As I have mentioned before my family is PCSing at the beginning of July. I have to admit I am really starting to stress over this one. It seems like they don't get much easier no matter how many times you've done it! I think if we had found a home we would be a little more at ease, but we didn't so...
This will be our first PCS where we are having a dilemma with what to do with our mail. Last trip we were close to family and were able to do a temporary address change until we were in a home and then they just brought it to us, but this time we are far, far away and moving even further. Since we didn't find a home on our house hunting trip we are going to have another PCS adventure. I am just glad my husband will be there for this one...He was deployed last time so I moved 4 kids and a dog alone. (If I never have to do that again, I'll be a happy lady)!
If you already know your new address it's a very easy change, Just head over and submit a Forwarding Request. Your mail will be forwarded for up to 1 year. (You will have to make a request after the first 6 months).
If you don't know where your headed it is a bit trickier, but you do have some options...
Complete a Temporary Change of Address and have your mail sent to a friend or family member. If you know someone at your new duty station you can send it there so you'll have quicker access or you can pay for your friend/relative to ship your mail in a box to you. This is the easiest (and best according to the woman I spoke to) option. You'll be able to submit a permanent change of address once you're in a home.
You can also open a PO Box at your new duty station, but you can only open one in person so you can't forward anything until you get there. The other down side to the PO Box option is you have to purchase a minimum of 6 months, but rates start at $14 for that period of time so it's still pretty affordable. (If you have a sponsor they can open a box for you if they are willing, but you will have to go with them when you arrive to get your name on the box and get access).
Another option for those between permanent addressed is General Delivery. This is not available for all zip codes so you'll want to find out which post office near you will participate. You will probably miss out on some mail when you use this option so it is only if you can't complete one of the others.
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You can also have your mail held at your old address until you find a house. Once you have a new address, you submit a change of address/ forwarding mail card and all of the mail that had been held will come to your new address.
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