Naval Supply Systems Command Global Logistics Support (NAVSUP GLS) encourages Sailors to start planning now to navigate through the peak season household goods (HHG) moving rush as tens of thousands of Navy Sailors receive orders to new assignments across the nation and worldwide.

Peak season for household goods moves runs from May 15 to August 15. During this time, almost 65 percent of all Department of Defense household goods moves for the year will be executed.

"Early initiative and flexibility are key ingredients for a successful household goods move during the summer peak season," said Deborah McGlennon, NAVSUP GLS Household Goods program manager. "The sooner you submit your application, orders and all the required signed documents, the more control you will have over your move."

Personnel preparing to execute a permanent change of station (PCS) move are encouraged to take the following actions 30 days prior to receipt of orders:

* Visit the NAVSUP GLS HHG and personal property website at https://www.navsup.navy.mil/household/dps. If using a tablet or mobile phone, be sure to include the "https" prefix to the web address.
* Explore the informative tutorials available on the website. Tutorials cover subjects including initial processing, self-counseling, storage information, tracking your shipment, and claims processing.
* Register for a Defense Personal Property System account at the web address, www.move.mil/.
* Self-counsel on your move entitlements.
* Submit your household goods shipment application.
* For guidance on account creation, application screenshot assistance, and notices for moves outside of the continental United States (OCONUS), go to https://www.navsup.navy.mil/household/dps.

Members will submit shipment applications in the DPS, while also providing a copy of PCS orders and all other required documents to the applicable local counseling office. These documents must be provided a minimum of three weeks prior to the desired pack-out date and are required before any action can be taken on an application.

"It is critical that service members do not cut their leases and move out of their current housing without first receiving confirmation of their move-out date," said McGlennon.

The transportation service provider (TSP), or moving company, will call to conduct a pre-move survey over the phone. Final pack and pick-up dates are not confirmed until the conclusion of the pre-move survey.

Be flexible when arranging your dates for packing, pick-up and delivery. Often during the summer months local moving companies are operating at capacity and sometimes a first choice of moving dates cannot be accommodated. Keep in mind although all efforts will be made to meet agreed upon dates, mechanical failures, natural disasters or other delays can affect scheduled pick-ups.

Required delivery dates must be realistic, allowing for transit time and can be negotiated with the TSP. Be sure to document in writing agreed upon dates if they are other than the originally scheduled move dates.

Immediately notify the local personal property office should any unforeseen issues arise.

For those packing light, consider performing a personally procured move (PPM). Eligible service members may be paid up to 95 percent of the government's cost for performing a similar TSP-executed move.

Consider purging unnecessary personal property and household goods items to avoid exceeding your authorized weight entitlement. Members exceeding their entitlements are subject to excess costs recovery or paying out of pocket for the weight above the entitlement.

If you have household goods in storage, remember to contact your servicing personal property office with the desired disposition of your storage.

And finally, upon completion of your move, go into DPS to complete a customer satisfaction survey. Your survey score has a direct impact on the shipments the moving company will receive in the future.

"We have special tips and videos, FAQs, links to articles and other helpful tools specific to Navy members' responsibilities available on our NAVSUP Household Goods links website (https://www.navsup.navy.mil/household/link)," said McGlennon. "Household goods moves are truly a team effort and we are working hard to move the fleet during this critical time in our Sailors' and their families' lives."

Sailors may submit questions via email to householdgoods@navy.mil or call 1-855-HHG-MOVE (1-855-444-6683).

Navy Household Goods is also on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/navyhhg/; YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/navyhhg/; Twitter at www.twitter.com/navyhhg/ and Pinterest at www.pinterest.com/navyhhg/.

NAVSUP GLS provides global logistics for a global Navy. The organization is made up of approximately 6,300 military and civilian logistics professionals operating from 105 locations worldwide providing an extensive array of integrated global logistics and contracting services to Navy, Marine Corps, joint operational units and allied forces across all warfare enterprises.

Visit https://www.navsup.navy.mil/navsup/ourteam/navsupgls/news for more NAVSUP GLS news. Connect with NAVSUP GLS on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/navsupgls/.