Military and Government Moving: What Families and Agencies Should Know
Moving for the military or a government job is not like a normal move. Extra rules, extra paperwork, and often a tight deadline. If you live near Kirtland Air Force Base, Sandia National Laboratories, White Sands Missile Range, or Holloman Air Force Base, chances are your next move will involve one of these processes at some point.
Here is a breakdown on what makes these moves different, what’s changing this year, and a few things worth knowing before you start.
What Makes a Military or Government Move Different
A regular move is between you and the moving company. A military or government move usually involves a third party, like the Department of Defense, the General Services Administration (GSA), or a federal agency’s own relocation office. That means:
- The mover has to be pre-approved to work with that agency.
- Paperwork and weight limits often follow strict federal rules.
- Timelines can be short, especially with a Permanent Change of Station (PCS) order.
- Storage may need to meet specific security or reporting standards.
According to Department of Defense figures, more than 400,000 service members and their families move to a new post each year, and they typically stay at each post for two to four years. That adds up to a lot of families in Albuquerque and Alamogordo who need a mover who already knows the process, not one who is learning it on the job.
Why the Approvals Matter
Not every moving company can take on a military or federal job. Movers usually have to be vetted and approved by the agency involved before they can even bid on the work. That approval process looks at things like insurance, safety record, and how the company handles sensitive shipments.
In practice, this is why it pays to ask a mover directly whether they hold the right approvals for your specific move, whether that’s a Department of Defense Approved Transportation designation for a PCS move, CHAMP approval, GSA authorization for a federal employee relocation, or experience working with a national laboratory like Los Alamos. Agencies like HUNT Military Housing, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the International Boundary Water Commission also tend to work with movers they already know, since these jobs come with their own paperwork and reporting requirements.
APACA has held these approvals for years, alongside membership in the International Association of Movers and Certified Pro Mover status with the American Trucking Association, so we’re used to walking families and agencies through the process.
Big Changes Coming to Military Moves in 2026
If you are planning a PCS move soon, it helps to know the system is changing. A new permanent agency is taking over how military moves are managed, an older privatization contract is ending, and a directive is to cut discretionary moves in half over the next few years. The cuts are being rolled out in stages, starting small and growing each year through 2030.
What this means for military families: the process may look a little different than it did for your last PCS, and fewer optional moves may be approved going forward. It’s worth asking your transportation office early about how these changes affect your specific orders.
Tips for a Smooth Military or Government Move
- Start your paperwork early. Government moves often need approval before a truck can even be scheduled. Get your orders and any required forms in as soon as you have them.
- Ask about weight limits. PCS moves come with an allowance based on your rank and family size. Going over it can mean paying out of pocket, so it helps to get an early estimate of your household goods.
- Plan for storage if your timeline is tight. Between duty stations or during a lab or agency clearance process, you may need short or long term storage. APACA offers secure warehouse storage in Albuquerque for exactly this kind of gap.
- Work with a mover who already has the approvals. Switching movers mid-process because one is not DoD or GSA approved can cost you time you do not have. Confirm your mover’s certifications before you book.
Serving Kirtland AFB, Sandia Labs, Los Alamos, White Sands, and Holloman
Our Albuquerque office sits close to Kirtland Air Force Base and Sandia National Laboratories, and we regularly support moves in and out of Los Alamos National Laboratory. Our Alamogordo office is close to Holloman Air Force Base and White Sands Missile Range, so we understand the base access rules and timing for moves in that area, too.
Whether you are a service member with PCS orders, a federal employee starting a new post, or a lab employee relocating for work, our team has handled the paperwork and logistics before.
Get Help With Your Military or Government Move
If you have orders in hand or a start date coming up and want to talk through the details, call APACA Moving & Storage at (505) 578-2767 in Albuquerque or (575) 221-1202 in Alamogordo, or request a free estimate here.
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