Read every line of the orders
Confirm dependents, travel authorization, reporting instructions and whether amendments are needed.
Build official checklist ↗PCS OʻAHU GUIDEMade for military families
Need help? Military OneSourceA family-first PCS companion
Your Oʻahu PCS, organized.
A clear path through moving, housing, schools, pets, vehicles, health care, reimbursements and the benefits military families often miss.
01
Arriving
Get oriented, build your checklist and know your first steps.
Start here →
02
Leaving
Out-process with less stress and protect every reimbursement.
Plan departure →03
Housing
Compare options, commute realities, schools and local costs.
Explore housing →
04
Extra benefits
Discover programs that can save your family money and time.
Find benefits →01
Orders control reimbursementVerify authorization before spending.
02
Hawaiʻi has local rulesHousing, lodging, vehicles and pets need early action.
03
Keep every documentReceipts and approvals protect your claim.
Your move, in the right order
Build the Oʻahu arrival plan
Choose where you are in the move. Complete the actions that apply, then confirm branch-specific requirements with your transportation, housing, personnel and finance offices.
Contact the gaining sponsor
Ask about check-in, temporary lodging, transportation, unit requirements and current local conditions.
Find the installation ↗Start the household-goods move
Create or update your Defense Personal Property System shipment request. Do not wait for peak-season dates to disappear.
Open DPS ↗Official starting points
Four links that move the move forward
The complete handoff
Every part of the move has an official front door
Use these sources to begin. Then confirm local procedures, deadlines and eligibility with the responsible office listed in your orders or installation guidance.
Money & allowances
Check what the orders authorize before spending. Your finance office decides the claim—not a social-media estimate.
Housing & arrival
Compare commute, government housing, school boundaries and temporary-lodging rules before signing anything.
Family continuity
Move care, education and support records early—especially when school, prescriptions or special-needs services cannot pause.
Vehicles & pets
Island moves add shipping, inspection, registration and animal-entry steps that can become expensive when started late.
Benefits families often miss
Before you pay out of pocket, check here.
These are real starting points—not automatic promises. Eligibility changes by service, status, rank, orders and program rules.
Spouse careerUP TO $1,000
Spouse licensure or business-cost reimbursement
A service branch may reimburse eligible costs caused by a qualifying PCS. Procedures and covered moves differ by branch.
Check eligibility ↗EducationUP TO $4,000
MyCAA education scholarship
Eligible military spouses may receive career-training support for approved licenses, certificates or associate degrees.
Check eligibility ↗Taxes$0
MilTax filing software and tax help
Eligible service members and families can use Military OneSource tax preparation support without a commercial filing upgrade.
Check eligibility ↗ChildrenNO-COST
Tutor.com for military families
Eligible military-connected students can receive online tutoring in many subjects. Access rules vary by service and status.
Check eligibility ↗TravelFREE
TSA PreCheck for eligible members
Eligible U.S. Armed Forces members can use their DoD ID number as the Known Traveler Number when booking travel.
Check eligibility ↗RecreationFREE PASS
National parks military pass
Current members and dependents, veterans and Gold Star Families may qualify for complimentary federal recreation access.
Check eligibility ↗Well-being12 SESSIONS
Non-medical counseling
Military OneSource offers confidential, short-term support for eligible military members and families, including PCS stress.
Check eligibility ↗EmploymentFREE COACHING
Spouse Education & Career Opportunities
Career coaches can help with resumes, job searches, portable careers, education and professional licensing after a move.
Check eligibility ↗Child careREQUEST EARLY
Child-care placement and fee assistance
Use the DoD request system before arrival. Eligible families may also qualify for community-based fee assistance when care is unavailable.
Check eligibility ↗Oʻahu arrival reality
The first week should feel organized—not improvised.
Use your sponsor and command instructions first. Then handle temporary lodging, housing, medical enrollment, school or child care, vehicle arrival and the travel claim while documents are still easy to find.
1Check in2Housing/TLA3DEERS/TRICARE4School & child care5Vehicle & claim
When the move creates a financial emergency
Ask your service relief organization before using high-cost credit.
Entitlements depend on orders, service policy, duty location, eligibility and current regulations. Verify all reimbursement and reporting decisions with the appropriate command, transportation, housing or finance office.