Military household goods moving offices consolidate for greater efficiency

SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. - Department of Defense officials and the U.S. Transportation Command are leading a change in how household goods move for military personnel and civilian employees supporting the military.

The change consolidates 151 Personal Property Shipping Offices into 11 regional Joint PPSOs. Local Personal Property Processing Offices will continue personal counseling and inspect in- and out-bound shipments to verify quality customer service. The Defense Personal Property System, or DPS, at www.move.mil is still an option for automated processing. The JPPSOs will handle back-office processing for moves, including booking household goods shipments with commercial movers.

These back-office function consolidations should be transparent to our customers and their families. "PPPO counselors and quality control inspectors will be focused on improving customer service and will still be available to assist with all your moving needs," said Jim Teague, transportation specialist, Transportation Policy and Initiatives Branch, Strategy, Policy, Programs and Logistics directorate, USTRANSCOM.

The consolidations are set to begin in 2012. Once complete in 2016, JPPSOs for the continental United States, including Alaska, will be located in the following key geographical locations: Fort Lewis, Wash.; Colorado Springs, Colo.; Chelmsford, Mass.; Fort Belvoir, Va.; San Antonio; Jacksonville, Fla.; and San Diego.

Overseas shipments including Hawaii will be handled at Pearl Harbor; Yokosuka, Japan; Yongsan, Korea; and Grafenwoehr, Germany.

Officials expect the consolidation�will save millions of dollars over the next 10 years by reducing redundant functions and overall operating costs, and allow for standardized and more efficient business practices across DOD.