DITY Move vs. Government-Procured Move (GPM): Which is Right for You?

In the military, a Personally Procured Move (PPM)—commonly known as a DITY move—occurs when you take full responsibility for relocating your household goods. The military provides an allowance based on the estimated cost of moving your belongings, and you arrange everything from renting a U-Haul or ABF trailer to packing boxes and loading furniture.

Before weighing the pros and cons of a DITY move vs. a government move, you should understand the full process. First, you apply for approval through your installation's transportation office. Once approved, you receive a weight allowance based on your rank and family size. The military calculates what it would cost to move your authorized weight using contracted movers, then reimburses you up to the government's estimated cost of the move.

The financial opportunity comes when your actual moving costs fall below the government's estimate. Rent an affordable truck, recruit friends to help with loading, and drive yourself to your new duty station—everything you save becomes profit. Some service members earn $3,000–$7,000 in PPM move savings by keeping expenses low.

Pros and Cons of a PPM/DITY Move

Pros:

• Financial Profit Potential – The biggest draw of PPMs is money in your pocket. Keep costs below the government allowance, and you pocket the difference. Service members regularly earn several thousand dollars by choosing economy truck rentals, efficient packing, and strategic planning.
• Decision-Making Power – You decide when to pack, what route to take, and how carefully your belongings are handled. No waiting for movers who might show up late or treat your grandmother's china like cargo. Your timeline, your rules.
• Flexibility with Timing – Government-procured moves (GPMs) operate on contractor schedules. PPMs let you depart when it works for your family, whether that means leaving early to house hunt or delaying the move for a child's school schedule.
• Control Over Damage or Loss – When you load the truck yourself, you know exactly where everything goes. No strangers handling your property means fewer opportunities for items to go missing or arrive broken. (Don't worry, we have packing tips to ease your PPM adventure.)

Cons:

• Physical Demand and Exhaustion – Moving is backbreaking work. Lifting furniture, loading trucks in summer heat, and driving cross-country with a heavy trailer test even the fittest service members. Add children to the equation, and exhaustion becomes inevitable.
• Time-Intensive Planning – PPMs require substantial preparation: researching truck sizes, scheduling rentals, arranging help for loading day, planning driving routes, and coordinating delivery timing at your new location. Every detail falls on you.
• Financial Risk – If something goes wrong (truck rental prices spike, you exceed your weight allowance, or unexpected expenses arise), you might spend more than the government allowance. The profit potential cuts both ways.
• Complex Paperwork – Missing a certified weigh ticket or losing a receipt can reduce your reimbursement. The administrative burden adds stress to an already demanding process, and errors can cost you money.

How Does a GPM Work?

A Government-Procured Move (GPM) means the military coordinates everything through contracted moving companies. You contact your transportation office, schedule a pre-move survey, and professional movers arrive at your home to pack, load, and transport your household goods to your new duty station.

The process begins when you receive Permanent Change of Station (PCS) orders. You'll schedule an appointment with your local transportation office, where a counselor reviews your weight allowance and moving options. Once you select a GPM, the office assigns a contracted moving company through the Defense Personal Property System (DPS).

The moving company conducts a pre-move survey—either virtually or in-person—to estimate the scope of work. On pack day, a crew arrives with boxes and materials, wrapping and packing everything in your home. The next day (or sometimes the same day for smaller moves), they load the truck and transport your belongings.

You don't handle the physical labor, coordinate truck rentals, or navigate logistics. The moving company manages transportation, and you travel separately to your next duty station. Once you arrive and settle into your new home, you schedule delivery, and the crew unloads your belongings.

The military pays the moving company directly based on the weight of your shipment and the distance traveled. You don't see the bill, and there's no profit opportunity, but there's also no financial risk if costs exceed estimates.

If something goes wrong (like items arrive damaged or go missing), you file a claim through the moving company or the military's claims process. The system provides recourse, though resolving claims can take time and requires thorough documentation.

Pros and Cons of a GPM

Pros:

• Zero Physical Labor – Professional movers handle everything from wrapping dishes to loading furniture. You supervise, but you don't lift boxes or strain your back. For families with young children, medical limitations, or demanding work schedules leading up to PCS, this hands-off approach eliminates enormous stress.
• No Financial Risk – The military pays the contracted rate regardless of final cost. Fuel prices spike? Not your problem. Truck rental rates increase? Doesn't affect you. The government absorbs all financial uncertainty.
• Professional Packing Expertise – Experienced crews know how to protect fragile items, maximize truck space, and secure loads for long-distance transport. While damage can still occur, professional packers generally handle belongings with trained care.
• Simplified Planning – Schedule the dates, walk through your home during the survey, and let the moving company manage logistics. No researching truck sizes, no calculating fuel costs, no coordinating loading help. Just show up and supervise.
• Claims Process for Damages – If movers damage or lose items, you have formal recourse through established claims procedures. Documentation requirements exist, but the system provides a path to compensation that DIY moves lack.

Cons:

• No Profit Opportunity – The military pays the moving company directly. There's no allowance check, no chance to pocket savings, and no financial incentive, regardless of how efficiently the move proceeds.
• Loss of Control – Movers and government coordinators operate on their schedule, not yours. Pack dates might not align perfectly with your needs, and you can't control how carefully (or carelessly) crews handle your grandmother's antiques or your child's favorite toys.
• Added Bureaucracy – The DPS can be challenging to navigate, and the paperwork for inspections and claims takes time and patience. The government has strict documentation guidelines if anything is damaged or lost.
• Scheduling Frustrations – GPMs depend on contractor availability. During peak PCS season (summer months), securing your preferred dates becomes difficult. You might face delays that complicate housing transitions or family plans.
• Variable Quality – Contracted moving companies range from excellent to problematic. The crew assigned to your move might provide outstanding service—or they might be the company's worst team during their busiest season. You won't know until they arrive at your door.

