The orders are in hand and the family is set to move to Germany. Now what?

Though an overseas move may seem daunting, it shouldn't be. With proper planning and organization, a Permanent Change of Station (PCS) to Germany can be a breeze.

One of the first things to arrange is an Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) screening. All family members moving overseas must have this screening, so do it early, particularly if there already is an EFM in the household. Contact EFMP at the Madigan Healthcare Center at (253) 968-1370 for more information and to set up an appointment.  

Another item to take care of early is getting a passport.  Even if some members of the family have a valid tourist passport, they may be required to have a "no fee" passport as well.  Don't wait - it may take weeks for the passports to be processed and arrive. "No fee" passports are processed through the installation passport offices on JBLM and McChord Field.

In addition to EFMP screenings and passports, one of the most important things to do when planning an overseas move is to determine when the movers should come. Schedule as soon as possible, because moving companies book up quickly, particularly in the busy summer months. Most military shipment arrangements are completed online using the Defense Personal Property System (DPS) at www.move.mil. Plan on at least six to eight weeks for household goods to make it from the states to Germany; unaccompanied baggage should arrive within 30 days. Families PCSing overseas are usually authorized long-term storage also. Each shipment will typically have a separate pack out date.

Once the dates are set, start purging, sorting and separating. Not only do all military families have a weight allowance, but most will also be living in smaller quarters - with little storage area - while overseas.

When preparing to move to Germany, take the time to research the new duty station, and, most importantly, make contact with your sponsor as soon as possible. Most units at the receiving duty station will assign a Servicemember (known as a sponsor) to assist incoming families. Take advantage of it. Get his or her email address and ask lots of questions. Sponsors can help with everything from setting up a Community Mail Room (CMR) address so you can forward mail to coordinating hotel reservations and much more.

Also visit the new base's website and poke around. It's easy to get a feel for the American military community, and what's available, by looking at the official website, along with any command information products such as the base paper (which is typically available online as well).

Don't forget about four-footed family members when planning an overseas move. Some types of dogs are not allowed into Germany (pit bulls, for instance), and installations may have restrictions regarding how many pets are allowed in quarters. There is no quarantine in Germany, but all pets must have current shots and a health certificate issued within 10 days of entering the country. The military does not pay to ship pets overseas.

The government will pay to ship only one vehicle overseas. It will take several weeks for the car to arrive, so plan accordingly. Bear in mind that if the Army doesn't ship a car to Germany when you PCS, it won't pay to ship one back when you return.

This information is just a start. For a complete picture and more details about moving to Germany, visit www.militaryhomefront.dod.mil or stop by Relocation Readiness in Waller Hall on JBLM.