A DITY (Do-It-Yourself) military move provides active-duty service members and their families with the flexibility to handle their relocation on their terms while still receiving government reimbursements.
However, the process can be overwhelming without the right support. At Morris Moving and Storage, we specialize in making DITY moves easier, offering a range of services that help streamline the process from start to finish.
Here’s a detailed look at the typical DITY military move process and how we can assist you every step of the way.
Step 1: Planning and Coordination
The first step in any DITY military move is to start planning well ahead of time.
You will need to coordinate your move with your local transportation office and complete the necessary paperwork. This includes the DD Form 1299 (Application for Shipment and/or Storage) and the DD Form 1797 (Personal Property Counseling Checklist).
Once these forms are submitted, the government will approve your move, and you will be eligible for reimbursement based on the weight of the items moved.
At Morris Moving and Storage, we help you navigate this process, ensuring that all your forms are in order. We also offer flexible moving services tailored to your needs, whether you’re looking for full-service packing and moving or just labor to load and unload.
Step 2: Inventory and Packing
Once your DITY move is approved, the next step is organizing your belongings. You will need to create an inventory of everything you plan to move.
This is a crucial part of the DITY process, as the government will reimburse you based on the weight of the items being moved, so it’s important to keep a detailed and accurate inventory.
Packing is another critical part of the DITY move process. Whether you decide to pack your items yourself or hire professionals, it's essential to ensure everything is securely packed for transit. Morris Moving and Storage offers high-quality packing materials and expert packing services, ensuring that your belongings are carefully packed for the move.
From furniture and electronics to fragile items like artwork and collectibles, we take extra care to protect everything.
Step 3: Loading and Transportation
Once your items are packed, the next step is to load them onto a truck. As part of a DITY move, you are responsible for arranging the transportation, but you can rely on us for assistance.
Whether you need a moving truck rental or prefer us to provide professional drivers and equipment, we’ve got you covered. Our experienced team ensures that your items are loaded efficiently and securely, making sure that everything is protected during the journey.
For many military families, the logistics of coordinating the move, securing a truck, and ensuring the items are safely loaded can be stressful.
That’s where Morris Moving and Storage comes in—we offer labor-only services, providing professional movers who will handle all the loading and unloading for you. This saves you time and physical effort, especially for large or heavy items.
Step 4: Transporting to Your Destination
During the DITY military move, you will be responsible for transporting your belongings to your new duty station. However, depending on your needs, we can offer assistance with securing the right size vehicle for the job, ensuring your items are securely strapped and organized during the move.
Our team will work with you to schedule pickup and delivery times, helping to ensure a seamless transition.
If you’re moving a long distance or across state lines, Morris Moving and Storage can provide additional services, including long-term and short-term storage.
If you’re not able to move everything at once, we can store your belongings in our climate-controlled warehouse until you’re ready to complete your move.
Step 5: Unloading and Setting Up
Upon arrival at your new duty station, unloading is the next step in the DITY process. You will need to unload your items and set up your new home or office.
If you need help, our team of professionals can assist with unloading and moving your belongings into your new space.
Labor-only services are available for this step, ensuring that everything is handled carefully and efficiently.
In addition, if you opted for our storage solutions, we can deliver your stored items when you’re ready, ensuring you have everything you need as soon as you settle in.
Step 6: Filing for Reimbursement
Once your DITY move is complete, you can submit your receipts and a detailed inventory to your
Transportation Office for reimbursement.
Keep in mind that the government reimburses you for moving expenses based on the weight of the items you transport, and the distance traveled.
At Morris Moving and Storage, we can help guide you through the reimbursement process, ensuring that your receipts and weight documentation are in order.
We can also provide storage and moving receipts, giving you a clear record of all services provided for reimbursement.
