CIVILIAN PERMANENT CHANGE OF STATION (PCS)

A permanent change of station (PCS) is a relocation of a new or current federal civil service employee from one location to another.  PCS allowances are different for each move and are based on where a member is moving from and going to.  They can be in any combination of the three following types of locations: 

  • Continental United States (CONUS), any of the 48 contiguous states.  Examples:  Washington DC, San Antonio, Texas, etc 
  • Foreign Outside CONUS (F OCONUS), any location outside the CONUS in a foreign country.  Examples:  Japan, Korea, Germany, etc. 
  • Non-foreign OCONUS (NF OCONUS), any location that is an United States territory and outside the 48 contiguous states.  Examples:  Alaska, Hawaii, Guam, etc. 

Briefings

Please review each definition and click on the title to view the briefing. 

  • CONUS to CONUS (Continental United States) Civilian PCS Briefing - A current federal employee making a career move from a Continental United States (CONUS) location (48 contiguous states) to another CONUS location. Example: Hanscom Air Force Base, MA to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, OH 
  • CONUS to Foreign OCONUS Civilian PCS Briefing - A current federal employee making a career move from a Continental United States (CONUS) location (48 contiguous states) to an Overseas location Outside the Continental United States (F- OCONUS) location. Example:  Hanscom AFB, MA to Lakenheath AFB, UK 
  • CONUS to Non Foreign OCONUS (Outside Continental United States) Civilian PCS Briefing - A current federal employee making a career move from a Continental United States (CONUS) location (48 contiguous states) to a Non-Foreign Outside the Continental United States location. Example: Hanscom Air Force Base, MA to Eielson AFB, AK
  • First Duty Civilian PCS Briefing -The first move for the first tour of duty for a new Air Force civilian (OR re-employed after a break in service of 4 or more days*) whether it be within the Continental United States (CONUS), Overseas Outside the Continental United States (OCONUS), or a Non-Foreign Outside the Continental United States (NF-OCONUS) location. (DOES NOT include employees coming from other federal agencies) *See 5 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) §300.703.
  • Foreign OCONUS to CONUS Civilian PCS Briefing - A current federal employee making a career move from Overseas, Outside the Continental United States (OCONUS) to a Continental United States (CONUS) location (48 contiguous states). Example: Ramstein Air Base, GE to Wright- Patterson AFB, OH
  • Foreign OCONUS to Foreign OCONUS Civilian PCS Briefing - A current federal employee making a career move from an Overseas Foreign Outside the Continental United States location to another Overseas Outside the Continental United States location.  Example:  Incirlik AB, Turkey to Ramstein AB, GE 
  • Foreign OCONUS to Non-Foreign OCONUS Civilian PCS Briefing - A current federal employee making a career move from Overseas (Outside the Continental United States) location to a Non-Foreign Outside the Continental United States location. Example: Ramstein AB, GE to Eielson AFB, AK
  • Non Foreign OCONUS to CONUS Civilian PCS Briefing - A current federal employee making a career move from a Non-Foreign Outside the Continental United States location to a Continental United States (CONUS) 48 contiguous states location. Example: Hickam AFB, HI to Wriight- Patterson AFB, OK
  • Non-Foreign OCONUS to Foreign OCONUS Civilian PCS Briefing - A current federal employee making a career move from a Non-Foreign Outside the Continental United States location to an Overseas Foreign location. Example: Hickam AFB, HI to Lakenheath AB, UK
  • Non-Foreign OCONUS to Non-Foreign OCONUS Civilian PCS Briefing - A current federal employee making a career move from a Non-Foreign Outside the Continental United States location to another Non-Foreign Outside the Continental United States location. Example: Hickam AFB, HI to Elmendorf AFB, AK
  • Retirement and Separation PCS Briefing - A retiring or separating (voluntary or involuntary) civilian employee from a Foreign OCONUS or Non-Foreign OCONUS location only. ***Members retiring or separating from a CONUS location are NOT entitled to PCS. One exception – retirement of an SES employee with their last move. ***

Executing your Move 

Ensure you read your PCS Order in its entirety! 

