Military Permanent Change of Station (PCS) moves require specialized knowledge and experience. These moves often involve strict regulations, deadlines, certified weight tickets, and the handling of military-specific paperwork. Not all moving companies understand the nuances of military protocols, such as the importance of certified weight tickets. “The average weight allowances for a PCS are based on rank, dependency status and move type,” states Military One Source. It is important for your chosen mover to be aware of this, as well as the documentation required for reimbursement and the timing of moving windows.

At Lincoln Moving & Storage, we have extensive experience handling PCS moves for military families. “We complete hundreds of military moves every year. Our team understands the unique challenges service members face, and we’ve refined our processes to address every detail of PCS moves,” explains Senior Vice President Danny DiJulio. With over 100 years of experience, our team is familiar with the specific procedures and deadlines associated with PCS relocations.

Each military move comes with weight allowances that must be followed, as exceeding these limits can lead to additional charges. “When the military assigns you to a permanent change of station, you’ll receive a predetermined PCS weight allowance for your move. For those without dependents, 14,000 pounds is usually the maximum weight allowance,” states the VA Mortgage Center. Moving companies specializing in military moves are well-versed in calculating the weight of your household goods and ensuring they are within the allotted limits. Movers must also provide clear communication about any potential additional costs related to weight overages.

At Lincoln Moving & Storage, we take great care to review your Order of Service and calculate the weight of your items carefully. “Our team provides accurate, certified weight tickets and creative solutions to help service members stay within their limits,” says Tony Bouie, Kent and Tacoma General Manager, who has nearly 30 years of experience in the moving industry. We work with you to make sure your belongings stay within the allotted weight, helping you avoid extra costs while still meeting your needs.

Protection plans for military moves ensure that service members’ belongings are covered during transit. Moving companies typically provide several tiers of protection options, including:

• Limited Liability Coverage: Basic protection at no extra charge, which provides limited reimbursement based on item weight. “Under this option, the mover is responsible for no more than 60 cents per pound per article,” states the FMCSA.
• Full-Value Protection: This plan offers extra coverage for an additional fee. It repairs, replaces, or pays you for the current market value of damaged items.
• Items of Extraordinary Value Declaration: This is an add-on to the Full-Value Protection Plan. It is for high-value items that are worth $100 or more per pound.

At Lincoln Moving & Storage, we offer comprehensive protection plans for all military moves. “Our protection plans are designed to give service members confidence that their cherished possessions are fully secured,” notes Joseph McAvoy, Everett General Manager. Our moving specialists will thoroughly explain each option so you can decide how to best protect your belongings throughout the moving process. Start your military move today by filling out our online form or calling us at (800) 426-4780.

The military’s PCS timeline can often change. “[W]hile you cannot change your PCS orders, the military can. You could be getting relocated to Hawaii, and at the last minute, your orders get changed,” states Active Duty Passive Income. This makes it necessary for moving companies to be flexible with their schedules. While some moving companies may have rigid timelines, experienced military movers can often accommodate these changes, adjusting pickup or delivery times to meet updated military orders.

At Lincoln Moving & Storage, we understand that PCS timelines can be fluid. “Having partnered with military families for over a century, we’ve built our business model around flexibility. We know that orders change, and we pride ourselves on adapting quickly to serve our service members,” shares Chris DiJulio, Owner and President. Our team is highly flexible and able to adjust our services to meet any changes in your schedule. Whether you need to move earlier or later than originally planned, we will do our best to accommodate your new timeline.

Moving between duty stations often requires temporary storage, especially if there’s a gap between moving out of one base and into the next. Many Seattle movers offer short-term and long-term storage solutions for military families, allowing them to store their belongings safely until they are ready for delivery at their new location.

At Lincoln Moving & Storage, we offer secure and convenient storage options for military families who need a place to store their belongings between duty stations. “In my 25-plus years at Lincoln, I’ve seen how important reliable storage is during military transitions. We’ve invested in state-of-the-art facilities specifically designed to meet the unique needs of service members during these gaps,” says Danny DiJulio, Senior Vice President. Our climate-controlled storage facilities ensure that your items are safe and protected, giving you peace of mind during the transition. In addition, our Kent warehouse storage facility is now military-approved.

Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM)

📍 Located south of Tacoma, JBLM is one of the largest military installations on the West Coast.

• PCS Coordination: We handle relocations for Army and Air Force personnel stationed at JBLM, including short-notice orders and deployment transitions.
• Base-Specific Knowledge: Our crews understand JBLM’s commercial gate access protocols, documentation requirements, and on-base delivery procedures
• Joint Personal Property Shipping Office (JPPSO): Lincoln has worked directly with the JPPSO at JBLM for military household goods and personal property shipping.
• Storage: Our Kent storage facility — approximately 35 miles from JBLM — provides secure, climate-controlled options for families awaiting base housing.
• Flexibility During High Volume: We offer additional scheduling availability during peak PCS seasons.

Naval Base Kitsap

📍 Covering locations in Bangor, Bremerton, and Keyport, Kitsap supports critical naval operations across Puget Sound.

• OCONUS Expertise: We support frequent moves from Kitsap to overseas duty stations such as Hawaii, Japan, and Guam with export-compliant packing and customs documentation.
• Port Coordination: With close access to the Ports of Tacoma and Seattle, our team ensures seamless logistics for international or cross-country military shipments.
• Storage Access: Service members can utilize our Everett or Kent storage facilities while in transit or awaiting assignment.

Puget Sound Naval Shipyard (PSNS)

📍 Based in Bremerton, PSNS provides nuclear maintenance and overhaul support for the Navy.

• Relocation for Civilians and Active-Duty: We assist both uniformed and civilian DoD employees with PCS and job-related transfers to PSNS.
• Housing Gaps Covered: Our short- and long-term storage solutions accommodate families transitioning between housing or arriving ahead of dependents.

Mission-Aligned Moving Services

Each base has its own logistics, access points, and PCS constraints — and our team is trained to meet those demands. Whether you’re reporting to JBLM or preparing for an OCONUS move out of Naval Base Kitsap, Lincoln Moving & Storage ensures your relocation meets military regulations while minimizing stress for you and your family.