PPM Moves Explained: A Military Family’s Guide to the DITY Move

A Personally Procured Move, or PPM, lets you manage your own PCS move instead of using a government-arranged moving company, then get reimbursed. It used to be called a DITY move. Under a member-elected PPM, you receive 100% of the Government Constructed Cost, the amount the government would have paid to move you, according to the official PPM fact sheet. If you move for less, you may keep the difference.

We are a veteran-owned moving company based in Lorton, next to Fort Belvoir, so PCS season is a big part of our year. This guide covers how a PPM works, what gets reimbursed, how to avoid the paperwork mistakes that cost families money, and when it makes sense to hire movers inside a PPM.

A PPM is a PCS move you arrange yourself. You can drive a rental truck, tow a trailer, ship a portable container, or hire a moving company. The government reimburses you instead of booking the move for you.

There are two main types, per the fact sheet:

• Member-elected PPM. You receive 100% of the Government Constructed Cost (GCC) for the move and any storage.
• Actual cost reimbursement PPM. You are reimbursed up to the actual cost of your documented moving expenses, not to exceed your authorized weight entitlement.

You can also do a partial PPM. The government moves most of your household goods, and you move the rest yourself, like items you want with you on the drive. Military.com recommends working out every detail of a partial PPM with your transportation office first.

Your reimbursement is based on what the government would have paid a moving company to move the same weight the same distance. That is the GCC. Your actual costs, like the truck, fuel, and packing materials, come out of that amount.

If your actual costs come in under the GCC, the difference is yours. That is the main reason families choose a PPM. Keep in mind that money above your actual costs may be taxable. Military.com points to IRS guidance, and the IRS Armed Forces’ Tax Guide covers moving expenses for service members. Ask your finance office how it will be reported.

Rates can change. In 2025, the Coast Guard announced a temporary increase to 130% for some PPMs. Always confirm the current rate for your orders with your transportation office.

1. Get your orders and attend counseling. Your transportation office will walk you through entitlements and set up your move. At Fort Belvoir, for example, the Transportation Office is in Building 314 on Gridley Road, and attending a briefing is required before your paperwork is cleared.
2. Register your move in the system. Your branch will direct you to the right online system, such as DPS or MilMove, to set up the PPM and see your estimated incentive.
3. Decide on an advance. An advance may be available to cover upfront costs. The fact sheet notes your service may require you to settle the PPM within a set number of days if you take one.
4. Get your empty weight ticket. Weigh the empty vehicle at a certified scale before loading.
5. Load and get your full weight ticket. Weigh the loaded vehicle at a certified scale. Do this for each segment of the move.
6. Save every receipt. Truck rental, packing materials, fuel, tolls, and scale fees all count.
7. Submit your closeout. Turn in weight tickets, receipts, and orders. Military.com notes a 45-day window to submit a claim, but confirm your service’s deadline.

For the full timeline from orders to arrival, use our PCS move checklist for military families.

Missing or incomplete weight tickets are the most common reason PPM reimbursement gets denied or cut. The fact sheet requires empty and full weight tickets from a certified weigh station for each segment of the move.

Military.com lists what a valid weight ticket should show: your name, grade, and identifying information, the scale location, the vehicle ID, the date, and the weigh master’s signature. Your net weight is the loaded weight minus the empty weight.

A few habits that save headaches:

• Fill the gas tank before the empty weigh, so both tickets match
• Take a photo of every ticket the moment you get it
• Keep originals in a folder that rides in the cab with you, not in the truck box

According to Military.com, these costs directly tied to the move are generally covered:

• Rental trucks and trailers
• Packing materials
• Moving equipment
• Gas and oil
• Highway tolls and weight ticket fees

Military.com lists tow dolly rental, insurance fees, and sales tax as items that are not reimbursed. Rules vary by service, so check your branch’s guidance before you spend.

Yes. A PPM does not mean you have to carry everything yourself. You can hire movers for the heavy lifting and still manage the PPM paperwork and reimbursement. Common setups include:

• Labor only. You rent the truck, and labor-only movers load and unload it.
• Packing help. Packing services save days when your report date is tight.
• Full service. Movers pack, load, drive, and deliver, and you keep the receipts for your claim.
• Storage. Warehouse storage covers the gap while you wait on housing.

Keep every invoice and receipt, and confirm with your transportation office what documentation your claim needs.

Military families are a common target for moving scams. The Military OneSource PPM fact sheet lists these red flags:

• Low-ball quotes that sound too good to be true
• Being contacted by a moving broker instead of the actual moving company
• Demands for a cash or bank deposit before the move
• Movers who show up and do not match what you agreed to

Before you hire anyone, look them up on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s Protect Your Move site. Quick Reaction Moving & Storage operates under USDOT #3566336 and MC #1217560, and you can verify both there.

A PPM tends to work best for smaller households, families who want control of their dates during peak season, and anyone who wants to keep their belongings in their own hands. A government move tends to work best for large households, overseas moves, and families who would rather not manage the logistics.

• Book early for summer. Peak PCS season runs May through August, and trucks and movers book up fast.
• Plan base access. On-post moves need gate planning. Our Fort Belvoir movers page explains how moving companies get through the Tulley Gate. Headed to or from Quantico? See our Dumfries movers page.
• Mind the traffic. I-95 and Route 1 back up at rush hour, so plan scale stops and loading around the peaks.
• New to the area? Our newcomer’s guide to Northern Virginia covers neighborhoods and commutes.

Is a DITY move the same as a PPM?

Yes. DITY was the old name, and it is now called a Personally Procured Move, or PPM.

How much does a PPM pay?

A member-elected PPM pays 100% of the Government Constructed Cost, per the current fact sheet. Your actual payout depends on your weight, distance, and orders.

Do I need weight tickets for every trip?

Yes. You need empty and full weight tickets from a certified scale for each segment of the move.

Is PPM money taxable?

It can be. Payments above your actual moving costs may be taxable, so check with your finance office and IRS guidance.

Can I hire a moving company and still do a PPM?

Yes. You can hire movers for packing, loading, or the full job, as long as you keep the receipts and follow your service’s rules.

Who do I call with PPM questions?

Start with your local transportation office. The Personal Property Activity call center is also available at 833-MIL-MOVE (833-645-6683).

Quick Reaction Moving & Storage is veteran-owned, and our military movers handle PCS moves across Northern Virginia. We offer discounts for active military and veterans. Request a free in-home or virtual estimate or call (571) 946-0781, and keep the receipt for your claim.