So why all the drama from a move?  Maybe I was too complacent…or maybe I was in denial that I was leaving a home and area that I loved.  Whatever it was, I was completely unprepared when packing day arrived.  Here are some takeaways from my disaster of a move.

1) Do your research

You can find several tips on a smooth transition.  You can also find generic checklists (USAA has one).  In addition, you should acquire info on the area that you are moving to.  Is there a huge climate change?  Maybe you do not need the heaters that were useful in Alaska if you are moving to Florida.

2) Treat the move as an opportunity to reduce clutter and downsize

Sell things that you no longer need!  Utilize free internet resources such as Craigslist, Facebook "yardsale" pages. Advertise in the local or base paper and consider hang up ads on Bulletin boards. Have a garage sale (or two) if you have the time.  If you feel like you do not have enough for a garage sale, ask your friends if they would like to sell their stuff too.  Not only will you get to spend more time with your buds but you will entice more customers with a multifamily sale.  Spread the wealth by offering things to friends. Donate to a local thrift store (make sure to keep the reciept for tax time).    Don't be afraid to TRASH things!  For larger items, put them on your curb a few days before pick up.  You will be surprised what a neighbor or passerbyer will find a use for.  Most of all, DO NOT ACQURE NEW THINGS!  Sorry didn't mean to yell at you, it's just that sales and deals that cannot be ignored with ruin all of your hard work.  Be strong, you can resist!

3) Organize, Take Inventory and Pictures

Once you have downsized.  Organize the items that are left.  Put small items in plastic bags.  I usually put items like shower curtain rings, puzzles and small toys in 1 Gallon Ziploc bags.  Also, even though the movers will offer to disassemble your beds for you, consider doing it yourselves.  This will allow time to put all the screws into a sandwich bag and taping it to the appropriate disassembled bed.  One move, I allowed the movers to take apart our beds…they were very gracious in keeping all the screws and bolts….but they mixed evvvverything together.  It took some online research to find the directions and hours of dirty looks and frustrated work to reassemble the beds.

Take inventory and pictures of your valuables, especially DVD's and games.  I have heard rumors of people receiving empty DVD cases.  I'm not saying that all companies will steal, but not everyone has integrity…movers are human…and they know that you will be reimbursed if you claim the missing items through the Air Force.  I have had Coach purses, a painting and a whole Sony Surround System "lost" in my moves.

Oh where, Oh where can it be?

Oh where, Oh where has my wristlet gone?

I suspect with my next delivery I will be missing a Coach Wristlet.  I realize that the movers will not pack empty boxes…but why take the item and leave the bag and box behind?  Highly suspect!  Which is why I took my pictures =) 


4) Claim ProGear!!

I cannot express how important this is.  Tell your moving counselor that you are claiming ProGear so that it is annotated on your paperwork.  You can always change your mind and elect NOT to claim ProGear once the movers come…but it doesn't work the other way around.  I made the mistake of skipping this step because I thought it wouldn't make a difference. Imagine the disappointment when we found out we were 1K pounds over and that it was too late to claim my PROfessional Gear.  TMO (Travel Management Office) states that they did not know the "formula" for calculating the approximate dollar amount of what we would owe.  The nice moving counselor's guess was $1 per pound but ultimately it is up to Randolph AFB.  Also, know that you will not be notified of the overage until AFTER your items are shipped and delivered.  Keep in mind this is not including the processing time from Randolph AFB.  In my case, our items are being held in storage because we do not have a permanent address yet.  We wouldn't have known until 12-18 months later that we owed $$$.  The only reason why I knew we were over weight was because I was proactive and called the storage company.  The military will not do this for you!

When you are over the weight allowance there are three things you can do.  First, make sure the company took off 10% for packing material. Second, request a reweigh of your household goods before delivery to your new home.  The Air Force TMO office will accept the lesser of the two weights.  I'm pretty sure our delivery weight will be lighter…we have had items magically disappear or get lost in every single one of our 5 moves.  Last, you can appeal.  I am unfamiliar about the appeal process right now but expect a post if we have to do one.  

5) Hide items that you do not want packed

I have tried putting items in a bathroom, putting a sign on the door, verbally telling the packers, reminding the packers and then sighing in frustration as things still get packed.  The only sure way of keeping things safe is to completely remove it from your home and put it in your car.  Common sense goes out the door with some companies.  Your home becomes a tornado of strangers, paper and boxes.  The packers' objectives are to box your items in a way where they will not break during the move.  They are not paid to shuffle through to see what should be kept.  It is YOUR responsibility to do this.  They will keep an eye out for flammable items and open liquids but they can't catch everything and honestly, some people do not care because it's not THEIR stuff.  Do not get upset if your pretty candle melts all over curtains or photo albums….its YOUR fault!!!  I have had dirty dishes and laundry packed, trash and even a household plant!  It really does happen.

What should you avoid packing?  Here are a few of my suggestions, pick and choose what applies to you.  If I miss anything, feel free to so that I can add it to my list!

