MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. -- Moving from one place to another every few years is uncommon for civilians, but for a Marine, it is just another part of duty.
The Traffic Management Office wants to offer these ‘tips and tricks’ for government moving from.
“Thinking mobile and knowing that your surroundings change often will help with constant transitions,” said Donna N. Padgett, a transportation counselor for TMO.
Transitions from one place to another can be easy if the Marine makes proper preparations for the move, added Padgett.
Any time after the receipt of orders for a permanent change of station, a Marine may begin making arrangements for their move, according to “It’s Your Move”, a Department of Defense transportation and travel pamphlet.
“Making preparations 30 days before your move will give us time to weed out any problems that may arise in the scheduling process,” said Padgett.
Marines should also visit TMO before purchasing plane tickets or selling a house, because a Marine may be delayed in leaving due to issues with the pickup up and delivery of their belongings, added Padgett.
A lot of Marines make the mistake of scheduling their move a day before their final base housing inspection, and not planning for the carrier personnel being late or not coming until later in the week, said Lt. Col. Fred Hyden, traffic management officer of TMO here.
TMO requires Marines conducting a government move to attend a class explaining the details of what the moving company will and will not do, to fill out all of the paperwork and to schedule the move.
The DOD offers the following helpful tips when dealing with the civilian contractor responsible for the move.
- Before movers leave the premises, ensure that there is a carrier packed sticker on every one of the boxes; this ensures that the contractors inventoried, packed and are fully responsible for all damages that could occur to the boxes during the move.
- The person being moved should ensure that everything in the house has been removed and no damage has occurred to the premises prior to signing paperwork to release the driver.
- Shipping of small expensive items that will not be entered specifically on the inventory sheet as a line item, should be taken along with the Marine.
- Carriers will not pack property when confronted by houses that are unclean or have a pest problem and animals are required to be kenneled or tied up away from carrier personnel.
- Children should be kept away from the personnel moving boxes or furniture, due to the risk of being stepped on or having boxes dropped on them.
- Power of attorney is not required to release property to the movers but the person that will release the property must be listed on the DD1299 form to ensure that the movers will take the property.
- Large televisions, such as plasma TVs cannot be moved by contractors due to how fragile they are. Other arrangements must be made to accommodate these items.
- The disassembly and reassembly of all furniture is the requirement of carrier personnel but the owner of the furniture should retain all of the screws, bolts and brackets to ensure they are not lost in shipment.
- These services are also provided for indoor furniture, but does not include outdoor swing sets, trampolines, basketball goals, and any other property for outdoor use.
- Lastly, the DOD pays the carrier personnel and the persons moving are not required to tip, feed or provide sodas for them.
“A lot of Marines feel obligated to provide the movers with a tip or food but they get paid just like you do,” said Padgett.
For more information or to report a problem during a move contact TMO at 451-2377.