Questions, answered

PCS Copilot generates a personalized PCS playbook for your specific move. You tell us your rank, branch, origin, destination, dependents, and move details — and we give you your exact entitlements in dollars, a week-by-week timeline, and a checklist of everything you need to do. It takes 2 minutes and costs $15.99.

Your playbook is generated instantly after payment. You will receive a link via email and can access it right away in your browser.

Your playbook includes: your estimated DLA, MALT, per diem, TLE/TLA, and PPM payout in exact dollar amounts based on your rank and dependents; an 8-week countdown timeline with specific deadlines for TMO, housing, medical, finance, and outprocessing; branch-specific gotchas and tips; and a checklist you can actually follow.

No. PCS Copilot is built by active-duty service members but is not affiliated with the DoD, any branch of service, or any official military program. The information is based on the Joint Travel Regulations (JTR), DTOD, and real PCS experience — but always verify with your finance office and TMO for your specific situation.

PCS Copilot was built by an active-duty Air Force member who got tired of digging through the 800-page JTR and watching peers leave money on the table. The goal is simple: every service member should know exactly what they're owed and exactly what to do, without needing to become a finance expert.

Most service members are entitled to DLA (Dislocation Allowance), MALT (mileage reimbursement), per diem during travel, TLE or TLA (temporary lodging), household goods shipment, and potentially PPM (DITY) move reimbursement. The exact amounts depend on your rank, dependents, and whether you're moving OCONUS. Your playbook calculates all of these for you.

A Personally Procured Move (PPM), formerly called DITY, means you move some or all of your household goods yourself instead of using the government's moving company. The government pays you what it would have cost them — which can be thousands of dollars in profit, especially for shorter CONUS moves. You need weight tickets and an approved PPM in DPS.

Dislocation Allowance (DLA) is a flat payment to cover miscellaneous moving costs — deposits, utility hookups, etc. In 2026, the rate for E-4 to E-6 is $2,389.42 without dependents and $3,548.02 with dependents (rates vary by pay grade). You get DLA for every qualifying PCS move. No receipts required.

OCONUS moves involve additional considerations: TLA instead of TLE (up to 60 days), possible COLA, passports/visas/SOFA stamps, vehicle shipping or storage, overseas housing allowance (OHA), and potentially longer HHG transit times. Your playbook flags all OCONUS-specific items and deadlines.

If you have a family member in the Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP), your assignment must be screened and approved to ensure adequate medical and educational services at the gaining installation. Start the EFMP screening as early as possible — it can take weeks and can block your PCS if not completed. Your playbook includes EFMP-specific timeline items.

Ideally 8–10 weeks before your report date. That gives you time for TMO scheduling, housing applications, medical/dental records, vehicle prep, school transfers, and all the other moving parts. The earlier you start, the less stressful it is. Your playbook gives you a week-by-week countdown starting from today.

Yes. If your playbook isn't useful, email help@pcscopilot.com and we'll refund you. No hassle.