How to Survive a Military Move

Living in a military family provides a number of challenges. One of the most difficult of these is having to constantly move. Relocating from one military base to another means locating new schools, securing new employment and packing up everything to be moved. Retaining one's sanity during a military move takes a lot of organization and planning. Here are some tips to help you survive a military move.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Start planning early. Most military moves are announced well in advance so that the enlisted person and their dependents can have as much time as possible to prepare. Once you learn of the imminent move, begin your planning immediately. Avoiding procrastination from the beginning will mean less stress for everyone involved in the long run.
2. Make a list. Relocating your entire life to a different military base will seem like a near-impossible task at first. To help keep things under control, start by making a list of everything that needs to be finished, packed and taken care of during the move. Prioritize the list with things that need to happen immediately. Following a list will help you stay on track with your anticipated time line.
3. Organize by room. Packing up everything in your house will be a lot easier if you break it down by rooms instead of trying to deal with everything all at once. Begin with preliminary items not necessary for everyday life that can be packed and gotten out of the way and then make a plan for when everything else will be packed and moved.
4. Get rid of anything unnecessary. Don't waste your time packing things that you don't even need. Use your impending move as motivation to sort out any old clothes, dishes and other household goods that you no longer use. Donate anything that you don't need to local shelters or thrift stores to make your move easier and help those in need at the same time.
5. Label everything. As you sort things out and pack things into boxes, label everything neatly and clearly. Your labeling system does not have to be especially complicated; labeling things "Kitchen" or "Sports Equipment" is simple to do but lets you know exactly what each package and box contains, making it easier to sort and put away once you reach your new destination. Remember to clearly label boxes containing fragile belongings so that they will be handled carefully.
6. Utilize military assistance. Most military bases offer services that will help you pack up your possessions and move them for you for little or no cost to the enlisted person. If you are facing a move inquire about these services and arrange for assistance as quickly as possible so that you are not left handling everything on your own.
7. Keep track of everything you move. Make a list of how you have labeled each box and how many of each box or how many boxes you have from each room. Once you arrive at your new location, check to make sure that everything made it and account for anything that is missing.