Pros and Cons to Full DITY

PCSing can be a stressful event in itself, but there’s lots of choices to be made during that time. The biggest question: Full DITY or Partial DITY? For those experienced in PCS’s, you probably have many tips for newbies experiencing their first PCS. Here, we will break down what a Full DITY is and the pros and cons of moving yourself. 

What is a DITY move? 

DITY stands for “do it yourself”. In this type of military move, you are responsible for scheduling the moving truck, packing all of your belongings, transporting and unloading your belongings at the next duty station. While some families prefer to let the military handle it all for them, others prefer to be in charge and responsible for their household goods.

Pros:

1.     There’s a chance for you to make money on a military move. The military will reimburse you based on weight and distance traveled. If you keep your expenses low, you could potentially make much more than you actually spent. It’s crucial to get an estimate from the transportation office of what will be reimbursed. If you go over, you lose money.

2.     The move is done on your timeline. You don’t have to wait for movers to be available to pack, load and unload your belongings. When you arrive at your next duty station, you already have your household goods and can immediately begin setting up your new home.

3.     You’re in charge of your belongings. You aren’t sending them off with unknow companies and strangers. Generally, you are more careful with your own belongings. 

Cons:

1.     There is a chance you’ll have to pay out of pocket for a DITY move if it isn’t carefully managed.

2.     You MUST weigh the moving truck with and without belongings. If the closest weigh station is a great distance, this can be an inconvenience due to the extra driving and gas. 

3.     It is likely you will pay some out of pocket for expenses involved with a DITY move and you have to wait for the reimbursement. For those on a budget, the waiting period can be a struggle. 

4.     If you own two vehicles, one will have to be towed, shipped, or require other arrangements to reach the next destination.

When your PCS orders arrive, it is very important to consider all the pros and cons of doing a DITY move. Consider the ones listed above, but also consider your personal pros and cons. Are you traveling during winter? Is it risky to drive the moving truck through snow or a potential storm? Remember, this isn’t a free check. You are receiving a check because you’re doing all the work yourself. While many do make money with a DITY move, there are also cons of going this route. Will you have enough help loading and unloading your household goods? Is it worth the potential income to be able to move your own belongings? If so, then DITY might be the way to go for this PCS!