Put remotes in large plastic bags and tape them to the TV. Do teh same with nuts and bolts of furniture

Put silverware and utemsils in gallon sized ziplock bags so you dont have to wash them before using them.

(Tips from Heroes at home by Ellie Kay)

http://www.defenselink.mil/specials/itsyourmove/

If you sustain a loss or damage to your personal property, promptly contact the claims office for assistance. You must allow inspection of the property by both the government and the carrier at either's request. Do not dispose of any damaged items until the damage has been inspected by all authorized parties or you have been instructed to do so by the claims office.

The carrier is permitted to leave un-breakable and light items in drawers for close proximity moves.

Government Maximum Payment: When moving within the continental United States, a member may request increased valuation or FULL REPLACEMENT coverage. The cost for additional coverage, however, is borne by the member. Members who are prepared to pay for additional coverage should provide the Personal Property Office counselor with sufficient notice, which in most cases is two weeks.

Military Personnel and Civilian Employees' Claim Act:

***EXCERPT FROM JAGINST 5890.1 PERSONNEL CLAIMS REGULATIONS***

Computation of Award: The Judge Advocate General will periodically publish an Allowance List-Depreciation Guide specifying rates of depreciation and maximum payments applicable to categories of property. The Allowance List-Depreciation Guide will be binding on all Department of the Navy claims personnel. The value of the loss is determined and adjusted to reflect payments, repairs, or replacement by carriers or insurers, or lost potential insurance or carrier recoveries. Depreciation: The Personnel Claims Act is only intended to compensate claimants for fair market value of their loss. Except in unusual cases, a used item that has been lost or destroyed is worth less than a new item of the same type.
Responsibilities of the claimant regarding claims against carriers, contractors and/or insurers: "The claimant is required to take all reasonable action to perfect a timely claim against any responsible carrier, contractor, and/or insurer, or to assist the Navy in the perfection of a timely claim. Failure to take exceptions at the time of delivery of household goods shipments or to make notification of later discovered damage within seventy (70) days is considered sufficient grounds for deducting, from the amount otherwise payable, the amount of any carrier, contractor, or insurance recovery jeopardized by failure of the claimant or his agent to act promptly and reasonably."
Full Replacement Insurance: You may choose to purchase Full Replacement Insurance at the time of your initial Entitlements Counseling session. It is available only for household goods shipments moving within the Continental United States.
Coverage Computation: The amount of coverage is determined by the net weight of your household goods with the minimum weight of 6,000* pounds. The following is the formula for computing the cost for full replacement insurance using 10,000 pounds as an example:

$3.50 x 10,000 net weight = $35,000 valuation
35,000 x $.85(total cost)- 10,000 x $1.25 x $.64(gov't contribution)
$297.50 - $80 = 217.59 cost to member

If you have a 5,000 pound shipment and elect full replacement, you will be charged the cost of valuation based on the minimum weight of 6,000 pounds. Although the government has a maximum payment of $40,000 for any loss or damage arising from a single incident, the government payment is subject to depreciation and maximum payables.

The advantage of Full Replacement Insurance is that the carrier will be liable for the repair and/or full replacement value (comparable item) of any item damaged or lost in shipment up to the declared valuation. No depreciation will be applied to a replacement cost.

Upon receipt of your household goods at destination it is important that any visible loss or damage is noted on the DD Form 1840, Joint Statement of Loss and/or Damage at Delivery.

Any additional damages discovered after unpacking your shipment should be listed on the reverse side, DD Form 1840R, Notice of Loss and Damage. The complete form must be submitted to your destination transportation office claim within 70 days. Failure to do so will result in non-payment of your claim. Your claim must be submitted directly to the carrier. If you do not receive a satisfactory settlement or settlement is not made within a reasonable time frame (30 days) you may contact your destination transportation office for assistance.

http://www.militarypay.com/DamagedProtection.html

Items Not Authorized for Shipment

Weapons

No ammunition may be shipped. The shipment of firearms is subject to various laws and regulations, and members must comply with all local, state and federal laws. If moving overseas, members must abide by the host country laws as well. Here are some basic guidelines:

Avoiding Excess Personal Costs

http://www.militarypay.com/Restrictions.html

If you are in receipt of orders, the DO IT YOURSELF (DITY) move program may be a good deal for you. You can:

The DITY program is designed to allow you to move your property and to receive a reimbursement from the Government. If you are renting a vehicle to move your property, the Government pays you an operating allowance. The allowance is 60 percent of the estimated constructive cost of your move if you are transferring, retiring or making a local move and 50 percent of the estimated constructive cost of your move if you are separating, based on the estimated weight of your household goods. The operating allowance is designed to help defray the expense of the deposit on a rental vehicle. IF YOU ARE USING A POV TO MOVE YOUR PROPERTY, NO OPERATING ALLOWANCE IS AUTHORIZED.

