A PCS out of Joint Base San Antonio (JBSA) is one of those moves where timing is everything. Between government paperwork, packing schedules, truck reservations, and family logistics, the difference between a smooth move and a stressful one usually comes down to what you booked, and when. If you are searching for trusted Military PCS Movers in San Antonio, this guide walks you through exactly what to book and when, so nothing gets missed and nothing gets booked too late.
JBSA includes Lackland, Randolph, and Fort Sam Houston, plus several outlying installations. It is one of the largest military hubs in the country, and PCS season here gets crowded fast. Here is the timeline that keeps your move on track.
Why Booking Order Matters for a JBSA PCS
Military families know that PCS moves do not happen on flexible schedules. Orders, report dates, and household timelines all stack up against each other. The booking sequence matters because:
- Movers and truck rentals book up months in advance during peak season
- Schools, utilities, and pet logistics depend on confirmed move dates
- Weight tickets, paperwork, and TMO counseling have their own lead times
- Reimbursement deadlines start the moment you arrive at your new duty station
Get the booking order right, and the rest of the move falls into place. Get it wrong, and you spend the last two weeks scrambling.
Half Price Movers has been helping San Antonio military families PCS for over 40 years. You can see the full San Antonio area we cover on our areas we serve page.
120 Days Before PCS: Lay the Foundation
This is when you start the official process. Lock these in first.
Book Your TMO Counseling
Visit the Traffic Management Office at JBSA (or use Move.mil) and schedule your initial counseling appointment. This is where you decide whether to do an HHG (government-arranged), PPM (Personally Procured Move), or partial PPM.
You will receive:
- DD Form 1299 (HHG) or DD Form 2278 (PPM)
- Your authorized weight allowance
- Counseling on entitlements and timelines
- Information on weight ticket requirements (if PPM)
The official Move.mil PCS planning portal is the only authoritative source for current rules and forms.
Start Your Household Inventory
Walk every room, list what you own, and photograph valuables. Note serial numbers on electronics. This is your insurance policy if something gets lost or damaged later.
Start Researching Civilian Movers (If PPM or Partial PPM)
If you are doing a PPM or want civilian help, this is the time to research. Look for licensed and insured Texas movers with strong reviews and military experience. Verify any company through the Texas DMV Truck Stop database before requesting quotes.
90 Days Before PCS: Lock In Your Major Bookings
Book Your HHG Pack and Pickup Dates (HHG Moves)
If you are using government-arranged movers, your TMO will help you select pack and pickup dates. The earlier you book, the more flexibility you have. Peak season (May through August) fills up fast at JBSA.
Book Civilian Movers (PPM Moves)
If you are using civilian movers for all or part of your PPM, this is when to lock in your dates. Half Price Movers can handle full-service, fragile-only packing, or labor-only crews for service members. Learn more on our residential moving services page.
Reserve Your Rental Truck or Container (PPM Moves)
If you are driving yourself, reserve your truck or moving container now. U-Haul, Penske, Budget, and container services (PODS, U-Box, 1-800-PACK-RAT) all book out heavily during summer PCS season.
Schedule Vehicle Shipment
If you are shipping a privately owned vehicle (POV) through the government, schedule it now. POV shipments take time and have their own paperwork.
Schedule Pet Logistics
Vet visits, vaccinations, and paperwork can take weeks to arrange. If you are flying with pets or moving internationally, start now.
60 Days Before PCS: Prep Your Household
Notify Schools
Request records transfer and notify your kids' current schools. Get a copy of their records before you leave (digital and paper).
Schedule Utility Disconnects
Set the disconnect dates for your San Antonio home: electricity, water, gas, internet, trash, and any subscriptions tied to your address.
Set Up Utilities at Your New Duty Station
Schedule connection dates for your new home. Doing this early prevents the "no internet on arrival" headache.
Update Mailing Addresses
Banks, insurance, credit cards, the VA, subscriptions, and any service tied to your address need updates. The post office offers a free mail forwarding service.
Notify Insurance Providers
Update auto, renters, and any other policies. Your new duty station address may change your rates.
Schedule Weight Tickets (PPM)
If you are doing a PPM, schedule certified empty and full weight tickets at a TMO-approved scale. The Military OneSource PCS planning resource has a full step-by-step on what to expect.
30 Days Before PCS: Confirm and Tighten
Confirm All Bookings
Reconfirm dates and times with:
- Your HHG carrier or civilian movers
- Truck or container rental
- Vehicle shipment
- Pet transport
- Cleaning services (if you are using one for move-out)
Schedule Final Medical and Dental Appointments
Get any outstanding prescriptions filled. Request copies of medical and dental records to bring with you.
Start Decluttering
The less you ship, the lower your costs (and the lower your risk of going over your weight allowance for HHG). Donate, sell, or toss anything that does not need to come with you.
Cancel Local Memberships
Gyms, clubs, lawn services, pool services, and any local subscriptions tied to your San Antonio address.
Plan Travel
Map your route, book flights or lodging if needed, and confirm reimbursable expenses with TMO.
2 Weeks Before PCS: Final Prep
Pack a 72-Hour Essentials Bag
Medications, toiletries, clothes for a few days, phone chargers, snacks, and any items you cannot live without. This goes with you, not on the truck.
Pack Important Documents Separately
These stay with you at all times:
- PCS orders
- DD Form 1299 or 2278
- Weight tickets (PPM)
- Military and family IDs
- Birth certificates and Social Security cards
- Medical and dental records
- Vehicle titles and registration
- School records
- Pet vaccination records
Empty and Defrost Appliances
Fridges, freezers, and washing machines need to be emptied, defrosted, and cleaned at least 24 hours before the move.
