HomeNewsArticle Display

Website aims to take stress out of changing duty stations

  • Published
  • 72nd Logistics Readiness Squadron
TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  Changing duty stations can be stressful any time of the year. The disruption caused by the May tornadoes and a higher-than average number of moves associated with deactivation of the 3rd Combat Communications Group have made this summer particularly challenging at Tinker AFB. The civilian furloughs have also reduced the number of appointments and hours staff can devote each week to helping customers schedule household-goods shipments.

Unfortunately, the brunt of the impact is being felt by members as they attempt to schedule outbound shipments of household goods through the Personal Property Processing Office.

Because of the high volume of PCS traffic during the peak season, and the above adverse events, travelers are currently waiting three weeks for a PPPO appointment after receipt of travel orders. It takes an additional three weeks for the Joint Personal Property Shipping Office in San Antonio to schedule a moving company to pack, load, and ship your HHG for a total of six weeks lead-time between your PPPO appointment and pickup of your HHG.

In addition to the transportation difficulties facing travelers, Senior Master Sgt. Chris Guth of the 72nd Force Support Squadron Outbound Assignments office adds, "From our end we stress to the customers that the orders are authenticated at AFPC and that can take up to five business days. Many customers think that once they have turned in all of the required documents to us that their orders will be done the same day."

In spite of all these setbacks, it's not all bad news: The Surface Deployment Distribution Command operates the online Defense Personal Property System allowing travelers to schedule transportation of their HHG without a PPPO appointment. With the exception of members embarking on their first or final PCS move, members can schedule their HHG movement from home on their personal computer and waive their face-to-face appointment with a PPPO counselor. When the member's data-entry is complete, DPS will direct the member to print several documents to be dropped at PPPO along with a copy of the member's PCS orders (no appointment necessary). Skipping the face-to-face appointment cuts the member's lead-time in half and dramatically increases San Antonio's chances of finding a moving company in a challenging transportation environment.

Whether choosing to see a PPPO counselor or not, the process begins with PCS orders. Members must obtain their orders from Outbound Assignments before entering shipment information into DPS online (the system will ask for the travel order number). When choosing the optional face-to-face counseling, members must still complete their DPS entry before attending the PPPO appointment.

In light of the current circumstances, it is absolutely essential to get the required documents to Outbound Assignments as soon as possible. Some members have delayed getting their orders only to find a local transportation system already strained by the above events and unable to pick up the member's HHG on the requested date. If members do not have orders at least 60 days prior to their departure, they should contact Outbound Assignments at 739-3615 and the PPPO at 739-3059 immediately to discuss your options.