The Move: Preparing to PCS

Don’t know what PCS means? That’s okay. I didn’t either at one point in my life, but it means Permanent Change of Station. While the idea and thought of moving to a country overseas is thrilling, it’s also kind of sorta terrifying? There is a lot that goes into the entire process. For a type A crazy like me, it was a rollercoaster of feeling ALL the feelings. There is a lot involved in moving your entire life to a new country, so I’m here to share a few tips.

1. Proper Documentation and Paperwork: A lot of the necessary paperwork falls on the responsibility of your spouse that is active duty. Which maybe is nice for you (the spouse) but for me, it was one more thing that I couldn’t control and be in charge of– which was very hard for me. You will need to get all of yours and your children’s health records (immunization history, dental, procedures, mental health, etc.) and school records (if they are of age to be in school). It’s a process, but it all has to be approved and you and your family must be cleared to accompany your active duty spouse. It’s mostly to see if they have the necessary supports that you or your children may require. Apply for passports ASAP, if you don’t already have them, to ensure there are no hangups.
2. Packing and Moving: The military sends people into your home to pack up and ship off all your goods, as well as store whatever you decide to keep back in the states. If you’re a Type B personality and don’t give two shits about how your stuff is packed, then this is glorious for you. If you’re like me, however, and control is your middle name… well then, you’re going to have to learn the art of *letting go*… a little. My biggest tip is be organized. Think about what will you want in your home right away when you get overseas? Cooking essentials, bedding, toys for your children.. things you will want and use on the daily. These sort of things should go in your unaccompanied baggage (typically the 2nd shipment) and this has to be under 1,000 pounds. As for the household goods, this is typically all of the big things like furniture, majority of your clothes, decor, things like that. Take into account what season it is while you’re moving. Will you need shorts and dresses or gloves and jackets? Whichever you WON’T need, send with the Household Goods. This shipment is typically shipped off first and you will receive last. We got here January 2nd and we are still waiting on our Household Goods and it’s almost March.. so. Just be prepared that it may be awhile before you receive the majority of your things. We threw an Apple air tag in a box with our household goods and threw one in a box for our unaccompanied baggage. This way we were able to track where our things were at. If you’re like me, organize things in groups and clusters that you want to be boxed together. That way, when it’s time to unpack, all those things you organized are together and make it a bit easier to get everything organized and put away when you’re in your new home.
3. Packing Part 2: Downsize. The homes here are small. They lack in the storage and closet space department. If you think you’ve downsized, downsize even more. I had to get rid of more clothes once I got here because I just did not have space for my 67th hoodie and shirts I’ve worn twice in the last year. Also, check the voltage for all your electronics and know what ones will need adapters or be plugged into a transformer. The base will lend you transformers for the duration of your stay — they’re just kind of big and bulky. Not super aesthetic but necessary.
4. Understanding the Overseas Customs Process
   Each country has its own rules about what can and can’t be brought in, and the UK is no exception. Before we left, we researched British customs regulations so we wouldn’t run into any issues when our shipment arrived. Knowing what’s allowed (and what’s prohibited) helped us avoid any surprises, especially when it came to food items or certain electronics.
5. The Emotional Roller Coaster
   While all of this logistics and planning can be exciting, it’s also a huge emotional adjustment. Saying goodbye to friends, family, and familiar surroundings is never easy. We really focused on making the most of our time at home before we left and now I’m very intentional of finding ways to stay connected with loved ones back home. The time difference kind of sucks, but you get used to it. At the same time, there’s excitement in the uncertainty of what’s ahead. It’s okay to feel a little (or a lot) overwhelmed—it’s all part of the process! All your feelings are normal.
6. Getting Ready for British Life
   One of the fun parts of a move like this is learning about your new home! From researching the British culture, local customs, and the famous British weather to figuring out transportation, we’re diving into everything that makes the UK unique. If you’re on Facebook, join the spouse groups for the base you’re reporting to. The men and women in those are so extremely helpful and post all sorts of different information from areas to live in, places they love to eat, travel tips/questions, etc. Join it. You won’t regret it.
7. Preparing for the Big Day: Finally, the day of the move itself! This is where the preparation pays off. We made sure to double-check everything before we left—keep important documents (passports and official orders), any medications, and a small bag of essentials with us. Also, we tried to remember to take a deep breath and trust the process. Hug your loved ones extra tight and know that the time does go by quickly. You’ll see them soon. You got this! Preparing for a PCS overseas is no small feat, but it’s an adventure worth every bit of effort. By planning early, staying organized, and keeping an open mind, we were ready to embrace this new chapter with excitement.

Stay tuned for more as we continue to settle into our new life here in the UK and throw ourselves into new and exciting travel adventures!

Have you gone through the PCS process before? What’s one tip you’d share with someone moving overseas? Let me know in the comments!

Cheers for now –more things Brit ahead!