Moving Takes a Community: Moving to Korea with the Military

(originally published in June 2024 issue)

Packing the truck with household goods

Is it time for you to PCS to a new duty station? Maybe your service time is ending or congratulations are in order for your retirement! Whatever your reason is for moving, preparation takes a community effort. Learn from some community members who just moved and want to make the process smoother for you! 

There can be so many unknowns at the next location but there are some tips that will generally help anyone moving! These tips go a bit beyond your standard checklist for some more personalized advice. 

Moving to Korea With the Military

Hansen family enjoying Korean BBQ

The Hansen family gave meaningful advice sharing that moves and new duty stations are what you make it. “Stay open minded and willing to adjust and it can be a great experience.”  One way they support their moves to new places is by immediately exploring their new hometown! When moving to Korea with the military, Korean BBQ is a great way to get acquainted with the local cuisine when moving to South Korea! 

Expert Moving Tips for Servicemembers and Families

• Worry less and think positive 

• Join social media groups for the community you will be joining 

• Unlock your phone if you're going to another county

• Get your tourist passport if traveling to another country so you can be ready for international adventures 

• Looking into schools can help influence decisions around housing, transportation to work, and spouse employment

• Calendars! Create schedules for everything so it goes smoothly

• Schedule your HHG, travel, and book lodging in advance, and don’t wait 

• Make sure your neighbors aren’t moving at the same time if you live in a close-quarters community 

• Purge what you don’t need before movers come, you don’t want a full house of things you don’t need 

• Have an ongoing list of what you want in your unaccompanied PCS baggage

• Pack your unaccompanied baggage and the baggage for travel early and set what you want aside when HHG comes 

• Consider keeping your unaccompanied baggage and luggage for the trip separated and labeled from your household goods 

• Take pictures and videos of all furniture, antiques, and high-value items before it is packed by movers 

• Pack the mattress in waterproof covers to prevent moisture, mold, dust, or pets. You can wash clothing and linens but you can wash a mattress inside and out 

• Bring electronics with you, many are damaged in transit and reimbursement is difficult as it is hard to prove it was in working condition before the move 

• Prepare your vehicle for shipping, fix anything that is broken, update paperwork, and have it professionally cleaned inside and out

• Take care of EFMP updates if needed, sooner rather than later

Tips for Securing Information and Clearing

• Get your pet’s immunizations and health paperwork sorted early on 

• If traveling with a pet and paying for it by yourself, make sure to have the ticket reflect pet shipping and submit for reimbursement of up to $2,000 for one dog or cat for each PCS move to or from the continental US 

• Give notice to your child care facility of your child being withdrawn at least 30 days before withdrawal 

• Clear company, battalion, and installations quickly to have more time for your goodbyes 

• Don’t count on your medical information, even from military treatment facilities, to follow you to the new duty station, service members and all dependents should have copies of medical paperwork with them

• Get two copies of all medical and educational records, one for your records and one for the gaining community and installation agencies

• Consider a power of attorney if you’re moving at different times. Loss of an ID, signing rental agreements, finalizing house sales, and many more instances might require you to have a power of attorney 

Items to Bring With You When You Leave Your Duty Station

• Be organized with important documents including one spot for travel documents, passports, birth certificates, marriage certificates, social security cards, and of course multiple copies of your orders

• Hand carry all important documents (personal, medical, educational documents), some even suggest putting them in your carry-on to guarantee nothing is ever lost

• Update your driver's license and international permits 

• Consider saving your documents on a Google Drive or other online storage that can be accessible anywhere, anytime

• Bring a 90-day supply of all medications needed for yourself and/or your entire family

• Consider bringing household items like pillows, sheets, a blanket, a laptop, toys, a book, or any items needed to get you through a few nights if needed 

Tips for Settling In 

• Learn your installation and city transportation first thing so you can enjoy the city with or without a vehicle 

• Decide if you will be a dual-vehicle family if needed

• Understand transportation options in the area and don’t let not having a car slow you down 

• Find something fun and unique about your new location to get you excited 

• Contact your Military Family Life Counselors if you need some transition support when leaving or after arrival at a new installation

• Remember your family readiness centers have relocation support, financial readiness departments, employment experts, and more to help you coming and going 

• Connect to local support at your next location so you can begin to build your support network 

Employment and Child Care for Dependents

• Start looking for jobs now

• You can accept a job offer up to 30 days before arrival in South Korea

• Families can register to be put on the childcare waitlist at their gaining installation as soon as orders are given. This will help you have the best chance of child care upon arrival. Get your name on the waitlist at https://militarychildcare.com

• Websites for employment on military installations include: USAJobs, Careers with the Exchange (AAFES), Navy FFR Careers, DoD Civilian Careers, USO Careers, University of Maryland Global Campus Careers, Careers Magellan Health, JANZ Corporation Careers

• 
  

Resources for Moving 

• DMZ to the Sea PCS Resource Guide has all your resources for coming to, living, and leaving South Korea! Download your free copy!

• MyArmyBenefits, MyAirforceBenefits, and MyNavyHR have support for CONUS and OCONUS PCS locations specific to your branch.

• Military One Source PCS and Military Move Resources help people understand moving their lives, families, and belongings. Look into their Settling in After Moving: Resources. They also have OCONUS support too.

• The Eighth Army has PCS Resources in its Newcomers section.

• Military.com has so many articles about moving, check out “5 Things to Do When You Get PCS Orders”. It has a huge PCS Checklist.

• Check out the Military Virtual Welcome Packet from South of Seoul to help you get used to life in Korea.

Be prepared to be your own information and resource guide at times, but always contribute your tips along the way! Community feedback positively influences not only the support around us, but it assists everyone coming and leaving after you. We are always looking to share amazing PCS tips and resources, share yours with us today! 

#PCStips #PCSmovechecklist #militaryrelocation #June2024