Note: Reimbursement for doing a DITY move is only for moving expenses and is entirely separate from travel pay.

Once you have reached your destination, you must submit a claim for reimbursement to the Naval Transportation Support Center (NAVTRANS),1837 Morris Street, Ste 600, Norfolk, VA 23511-3492 within 45 days of your move date. Claim should consist of the DD2278, DD1351-2, weight tickets, orders, proof of dependents and all receipts (gas, oil, packing materials, etc). Receipts are used as an auditing tool as well as your proof that you actually performed the move. Your reimbursement will be equal to 95% of what it would have cost the government to move your property using a contracted commercial carrier.

NOTE: Expenses for food and lodging should not be included in your DITY claim.

Incentive payments differ according to the weight of the household goods, distance traveled and a number of other factors which work together to determine your final incentive. Prior approval to perform a DITY move must be obtained from your local Personal Property Office. Failure to do so will result in non-payment of the incentive portion of your claim.

Individual situations may vary widely so the DITY Program may not be for everyone. The Personal Property Office can let you know the most cost-effective method of moving your household goods. If you have any questions regarding the advisability of doing a DITY move, ask for an estimate before you make your appointment.

The DITY move program is offered to you as an alternate means of moving household goods within the continental United States and Alaska (excluding Adak). DITY MOVES TO OVERSEAS AREAS ARE NOT AUTHORIZED. You have the option of selecting one of three types:

1. POV: Your privately owned or borrowed vehicle (NO OPERATING ALLOWANCE IS AUTHORIZED) can be used to effect your move. You must provide the vehicle registration or other proof of ownership when making your appointment. If the vehicle used to effect your move is a borrowed vehicle you must also provide a Letter of Authorization from the owner.

2. RENTAL VEHICLE: You procure the rental equipment and the accessories yourself and perform all the labor. Sources of rental equipment must be bonafide rental vendors such as RYDER, U-HAUL, etc. Rental of POVs from other individuals or rental of commercial vehicles from other than rental companies such as catering firms, lumber yards, owner operated tractor trailers, etc will not be authorized.

YOU LOAD-THEY-DRIVE: Offered by commercial carriers vice rental contractors. You perform all the packing, loading, unloading and unpacking of the van. The Carrier supplies the truck and driver to perform the line haul movement. Incentives for this type of move are authorized under public law, and will be calculated on the same basis as a DITY move by rental vehicle or POV.

3. COUNSELING: PARTICIPATION IN THE DITY PROGRAM IS VOLUNTARY. YOU MAY CHOOSE A DITY MOVE, A GOVERNMENT MOVE OR A COMBINATION OF THE TWO METHODS, SUBJECT TO ENTITLEMENT LIMITATIONS.

CURRENT MAILING ADDRESS: You must have a current mailing address and furnish it at the time of counseling. Numerous checks are returned daily to the paying office as undeliverable due to insufficient addresses, among other reasons. Additionally, the Post Office WILL NOT forward a Government check even though a change of address is on file.

WEIGHT TICKET IDENTIFICATION: To ensure proper identification of the weight tickets and subsequent payment of your incentive allowance, it is essential that the following information be included on each weight ticket obtained:

METHOD OF WEIGHING: VEHICLES MUST BE WEIGHED EMPTY AND FULL

1. Trucks and POV: Driver and all passengers must be out of vehicle and gas tank must be full each time vehicle is weighed. You MUST make every effort to weigh the vehicle at one time, either on a large platform scale or on two or more smaller scales.

NOTE: ANY POV IN TOW MUST BE DISCONNECTED PRIOR TO WEIGHING

2. Trailers: Driver and all passengers must be out of trailer. Rear seats, truck and car top carriers must be empty and gas tank must be full at each weighing. Towing vehicles and trailer must be weighed as a complete unit at one time on a large platform scale or on two smaller scales.

