The first real decision in a military move is who runs the shipment. In one path the government arranges a carrier for you. In the other, you take charge of the move yourself. Each suits different households.
How a government-arranged shipment works
In a government-arranged move, the shipment is booked in the Defense Personal Property System and assigned to an approved carrier. You work with your transportation office on dates and on what is packed and shipped. You do not pick the carrier yourself, which keeps the process simple but means less control over who shows up.
This path suits families who want one process to follow, have a standard household, and prefer to let the system handle assignment.
How a Personally Procured Move works
With a PPM, you arrange the move yourself. That can mean renting a truck and driving it, or hiring a professional mover directly. The Navy's PPM handout is clear that a PPM requires a valid set of orders, so get those first. Because you choose the mover, you also choose the date, the services and the level of help.
This path suits families who want to control timing, have an unusual set of belongings, or want a crew they have met in advance and an estimate they can read before committing.
Questions to settle before you choose
- What does your counselor say your orders cover in each path?
- How much of the work do you want to do yourself?
- Do you have heavy items, such as a piano or a pool table, that need special handling?
- Do you need storage before the new home is ready?
- How firm is your report date?
Where O'Brien's fits
O'Brien's is DOD approved to move and store military household goods. Government-arranged shipments are assigned through DPS and your transportation office. If you choose a PPM, or want storage or extra help beyond what the shipment covers, you can hire O'Brien's directly. Call 775-359-6683, Monday to Friday, 8 am to 5 pm, and an estimator will schedule a free in-home estimate that includes 10 free heavy-duty boxes.
For a Nevada move our estimate is itemized and in writing, and you get an itemized inventory and condition report before packing begins. See how our estimates work.
Ask your counselor before you decide
Your Personal Property Office can explain what each path means for your specific orders. Take the questions above to that conversation, and write down the answers. Then follow the booking steps in how DPS works or the full PCS checklist.