Quick Comparison: PPM vs. GPM

Effort

• PPM: High – You handle all packing, loading, driving, and unloading
• GPM: Low – Professional movers manage everything while you supervise

Money

• PPM: You pay upfront costs, then receive reimbursement up to the government's estimated cost
• GPM: Military pays moving company directly; you pay nothing

Profit

• PPM: Potential to earn as much as $3,000–$7,000+ in PPM move savings if costs stay below allowance
• GPM: Zero profit potential regardless of efficiency

Control

• PPM: Complete control over timeline, packing methods, and handling of belongings
• GPM: Limited control; movers set schedule and handle belongings their way

Property Risk

• PPM: Lower risk – You handle your own items with personal care
• GPM: Higher risk – No opportunity to vet or choose your movers, increasing damage/loss potential

Procedure

• PPM: Complex – Requires weight tickets, receipts, detailed documentation, and claims filing
• GPM: Simplified – Schedule dates, supervise packing/loading, file damage claims only if needed

PPM vs. GPM: Which is Right for You?

Choosing between a PPM and a GPM depends on your family's priorities, physical capacity, and financial goals.

Choose a PPM if:

You're motivated by PPM move savings and willing to work for profit. If a few thousand dollars makes a meaningful difference—whether you're paying down debt, funding a house down payment, or building savings—the financial incentive justifies the effort.

You have physical help available. Moving heavy furniture and boxes requires muscle. If you have friends, family, or fellow service members willing to assist on loading day, a PPM becomes far more manageable.

You value control over your belongings and timeline. Some military families simply can't stomach the idea of strangers packing their home. If you're particular about how items are wrapped, what gets packed together, or when you depart for your new duty station, a PPM offers complete autonomy.

You have minimal belongings or a short-distance move. Moving a one-bedroom apartment across state lines is vastly different from relocating a four-bedroom house cross-country. Smaller moves reduce complexity, making a PPM more practical.

Choose a GPM if:

Physical limitations or time constraints make DIY impractical. Pregnant spouses, service members recovering from injuries, or families with very young children often lack the physical capacity for heavy lifting and cross-country driving.

You're overwhelmed by PCS stress and need simplicity. Between out-processing, family transitions, and preparing for new duty stations, some moves arrive during already chaotic seasons. Removing the moving burden entirely can preserve your sanity.

You own valuable or fragile items that benefit from professional packing. While movers can damage belongings, they're trained to pack antiques, artwork, and delicate items with specialized materials and techniques that DIY movers might not know.

You're moving during peak season with limited leave time. The summer PCS season creates time pressure. If you have limited leave days and need to report to your new unit quickly, letting professionals handle logistics while you travel separately can be the practical choice.

Consider a hybrid approach:

Many military families choose partial PPMs, handling some belongings themselves while using government movers for the bulk. You might drive your car loaded with valuables, important documents, and essentials while contractors move your furniture and household goods. This balances control, profit potential, and convenience.

The decision isn't always obvious, and there's no universally "right" answer. Evaluate your family's specific circumstances: available help, physical capacity, financial needs, timeline pressure, and stress tolerance. Both options work; the question is which works best for you.

Ready for a Stress-Free Relocation? Contact Stewart Today

Whether you're leaning toward a PPM and need professional help with the heavy lifting, or you're overwhelmed by government move horror stories and want an alternative, Stewart Moving & Storage stands ready to serve military families with the respect and expertise you deserve.

We appreciate your service. For over 25 years, supporting military families has been our backbone—our humble beginnings and our ongoing commitment. We understand the unique pressures of PCS moves: tight timelines, weight allowances, strict regulations, and the stress of uprooting your family. Our warehouses are strategically positioned near major military installations across Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, North Carolina, and Florida, giving us the local presence to serve you wherever duty calls.

Here's how we can help with your PPM move:

The GHC (Global Household Goods Contract) system challenges have led more service members to choose PPMs, and our services support military families pursuing PPM move savings. If you're renting a U-Haul, ABF trailer, or PODS container for a PPM, our crews can provide professional packing and loading services. We have approved access to military bases, which means we can come directly to your on-base housing to help you pack and load your rental truck or container, maximizing your profit potential while minimizing backbreaking labor.

We also offer military discounts that mirror the going military rates, ensuring equal service quality whether you're booked through the Department of Defense or are managing your own PPM. Local military and veteran discounts are available as well, because serving those who serve our country isn't just business. It's our purpose.

Full-service military moving options:

If you're looking for an alternative to government-contracted movers, Stewart provides comprehensive military relocation services with the personal touch that only a family-owned company can deliver. We offer DOD-approved storage options (even for long-term needs), secure and climate-stable facilities monitored 24/7, professional packing services that treat your belongings like family heirlooms, and flexible scheduling that works around your PCS timeline.

Our A+ BBB rating and AMSA ProMover certification aren't just credentials; they're proof of our commitment to the truth, honesty, integrity, and diligence that military families deserve. With 125+ trucks and 200+ trained employees across our 11 East Coast warehouse locations, we have the resources to handle your move with professionalism and care, no matter which duty station you're heading to next.

Get your free quote today:

Contact Stewart Moving & Storage at (540) 775-6992 to request your free estimate. We offer three convenient ways to get quotes: in-home assessments, online estimates, or phone consultations—because we know every military family's situation is unique.

Let us handle the complex logistics so you can focus on your mission and your family can focus on the next chapter, not the stress of transition. Whether you need full-service moving, packing, and loading support for your PPM, or secure storage solutions, Stewart Moving & Storage treats you like family—because that's exactly who you are to us.