Some Navy Transportation Service Providers Fully Booked

From Naval Supply Systems Command Corporate Communications

MECHANICSBURG, Pa. (NNS) -- A Navy general administrative message (GENADMIN), released June 15, advises Sailors and civilians not to schedule any household goods (HHG) pack and pickup dates now through July 15.

According to Naval Supply Systems Command's GENADMIN MIL-STD-6040(SERIES)/B.0.01.00, the Navy's current transportation service providers (TSPs) are fully booked to and from Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, and Washington.

Customers who are projected to move by July 15 and have not yet scheduled their pack-out, should immediately log into the Defense Personal Property System (DPS), get a user name, and complete their self-counseling, or go to their local personal property office to get a face-to-face counseling session. Sailors and civilians can register with DPS at www.move.mil.

"If you can avoid this period, we advise you to do so," said Frank Piacine, Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP) Navy Household Goods director. "However, if you must move during this time frame, please understand that short-notice delays or cancellations may occur due to lack of TSP personnel or equipment."

The GENADMIN notes, "…Sailors/Employees are cautioned not to plan, cancel, or enter into rental agreements or leases , or buy/sell their homes until local transportation offices and/or TSP confirms your requested HHG pack, pick-up, and delivery dates.

There are many factors that could impact whether or not a pack out or move could be cancelled, including the location being moved from, the location being move to, the weight of the goods to be moved, the specific dates the move must be made, and others.

"Overall, less than one percent of moves will be impacted," Piacine said. "However, in an area where we experience a 'perfect storm' and many of these factors impact a base or bases, the actual numbers for that area could be higher.

Piacine said planning, preparation and flexibility are keys to success. Customers need to get their shipment requests into the system as soon as they receive their orders. Procrastination hurts the customer's chances of getting a moving company during this timeframe. The customer can benefit substantially from paying attention to their counseling, asking questions and staying in contact with their moving company once they have been contacted.

"Members who are separating, retiring, vacating government quarters or have a date that cannot be changed, will need to work closely with their local personal property office to reschedule the move or have their goods stored at the current location until transportation becomes available," Piacine said. "Alternatively, customers can choose to perform a Personally Procured Move (PPM) and move as scheduled to meet their report date or have a family member remain behind to conduct the move."

"If you have been contacted by a moving company, we recommend you maintain communications with their personnel and call them several times, including the day before the scheduled pick up to help avoid delay," Piacine said. "If you have not been contacted by a company and your move is fast approaching we recommend you contact your local Department of Defense personal property office for assistance."

Piacine said service members who have their scheduled pack out cancelled, need to contact their local personal property office immediately. There are some different options available depending on individual circumstances.

For more information, contact a local personal property office or send questions to householdgoods@navy.mil.

NAVSUP's primary mission is to provide U.S. naval forces with quality supplies and services. With headquarters in Mechanicsburg, Pa., and employing a diverse, worldwide workforce of more than 22,500 military and civilian personnel, NAVSUP oversees logistics programs in the areas of supply operations, conventional ordnance, contracting, resale, fuel, transportation, and security assistance. In addition, NAVSUP is responsible for quality of life issues for our naval forces, including food service, postal services, Navy Exchanges, and movement of household goods.