• Important Documents such as social security cards; birth, marriage and citizen certificates; pictures; orders…you get the idea! 
• Jewelry 
• High dollar items (I keep my surround sound systems now…the whole box was "lost" during my first PCS move)
• Flammable items- lighters, cleaning supplies, ammo and guns.  Some companies may refuse to pack candles.  Some do it even if they aren't supposed to. 
• Open food or perishable items and liquids
• Anything alive- children, pet creatures, plants etc
• Money- for example, the change you are saving for your next family vacation, the silver quarters you are collecting for the apocalypse and the kids' piggy banks

6) Find a sitter for small children and pets

Doing this will make your life 10x easier.  You will be busy watching the packers/movers, signing papers answering questions and the little rascals may get in the way.  Removing your children and pets from your home will also fulfill rule #5.  The AFRC (Airman and Family Readiness Center) can assist you in finding childcare with a base approved provider.  If your family is PCSing you can receive FREE Childcare at your losing base AND gaining base.  Just bring orders to the office or call to see if you qualify.  Unfortunately, this perk is not available to members who are separating.

7) Take help that is offered

Music kept me sane while cleaning!

Moving is a lot of work and stressful…for everyone!  If a friend or family offers to help consider taking it.  Whether it is babysitting, cleaning or loading up your car, any assistance will reduce your burden.  Don't think of putting someone off, think of it as more time with your friends.  My husband was in Michigan for most of our move from Ohio.  I wish I had taken the help that was offered…but I was too stubborn and prideful to accept it.  I mean I HAD everything taken care of…or so I thought.

8) Call Utility Companies to schedule a discontinue service date

We actually succeeded in doing this item because my husband handled it. LOL. It also helped that our realtor reminded us and sent a list with the companies phone numbers.  Make sure to pay your final bill too! =)

One last thing.  For a DITY (Do-It-Yourself ) move you will need to weigh your car filled and empty.  The TMO counselor will tell you that you can get a weight at any Certified CAT weigh station.  To make things easier for yourself, do this before you start your travels.  I wasted valuable travel time by attempting to weighing my car at one of these stations.  See the problem?

This is all I have for now, I will update once I think of more useful info.  Please feel free to comment with any resources or suggestions that I missed.  Thank you!

There are many opinions of my decision -some supportive, some….not so supporrtive- but believe me I  have heard it all!  The best advice I got was to "do what was best for my family".  My family and I considered all options but ultimately once we made our decision a huge weight was lifted from my shoulders and my family was able to press forward.  If you too are stuck at the crossroads of re-enlisting or separating (voluntarily or not), do not take it lightly (of course)….but know that you may NEVER feel 100% sure of what is right or wrong. And keep in mind, even if it is YOUR career, this very important decision will impact the spouse and children.  It wouldn't be a bad idea to include their thoughts/concerns….but I'm not telling you what to do!

This leads me to my next subject.

3 Things to Avoid Saying to Someone Leaving the Military  

The following rule can be applied in most life situations….but somehow its forgotten when a member chooses to separate from the military…don't give unsolicited advice!!  Of course you think that person is making a huge mistake!  But guess what?  It's their "mistake" to make.  Whether you believe the military is a JOB or consider it a WAY OF LIFE, you are not wrong.  People are ALLOWED to have their own opinion.  In fact, the military embraces such thought, well according to the many mandated online training that we must complete (such as diversity training), they do.  I heard an opinion and advice during every step of my out processing and *surprise* I never asked for it.  Honestly, I didn't really care what they thought but I accepted it with a smile and a nod.  I found this being the more time efficient approach.  Veterans and Active Duty members are accustomed to telling people what to do.  Accept it and go along your merry way.  So what should you avoid saying to someone leaving the military?

1) How long have you been in? You didn't want to work the [insert #] extra years to retire? 

Not all separations are voluntary so asking this questions may be a sore subject for the member.  Even if the separation is voluntary, asking the question is pointless…obviously the individual DIDN'T want to work the additional years to make it to retirement.  Asking this question does nothing but put doubt in the mind of a person who is going through a huge life change.

2) If I were you, I would…..

Before you finish this sentence stop yourself.  You have no idea what the individual is going through.  You do not know the big picture of what brought them to the decision they made.  You do not know what their future plan is.  You don't know!!! So why do you feel your suggestion will help or even apply?  I cannot tell you how irritated I felt, when someone would utter these words.  I wanted to scream "But you're not ME"!

3) You're going to regret it. 

Man, oh man.  If you want to get someone's blood pressure up, mention that the person will regret it.  Or mention that your uncle's cousin's mom's dog regrets it.  You get the picture right?  Who cares if you know someone who regrets separating?  I have friends who regret separating instead of retiring….but I also have friends who have left and never looked back.  Again, everyone is different.

Please don't think I am simply pro separation for everyone or bitter.  I will never regret my time in the service.  I am glad I enlisted 2 weeks after graduating from Yuma High School (Go Criminals).  I have acquired skills for which I would have never, ever experienced if I wasn't a Surgical Technician.  I am forever grateful that the Air Force has allowed me to travel around the country (plus overseas for one tour).  Although I never deployed, I would have gladly gone!  I kept myself up to speed on training and readiness...but was never sent.  I know some individuals who have been sent 5 times and some who have retired with none.  All careers are not the same but instead of deployments, mine consisted of PCSing to 5 different duty stations approximately every 3 years…and now it's time for me to settle down in Michigan….hang up my uniform and civilianize.  

I have a few additional military appropriate posts that I have been meaning to write.  Keep checking!  BTW, any ideas for a new blog name? Decisions. Decisions.