Unexpected Assignment
Military relocation often exercises the element of surprise. You are often assigned to a location you were not expecting and sometimes, one you do not wish to move to. The timing of your assignment can also be unexpected. You might be used to a certain period of time being stationed before you are transferred. However, the needs of the military are paramount. If you find yourself working in a specialty area that is necessary and in high demand, you may be relocated on a more frequent basis. Sometimes you will be sent to a foreign country, which can include a number of other adjustments that will have to be made. You may need to learn a new language, or figure out a way to survive in a foreign country without learning the primary language. You’ll have to adjust to a new culture. You or the members of your family might experience a form of culture shock where you will have to adjust to living in an unfamiliar part of the world. Sometimes people will have feelings of hostility towards their new home because they are confronted with unfamiliar languages, customs, and even food.
However, a foreign military relocation can be viewed as an exciting and wonderful experience for you and your family. It is an opportunity to learn about new customs and ways of living. It can be a great time for teaching children about other parts of the world, and you will most likely carry on traditions with your family even when you are no longer living in the area. These experiences can create priceless memories for you and your family that they will always remember and cherish.
Any form of relocation can be a traumatic experience for the family of the person in the service. Growing children are new to establishing friends in social situations. They may harbor resentment towards their parents for having to move. Kids will have to transfer schools, make new friends, get involved in new extracurricular activities and on top of all that, they might have to do that in a foreign country where they don’t know the primary language or traditional culture. Breaking the news of a necessary military relocation and handling the events that will follow need to be approached with compassion and sensitivity to the feelings and emotions of the children.
Logistics and Planning
A military relocation requires detailed planning. You will most likely need to sell the home you have been living in and buy a new one in the new area you will be working. You will need to plan the transition perfectly so you are not stuck with two overlapping house payments or rent. If you are moving within the United States, the military will provide transportation for you and your belongings. This includes compensation for airfare or gas mileage, whichever you will need. It will also include procuring a moving van to transport your belongings to your new home. A program the military is using is called Do It Yourself (DITY) moving. The military will calculate the mileage between your current home and your destination and will pay you your moving fees accordingly. With DITY moving, you are in charge of finding your own moving companies and if you can make the move at a lower cost than the military reimbursement rate, you will be able to pocket the difference.
When you are moving overseas, there are generally two phases to your packing and shipping. First, you ship items to the destination that you will need immediately upon your arrival at your new duty station. These items will often be flown to your overseas destination and would include seasonal clothing and frequently used kitchen appliances. You should always keep important paperwork such as birth certificates, social security cards, and assignment orders with you when you travel. Next, the other items you pack will be sent to you by ship. Make sure to pack things you will not need right away in this load as they can sometimes take up to or more than a month to arrive.
Finally, remember that the military recognizes the difficulties and challenges of frequent military relocation. Most military bases have employed relocation specialists to help families make a smooth transition to their new homes by provided services such as helping families locate temporary housing or finding a specialized realtor.
By Stacy Hinojosa