Get PCS Help From an Expert !!!
Click the link below to begin your move. The professionals at Military One Source can provide you the guidance you need after receiving your PCS orders. 

MILITARY ONE SOURCE PCS MOVES

If authorized House Hunting Trip (HHT), file your voucher for reimbursement no later than 10 days after completing your trip!

Reimbursable expenses must be completed within 1 year from the employee's effective date of transfer or appointment date in accordance with the Joint Travel Regulations, Chapter 5, Part F, 053712.  

After the Move/Filing for reimbursement

Contact your local FM Office using the link below to register and create an inquiry to begin the process of filing your travel voucher. 

AIR FORCE
COMPTROLLER

To prevent delays DO NOT file your PCS claim with DFAS. 

5 common errors to avoid, help ensure your claim is pay ready when submitted: 

  1. Include all Orders and Amendments (DD Form 1614) 
  2. Make sure your signature and date are complete on DD Form 1351-2 blocks 20 a-f. 
  3. Complete the entire itinerary (block 15) on the DD Form 1351-2 using the correct codes on page 2 and including an “MC” at the end of your trip. 
  4. Include SF 1199 EFT/Direct Deposit Information with each submission 
  5. Be sure your email information is accurate and legible in Block 6 on DD Form 1351-2 

We strongly recommend that you save every document (i.e., receipts, bill of sale, invoices, etc.) for every incurred expense in your civilian Permanent Change of Station move; these may be needed for reimbursement and/or tax purposes. A properly completed DD Form 1351-2 (Travel Voucher or Sub voucher) must accompany every request for payment. Be sure to keep a copy of anything you submit, as well as a copy of all settled vouchers, for your records. 

TAX INFORMATION

Most PCS allowances are taxable. Please review the below for information regarding Relocation Income Tax Allowance (RITA), Household Goods Reimbursement (HHG) and Withholding Tax Allowance (WTA). 

References

Joint Travel Regulation: The Joint Travel Regulations (JTR) implements policy and law to establish travel and transportation allowances for Uniformed Service members (i.e., Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Space Force, Coast Guard, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Corps, and Public Health Service Commissioned Corps), Department of Defense (DoD) civilian employees, and others traveling at the DoD’s expense.

Federal Travel Regulation: The Federal Travel Regulation summarizes the travel and relocation policy for all federal civilian employees and others authorized to travel at the government’s expense. Federal employees and agencies may use the FTR as a reference to ensure official travel and relocation is conducted in a responsible and cost effective manner.

Personal Property Consignment Instructions Guide: Provides instructions to apply to shipments bound for foreign countries and detail weight restrictions, custom procedures, and prohibited items.

AFMAN 36-204: This Manual provides guidance for recruitment and placement for Air Force appropriated fund positions overseas, and the rotation and return placement of United States appropriated fund civilian employees from positions in foreign and non-foreign overseas areas.

DODI1400.25V630_AFI 36-815: This publication clarifies DoD policy, assigns responsibilities, and prescribes procedures for requesting leave for civilian employees.

DAFMAN 36-142: This publication outlines roles, responsibilities, procedures, and criteria for civilian career field and centrally-managed programs, and is consistent with Air Force Instruction (AFI) 36-130, Civilian Career and Developmental Programs, and outlines procedures and criteria for civilian career field and centrally-managed programs.

Waivers and Curtailment Propelling Performance Powerpoint: Details specific requirements and processes for requesting waivers and curtailments. 

Department of State Standardized Regulations
This government-wide set of regulations is commonly referred to as the DSSR and governs allowances and benefits available to U.S. Government civilians assigned to foreign areas. Note that because individual agencies may draft their own implementing regulations, which can be more restrictive than the DSSR, you may not be eligible for all of the allowances.

The appearance of external links on this site does not constitute official endorsement on behalf of the U.S. Air Force or Department of Defense.

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