Gaining Control: The PPM / DITY Option
The U.S. Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM) manages the Department of Defense’s household goods movement through programs like DP3. While the government typically arranges military relocations, the Personally Procured Move (PPM)—still widely known as the DITY (Do-It-Yourself) Move—offers service members and their families maximum control over their Permanent Change of Station (PCS).
How the PPM Works: Instead of the military assigning a carrier, the service member receives an allowance (or incentive payment) equal to 100% of the cost the government would have paid a contracted mover. The service member then manages the entire move, including hiring commercial services, and gets to keep any difference between the government allowance and their final costs.
Why Verification is Essential for PPM Moves
This financial incentive and control come with significant responsibility. When a military member opts for a PPM, they assume the role of the procurement officer, and all the inherent risks of hiring an unverified mover fall onto them.
TrustedMovePro.com is the essential resource for a successful PPM because it mitigates this risk by providing a directory of only Verified and Compliant Movers.
| PPM Responsibility | TrustedMovePro Solution |
|---|---|
| Risk of Fraud | The service member is financially responsible for vendor failure, fraud, or damage not covered by insurance. |
| Vendor Vetting | The service member must independently check USDOT, insurance, and complaint history, which is time-consuming and prone to error. |
| Dispute Resolution | If a dispute arises with a hired mover, the service member must resolve it directly. |
Hiring Professional Services for Your PPM
The PPM does not mean you must do all the heavy lifting yourself. The most effective way to “Do-It-Yourself” is often to contract commercial services (such as full-service packing, containerized moving, or transportation) and pay for them using your allowance.
When hiring a commercial mover for your PPM, ensure they meet the following criteria:
- Verified Compliance: Check that the company is a TrustedMovePro to confirm they meet all federal (FMCSA) and state regulations.
- Weight Tickets: The mover must provide certified empty and loaded weight tickets. These are mandatory for your reimbursement claim submission to the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS).
- Insurance & Valuation: Confirm that the mover carries the necessary liability insurance and offers a high-level valuation or third-party transit insurance, as your reimbursement does not cover loss or damage to your shipment.
TrustedMovePro is dedicated to ensuring that those who serve are connected with the most professional, verified, and accountable moving partners in the world.
Resources for Your Military Move
For a visual comparison of your options, including the key differences between a Personally Procured Move and a Full Military Move, please refer to the embedded video guide.
Video Source: This resource is provided courtesy of USAA, a leading organization dedicated to serving the financial needs of the military community and their families.
Official Guidance: DTR Part 4, Chapter A-411 This section of the Defense Transportation Regulation (DTR) governs the official policies, procedures, and service member entitlements related to the PPM program. Review this document to understand your specific responsibilities and required documentation.
Helpful Links & Resources
- Military OneSource – Personal property resources from the Defense Personal Property Program are available here for your convenience. From entitlements and weight estimators to moving a privately owned vehicle, find the information and resources you need to make a smooth move.
- Weight Estimator Tool
- PCS Entitlements – When moving, you will be given a list of the amount and types of items you are allowed to move, generally referred to as your entitlements.
- Podcast – Conducting a Personally Procured Move –
Learn how to determine if a personally procured move is the best option for your family, explore the different ways to transport your household goods, and find out how to request temporary storage, book your personally procured move, and submit a reimbursement request for your moving expenses. - Plan My Move – Plan My Move creates a custom checklist for your move, providing information about tasks you need to complete and how to complete them. Just answer the questions below to begin building your checklist.
- Personally Procured Moves and Rogue Operators Fact Sheet – The Personally Procured Moves & Rogue Operators fact sheet provides information about conducting a household goods move that you arrange and perform yourself, while providing tips to avoid rogue movers.
- DD Form 2278 – Application for Do It Yourself Move and Counseling Checklist
- DD Form 3166 – Personally-Procured Move (PPM) Checklist and Expense Certification
- The Personally Procured Move (PPM) – Steps to Take – Military.com Article
The information provided on this page, including guidance on compliance, risk mitigation, and the PPM process, is for educational and general informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for official military counseling. Service members must always refer to and follow the Defense Transportation Regulation (DTR), the Joint Travel Regulations (JTR), their specific Permanent Change of Station (PCS) Orders, and counseling provided by their local Transportation Office (TO) or Personal Property Office (PPO) for all final entitlements, policies, and required documentation.