3. Axle weights are acceptable.

STORAGE:
Temporary storage incident to a DITY move is authorized at Government expense. However, the monetary incentive will be based on line haul costs and will not include an incentive payment for the storage portion of the move.

If you must procure storage, you should use a private storage facility and submit a claim for reimbursement for personally procured storage. This will be submitted on a DD1351-2 to NAVTRANS, Norfolk, VA.

You should have a residence available for delivery of the goods at destination within the period specified for the move. If storage is required at destination, you SHOULD do a Government move.

INSURANCE:
Coverage for vehicle failure is furnished by the contractor. Product failure insurance is also provided for trailers. Some automobile insurers extend coverage while pulling a trailer.

If you are involved in an accident while using the DITY program, you should first immediately notify a local law enforcement agency (you MUST have an official accident report to substantiate any claim for loss and/or damage) and if using a rental vehicle, the contractor. Liability in such cases is determined by the laws of the state in which the accident occurs and you may be held personally responsible if you have inadequate insurance coverage to satisfy all damage and third party claims or lawsuits resulting from an accident. Additional insurance, if required, must be procured by you, the member, and is not reimbursable by the Government. If you are involved in an accident while driving a rental vehicle, you may be required to pay. The Navy JAG has ruled that the amount of the deductible is not reimbursable by the Government. You should consider purchasing insurance deductible waivers (at personal expense) from the rental company and it would be wise to review your own automobile insurance policy coverage.

The claim for loss and/or damage will not be paid if it is not accompanied by an official accident report or if the accident was, in any way, caused by your negligence.

NOTE: IF YOU CHANGE ANY OF THE PRINCIPLE FACTORS OF YOUR MOVE, SUCH AS ESTIMATED WEIGHT, TYPE OF VEHICLE USED, (RENTAL, POV, BORROWED, ETC) DESTINATION OR ORIGIN, YOU MAY BE REQUIRED TO RESCHEDULE YOUR COUNSELING SESSION TO PROVIDE TIME FOR PAPERWORK TO BE REGENERAT

http://www.militarypay.com/DoitYourselfMoveDITY.html

Accessorial Charges: A rate or charge stated in carrier tariff for extra services that is in addition to the linehaul rate.

Accessorial Service: A service apart from the linehaul transportation incident to movement of personal property. This would include extra packing, crates, extra labor, or any special handling of the personal property.

Agent/Carrier: A bona fide agent of a government-approved carrier. A person or business who represents and acts for a motor carrier and performs its duties under the direction of the carrier in a pre-existing agreement with the carrier and the government.

Area of Responsibility(AOR): A specifically defined geographic area where one military installation has been designated the responsibility for acquisition of storage, transportation and related services.

Attempted Pickup or Delivery: The use of labor and/or vehicles to perform pickup or delivery to member's residence when ordered by the PPSO and service cannot be performed. Usually due to the residence being not ready to pack, because of insects or member/releasing agent not being at the residence. The "attempt" would be at the service member's expense. Costs range from $50 to $300 or more.

Command Sponsored Dependent Entry Approval: This is required for overseas locations. The Personnel Support Detachment (PSD) handling the member's records will assist with obtaining a family member's entry approval, if required. Check with your local PSD if you are transferring overseas to see if this is needed.

CONUS: The continental United States, the 48 contiguous United States and the District of Columbia.

Commuting Area: A distance designated by the military service from an origin or destination point (corporate limits of a city or town) that includes the majority of all shipments serviced. Usually within a 30 mile radius of the military base AOR.

Crating: Items such as marble, large pieces of glass, or other unusual items that need special protection during transportation can be approved for crating by the PPSO or government Inspector. A special crate can be made for such items. Crates are slated and not solid containers. These crates are loaded into a truck, van or solid shipping container for transportation.

Direct Procurement Method (DPM): A method of shipment in which the government manages the shipment throughout. Packing, containerization, local drayage and storage services are obtained from a commercial firm under contractual arrangement. Usually small shipments with no furniture included.

Do It Yourself Move (DITY): A move in which the military member procures all services and equipment, and performs all labor associated with the move. ALL DITY MOVES MUST HAVE WEIGHT TICKETS. There are three (3) types of DITY moves.