Photograph Your Home
Before the packers or movers arrive, take photos of every room. This documents the condition of your home and any valuable items.
Confirm Base Housing Move-Out (If Applicable)
If you are in base housing, confirm your final walkthrough and clearance appointment with the housing office.
Move Day: Be Present and Verify
Be On-Site
Be present for the entire pack-out and pickup. Walk the home, confirm what is being moved, and stay available.
Verify the Inventory
For HHG moves, the carrier creates an inventory list. Read it carefully. Note any pre-existing damage. Sign only after you agree with everything on the list.
Get the Loaded Weight Ticket (PPM)
If you are doing a PPM, drive to your approved scale after loading and get the full weight ticket. Save the original.
Photograph the Loaded Truck
This protects you in case of damage claims later.
After Arrival: Settle In and File for Reimbursement
Inventory on Delivery
When your shipment arrives, verify it against the original inventory. Note any damage on the official paperwork before signing.
Submit PPM Paperwork Promptly
Within 45 days of arrival, submit to your TMO:
- DD Form 2278 (signed)
- Original weight tickets
- All receipts (truck rental, fuel, movers, supplies, tolls, lodging)
- Operating expense worksheet
- Anything else your TMO requires
Missing paperwork is the most common reason service members lose part of their reimbursement.
File Damage Claims Promptly (HHG)
If anything was damaged or lost during an HHG move, file your claim through DPS within the required timeframe.
Connect Utilities and Settle In
Get electricity, water, internet, and trash service active. Enroll kids in their new schools. Update your driver's license and vehicle registration as required.
Where Civilian Military PCS Movers Fit In
Even with government-arranged moves, civilian help is often needed. Common scenarios:
- PPM loading and driving so you do not have to drive a rental truck
- Labor-only crews for service members who rented a truck or container
- Fragile-only packing for items you do not want shipped with HHG
- Specialty moving for pianos, antiques, artwork, and oversized items
- Local moves within San Antonio for service members PCSing to nearby base housing or off-base homes
- Pre-PCS cleanout moves for hauling unwanted items to storage or donation
Half Price Movers is family-owned, fully licensed and insured in Texas, and based right here in San Antonio. We know JBSA Lackland, Randolph, Fort Sam Houston, and the surrounding neighborhoods. You can request a free quote online or see our complete military PCS moving services for everything we offer.
Common Booking Mistakes Military Families Make
A little planning prevents almost all of these.
- Waiting too long to book civilian movers or truck rentals
- Skipping or delaying TMO counseling
- Forgetting to schedule pet, vehicle, or international logistics
- Not photographing valuables before pack-out
- Booking the cheapest mover without verifying license and insurance
- Mixing important documents with packed boxes
- Not requesting school and medical records early
- Losing receipts and weight tickets (PPM)
A printed PCS booking timeline taped to the fridge solves most of these.
Ready to Make Your JBSA PCS Easier?
A PCS from Joint Base San Antonio is a big project, but with the right booking order and the right help at the right moments, it is absolutely manageable. Whether you need full-service support, labor-only crews, or specialty packing for valuables, Half Price Movers is ready to help. Family-owned, licensed and insured, and proudly serving Texas military families since 1979.
Visit our San Antonio service area page to confirm we cover your neighborhood, or explore our complete residential moving services for everything included.
Ready to make your move? Half Price Movers has been serving Texas families since 1979. Call (361) 245-3862 (San Antonio) or (361) 937-7615 (Corpus Christi), or get your free quote.
Frequently Asked Questions
How early should I start booking my PCS from JBSA?
At least 90 to 120 days before your move date, especially during peak PCS season (May through August). Counseling, paperwork, and reservations all take time, and the earliest bookings get the best date flexibility.
Can I use civilian Military PCS Movers and still get a PPM reimbursement?
Yes. You can hire licensed civilian movers, rent a truck, use a container service, or any combination. As long as you provide certified weight tickets and proper receipts, your move qualifies for PPM reimbursement.
What is the difference between HHG and PPM?
HHG (Household Goods) is when the government arranges and pays a contracted carrier to handle your move. PPM (Personally Procured Move, formerly DITY) is when you manage the move yourself and receive a reimbursement based on what the government would have paid. Many service members combine both.
Do you handle PCS moves for all JBSA locations?
Yes. We serve all of Joint Base San Antonio, including Lackland, Randolph, Fort Sam Houston, and the surrounding off-base housing in Westover Hills, Schertz, Universal City, and beyond.
Can Half Price Movers help with just part of my PCS?
Absolutely. We offer labor-only crews, fragile-only packing, full-service moves, and specialty handling for pianos and antiques. You pick the help you need, and we customize the plan.
Are Half Price Movers licensed and insured?
Yes. We are fully licensed and insured in Texas, and our credentials can be verified through the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles. We are happy to provide our license number and certificate of insurance on request.
How do I know how big a rental truck to book?
A general rule: 10-foot truck for a studio, 16-foot for a one to two-bedroom, 20-foot for a two to three-bedroom, 26-foot for a three to four-bedroom. Always size up rather than down. Running out of space halfway through loading is a common PPM mistake.
What if my orders change after I have already booked everything?
PCS dates change all the time. Notify your TMO and your civilian movers as soon as possible. Customized moving plans are designed to flex when life and orders shift, and we will do everything we can to accommodate.