The Department of Defense announced that it would increase its efforts to ensure that military families forced to move due to a new deployment would be less affected by the associated implications.
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth signed a memorandum on Monday calling for the commander of U.S. Transportation Command to take half a dozen different actions “immediately” to alleviate the burden on permanently relocated military families.
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“I take my responsibilities to our service members, civilians, and their families seriously,” Hegseth said in the memo. “Through these measures, we will ensure we remain the most lethal fighting force in the world by ensuring that our warriors and their families receive the best [permanent change of station] PCS move available.”
In a video shared on social media, Hegseth also announced the formation of a PCS task force that would “recommend rapid actions” to improve families’ experiences.
Moving military families can use the Global Household Goods Contract program, though Hegseth ordered the military to provide new financial incentives for families willing to manage their own moves. The increase in reimbursement will help ensure families don’t lose money on additional expenses they don’t cover.
Earlier this month, the Pentagon released the results of the 2024 Active Duty Spouse Survey, which found that PSC moves continue to be a challenge for families. About half of the respondents who experienced a PSC move described their effort to find new employment as a “large” or “very large” problem. In addition to the loss of income, respondents also said nonreimbursable expenses were incurred during the move.
Tim Dill, who is performing the duties of the deputy undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness, said, “One particular concern that I think highlights just one of the many challenges that military families face is the PCS move.”
“And then finally, something that’s just been in the news recently, the out-of-pocket costs associated with the move,” Dill said. “That has come to our attention on the policy level, and it is certainly not Secretary Hegseth’s intent that any military family should be coming out of pocket to pay for a move that is due to the needs of the military.”