So you just PCSed to your new duty station. Maybe you’re camping in your house waiting for TMO, or maybe you just emptied the last box -congratulations. Regardless, there are a lot of little things to consider when you move.
You will automatically address concerns that directly impact you, and these things will vary from family to family. For example, Mister Jupiter and I are immediately concerned with dog-friendly housing and organic grocery stores (I don’t rely on the Commissary). Other families focus on middle schools and language tutors, or religious communities, or dance instruction -you get the idea. You do you.
Disclosure: This site contains a few affiliate links; but none in this post.
When I collect new duty station resources, I simply call it “resource management.” It’s like opening all of the cupboards in an AirB&B to see what you have immediate access to.
Same with your new duty station. Luckily we can search these things online at our convenience – no need to actually pound the pavement to see what’s available. MyBaseGuide.com is an excellent resource for newcomers. They collect information on and off the installation for your benefit. Phone numbers, addresses, building numbers -it’s all there. Categories include general on-base info, but also regional healthcare, public services, and entertainment. Find the landing page for your new duty station and bookmark it for reference -if you’re not already jotting down info as you read.
Similarly, visit your new duty station’s official website and look for their Newcomer’s Guide – it’s often on the front page. It’s always worth a read, but sometimes the information is outdated.
Speaking about reading, let’s get on to the list.
As soon as you can, please sit down and locate these services in your new area:
- Urgent care centers that accept your level Tricare
- After hours veterinary clinics
- Organizations that accept donations
- Dentists that accept United Concordia
- Recycle centers (if city doesn’t provide service)
- Vehicle registration
Once filled, keep this list in a prominent location. On the fridge. Taped to a calendar. On the side of the filing cabinet in the office. In your Emergency Contacts folder. Etcetera. Keep this in a place so that you can find it easily.
Urgent Care for Humans & Pets
The point here is to have emergency services ready for when you need them. I can’t count how often someone asks a Facebook milspouse group emergency questions because the normal clinic isn’t available and they don’t know where to go. Don’t be that person, think ahead and know your options.
Not all military installations have hospitals with emergency rooms. Most of us only have access to clinics and the services vary by region. That information should be given to your spouse as they in-process. But it’ll be up to you to find emergency care options. If you do the work –now– you will be prepared when emergencies arise. Don’t forget about non-emergency services too, like where to get flu shots if the installation’s clinic only supplies vaccines for active duty.
When you work on your urgent care options, look at what makes them unique. For example CVS’ MinuteClinic offers online appointment scheduling with visible wait times. This is unique because you can wait at home for the appointment, just arrive 30 minutes early (instead of waiting in public, and being a miserable contagion for hours). CVS may not be an option for you, so learn about the services that you can use. Keep in mind that active duty dependents don’t need a referral for urgent care anymore. However, your AD service member will need to try the local clinic first, then the nurse advice line for a referral before they can get emergency care. No, it doesn’t make sense, but that’s the state of things at the time of updating this post (2023).
Emergency services for pets are just as valuable to locate early. Trying to find after hours veterinarians while experiencing an emergency is not fun.
Use your googling skills to find at least one option for each following line item. Later you can ask around which is the better of the two.
☐ Nearest Emergency Room _________________________________________________
☐ Nearest Urgent Care Clinic _________________________________________________
☐ Nearest Walk In Vaccinations ______________________________________________
☐ Nearest Emergency Veterinarian __________________________________________
Dentists
I shouldn’t have to tell you to go to the dentist or to go regularly. And chances are that you will be at your new duty station long enough for at least one professional cleaning. Find this information now and schedule cleanings before they fill up with all of the other inbound families.
Donation Locations
As you unpack you will surely come across items that you didn’t know you still had. Or maybe your new home is too small for that second love seat. Regardless, you will likely end up with at least one box of goods in great condition that you don’t need; but where to take them? You can always look up your Air Force Base’s Airman’s Attic, or your Army Post’s Thrift Shop or Loan Closet. All are wonderful donation options that benefit the immediate active duty military community. Speaking of military community, I always try to shop in the nearest DAV Thrift Store. They’re a nonprofit charity that support disabled American veterans and their families.
Goodwill Thrift Stores are a convenient option almost anywhere, but it’s just as easy to look for local shelters and see what they need. For example women’s shelters would love your old office clothes and spare body care products. Most shelters will have a public office that accepts donations, so you just pass items on to a volunteer. It may not be as easy for you to donate (read: no curbside pickup, no bins in parking lots), but your donation will go further and help change a life. When possible I prefer to donate relevant goods to women’s and children’s shelters.
☐ Dentist that accepts United Concordia __________________________________________
☐ Donations (clothing) Go To ______________________________________________________
☐ Donations (home goods) Go To _________________________________________________
Recycling
Sometimes it’s clear that I spent some formative years in California because not recycling feels like a crime. So when curbside recycling isn’t an option I use recycling centers. Centers will vary, but in addition to cans and glass, many also take in electronics, prescription glasses, and even retired American flags. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle!
☐ Nearest Recycling Center _________________________________________________
Vehicle Registration
Most of us retain a single state’s residency and our drivers licenses look like an impossible location jumble, and our vehicle registration history is nearly as colorful. Some states just want money for new tags, others need inspections or need to see you in person at the tax assessor’s office. Make a note now of when your registration expires. Then determine if you are going to try to renew from a new state, or if you will assimilate and adopt your current state’s registration system and get new plates. Start weighing those pros and cons as soon as possible so that you will be ready when your expiration month nears. Note, you don’t have to wait for expiration, you can switch states and begin a new registration period sooner. Also note that Spring Break is usually the DMV’s busiest week.
- Vehicle #1 Make Model Year __________________________________________
Registration State, Expiration ______________________________________________
Registration action (circle one) Renew or Change
New or Renewed Registration State, Expiration ____________________________
- Vehicle #2 Make Model Year __________________________________________
Registration State, Expiration ______________________________________________
Registration action (circle one) Renew or Change
New or Renewed Registration State, Expiration ____________________________
Do I need to expand this list? I am all ears – just comment below!
This post is part of my PCS Series. If this was meaningful for you, take a moment to see the other posts in the series:
- PCS “Spring” Cleaning
- The Good in Goodbye
- Planning a Smooth HHG Pack Out
- Planning Your HHG Arrival
- How to Navigate a New Duty Station
- New Duty Station Resources You Need
If you’re interested in hearing about our typical non-PCS-season life, you can subscribe to Lady Jupiter Podcast. New episodes typically upload once a week and share the normal and boring side of our military life. Available for free on Apple Podcasts!
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Lady Jupiter 
This is a great list! I have found base guides really useful (wish I’d known of them sooner). 🙂
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Good point! I’ll edit to include a link. I usually don’t live on base/post, so I forgot about that site 😬 Thank you for reminding me.
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