The Soldier’s Guide to PPM: Moving on Your Own Terms
Receiving your Permanent Change of Station (PCS) orders brings a mix of excitement and stress. You generally have two options: let the government manage everything, or take control with a Personally Procured Move (PPM)—formerly known as a DITY (Do-It-Yourself) move.
Most service members choose the PPM option for one reason: Financial Incentive.
But there is a common misconception that a "Do-It-Yourself" move means you have to physically pack every box, load the truck, and drive it across the country yourself. This is a myth.
At EZ MoveIt, we teach our military clients a smarter way to move—one where you act as the manager, not the laborer, and still keep the profit.
What is a PPM / DITY Move?
A Personally Procured Move (PPM) allows you to move your household goods (HHG) yourself instead of relying on a government-contracted moving company.
Under this program, the government reimburses you 100% of what it would have cost them to move you (the Government Construct Cost). If you can move your belongings for less than that amount, you keep the difference.
The "Smart" Strategy: Arbitraging the System
Here is the secret that savvy military families use to maximize profit without lifting a finger. It comes down to the difference between Government Rates and Market Rates.
The military calculates your reimbursement (Incentive Payment) based on what it would cost them to hire a large government contractor. These rates are often inflated due to bureaucracy and corporate overhead.
This creates a gap—and that gap is your profit.
When you hire a private, efficient specialist like EZ MoveIt, you are paying a competitive market rate.
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The Government Pays You: High Corporate Rate (100% GCC).
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You Pay Us: Efficient Market Rate.
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The Result: You pocket the difference.
Think of yourself as the Project Manager of your move. You hire us to do the heavy lifting (packing, loading, driving), and because our operational costs are lower than the government's bloated contracts, you keep the margin. You get a full-service experience, but you get paid like you did a DITY move.
The Math: A Real-World Example
How much can you actually make? Let’s look at a typical scenario for an E-5 with dependents moving 1,000 miles with 8,000 lbs of household goods.
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Government Estimation (Your Budget): The government offers you roughly $6,500 to move your goods.
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Your Expenses with EZ MoveIt: You hire us for a full load and transport for $4,000.
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Your Profit: $6,500 - $4,000 = **$2,500 in your pocket.**
Note: You must pay taxes on the profit, but hiring professional movers is a deductible expense that lowers your tax burden.
Step-by-Step: How to Execute a Successful PPM
To ensure you get paid, you must follow the regulations strictly. We help our clients navigate this every day.
1. Apply Before You Move
You must get approval from your transportation office (TO/TMO) before incurring any expenses.
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Log into DPS (Defense Personal Property System).
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Request a PPM move.
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Obtain and sign DD Form 2278. This form will tell you your Estimated Incentive Payment—this is your budget!
2. The Golden Rule: Weight Tickets
Your reimbursement is based entirely on weight and distance. You must prove how much you moved using certified weight tickets.
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Empty Weight (Tare): Weigh the vehicle (and trailer) fully fueled but empty of household goods.
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Full Weight (Gross): Weigh the vehicle again once fully loaded.
How EZ MoveIt Helps: We understand military requirements. We ensure our trucks are weighed correctly (Empty and Full) at certified scales, providing you with the exact documentation you need to file your claim.
3. Keep Every Receipt
While the incentive payment is based on weight, you can reduce your taxable income by claiming authorized expenses. Keep receipts for:
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Moving Company Services.
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Packing materials (boxes, tape).
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Rental trucks or trailers.
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Gas, oil, and tolls.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is my PPM incentive taxable?
Yes. The "profit" is taxed as income. However, every dollar you spend on authorized moving expenses (like hiring EZ MoveIt) is deducted from that profit before taxes are calculated.
Can I use a portable storage container (like PODS)?
Yes, but getting weight tickets can be tricky. You must have the container weighed empty and full. We recommend using our dedicated trucks where weight certification is part of the standard process.
What if I don't know my weight yet?
Check your DD Form 2278 for the government's estimate. When you contact us, we can help estimate your weight based on the number of rooms and furniture to give you an accurate quote.
Ready to Move Smarter?
Don't leave your reimbursement on the table, and don't break your back trying to get it. Act as the Project Manager of your move: let the government pay the bill, let EZ MoveIt do the work, and you keep the profit.