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Does making a permanent change of station create discouragement, stress or aggravation?
Is it something never looked forward to because of all the work that goes into it?
There is no need to fear; the ABCs of PCSing are here!
The Ramstein Airman & Family Readiness Center holds its ABCs of PCSing workshop the first Thursday of every month at the Hercules Theater.
The workshop has been on-going for eight years helping those getting ready to PCS by giving them the information needed to out-process.
“Getting the process started is the hardest part,” said Tim Vohar, A&FRC community readiness consultant. “Most PCSers would show up to the various required appointments unprepared, but now they show up with completed documents and questions in hand.”
The workshop gives information on what needs to be taken care of starting 180 days prior to their PCS date.
At the workshop, members are given a calendar checklist of the many things that need to be done and broken down into sections: 90 days-out, 60 days, 30 days, seven days and three days-out.
“This will help quite a bit,” said Julia Garcia, a military dependent getting ready to PCS to Beal Air Force Base, Calif. “I’m the packer but my husband does the paperwork and coming here helps both of us understand what we need to be doing every step of the way.”
The ABCs of PCSing even gives a checklist for packing day, moving day, on the way guidance and things to do when a person arrives at their new home.
A legal representative advises PCSers to try and take pictures or videos of their electronics in use in case something happens, the individual will have documentation that the items were working before they were packed.
An outbound representative explains how to get their orders and gives some helpful hints: keep copies of all out-processing documents and be aware of the timeline and requirements.
“The No. 1 mistake that the Traffic Management Office sees is that our customers do not fill out their port-call request forms correctly or completely, leaving out important information,” said Staff Sgt. Blake Gamez, 86th Logistics Readiness Squadron NCO in charge of passenger travel. “This workshop helps us because members can contact us already knowing their basic travel entitlements and limitations.”
For PCSers with pets there is a calendar checklist of things that need to be done before the big move.
“I wasn’t sure what we were going to have to do with our pets when we left,” Garcia said. “After coming to this class, I now know what needs to be done in order for us to PCS.”
Attendees are given a package of materials that includes a rental termination notice, relocation assistance information and out-processing information for housing, furnishing management office, finance, Tricare, and valued added tax utilities. The school liaison officer distributes very practical binders containing pockets for all the important school papers PCSers will want to hand carry.
“This workshop helped us a lot,” Garcia said. “My husband and I were confused about what needs to be done but, we got all of our questions answered and that’s a huge weight lifted off our shoulders.”
Vohar said the ABCs of PCSing is a mandatory workshop for those leaving Ramstein.
“Don’t wait,” Vohar said. “You don’t need your orders, just call the A&FRC about six months before your DEROS date and we will get you taken care of.”
With the ABCs of PCSing helping give the information needed to have a successful move, there is no longer the need to feel discouraged or frazzled and PCSing can be a thing to look forward to.
The next ABCs of PCSing workshop will be held July 5. For information and reservations, call the A&FRC at 480-5100. For more PCSing details, the Ramstein website, http://www.ramstein.af.mil, has a link that can help.
