installations will offer a "conversational" class that is a great way to pick up what you need.

Last but not least: Get off post and go explore. One of the most important things to remember when living overseas is to not be afraid to