Final Delivery Point: Place which carrier surrenders possession of property to the owner or owner's agent and no further transportation or services are required under the Government Bill of Lading (GBL).

Household Goods (HHG): All personal property associated with the home and all personal effects belonging to the member and member's family on the effective date of the member's permanent change of station (PCS) or temporary duty(TEMDU/TDY) orders, which can be legally accepted and transported by a moving company.

Letter of Authorization: Allows the service member to designate a representative (agent) to act in his/her behalf. This letter is prepared by the service member and must be notarized or countersigned by a commissioned officer in the member's command. If no one is designated as an agent to release or receive the shipment, no one other than the member can accept the shipment or sign the shipment documents. (Even the spouse must be designated as a Releasing/Receiving agent.)

Non-Temporary Storage (NTS): Generally considered long-term storage. This storage may be authorized for overseas, sea duty, temporary duty under construction, separation or retirement. It is considered part of the member's weight allowance and is generally stored at point of origin for the length of the tour. Time limits vary depending on the type of orders (i.e. separation is 180 days while retirement is 1 year).

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): PCS orders transfer a service member form one duty station to another. When a service member relocates from one area to another, his/her PCS orders provide the basis and authority for a shipment. In order to move, ALL ORDERS MUST HAVE APPROPRIATION DATA. Without this line of accounting the PPSO cannot move a shipment. A member must have orders "in hand" before arranging for household goods/baggage shipments. Per Diem: An allowance paid daily instead of actual expenses for lodging, meals and related incidental expenses associated with orders.

Personal Property Shipping Office (PPSO): A PPSO prepares and arranges for all areas of shipping HHGs, Unaccompanied Baggage (UB), and arrange for NTS. The PPSO actually books the shipment with a government approved moving company.

Personal Property Processing Office (PPPO): A PPPO prepares the documents for shipping and/or storage, then forwards these documents to the PPSO to book the shipment with a government approved moving company or NTS company for storage. **Other terms for PPSO/PPPO with other branches of the military are:

Required Delivery Date (RDD): HHGs or UB should arrive on or before the RDD. This is not a guaranteed date of delivery. It is important that you contact the destination PPSO as soon as you arrive, even if you do not have a delivery address at this time. You should provide the destination office with your work phone number(s), or any phone number by which you can be contacted. Shipment: Property made available by one shipper (member or agent) to the carrier for loading at one time, at one place or origin; for one consignee to one destination.

Satisfactory Service: Performance that meets the moving, handling and storage standards established by the government. Completing the Customer Service Survey for BOTH satisfactory and/or unsatisfactory service. This survey is one way in which the government Quality Control personnel rate the carriers performance. We always hear the bad, the move from hell...very rarely do we get positive feedback about a moving company., Try to be fair on the survey.

Temporary Storage (Storage In Transit...SIT): Storage in connection with a linehaul movement of personal property. Such storage is cumulative and may accrue at origin, enroute, at destination or any combination thereof. Storage is not to exceed 90 days, unless specifically requested and approved by the destination Inbound section, before the 90 days time limit. Storage beyond 90 days IS NOT AUTOMATICALLY GRANTED

High value items are small, pilferable items not normally listed in detail on the carrier prepared inventory. Members should have their own records, proof of ownership which may be in the form of purchase receipts, cancelled checks, photographs, video or statements of disinterested persons who observed such items in the member's home.

If an inventory is prepared by a member, it should be descriptive and in detail, and list those personal property items of $200 value or more that will not otherwise appear on the carrier prepared inventory.

For example, an antique chair would not be packed in a carton, but would mormally be listed separately on the carrier prepared inventory, but a $200.00 movie camera would normally be packed in a carton with other items being listed on a carrier prepared inventory. The member's prepared inventory shall be countersigned by a disinterested person, and the member should retain the original in case it is needed to file a loss or damage claim. Members must be prepared to provide evidence to support the loss or damage.

The government recommends the member hand-carry valuable items like jewelry, coin collections or items of great sentimental value such as photos or memorabilia. However, if these items are shipped, have them appraised, especially artwork, expensive collectibles and heirlooms, and keep the receipts or appraisals with other valuable moving papers.

Close-up photographs or videos of expensive and valuable items, as well as receipts, will help during the claims process if these items are lost or damaged during shipment

Military personnel away from home

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/dl/dl_info.htm#MILITARYAWAY