You’re waiting. Again.

No orders yet, no dates on the calendar — just that familiar feeling that another PCS is coming and you should probably be doing something. You’re looking ahead to 2026 and wondering how to start PCS prep without jumping the gun. The in-between season can be one of the most stressful parts of military life, especially when you know a PCS is coming but don’t have details yet.

The good news: PCS prep doesn’t have to wait for orders to drop. There are smart, time-saving steps you can take now that will save you money, heartache, and stress later.

Let's walk through what you can do before your 2026 PCS orders drop, what’s better left on hold, and how to set yourself up for a smoother move when the time comes.

PCS Prep Before Orders Drop

PCS prep before orders drop isn’t about making firm decisions — it’s about setting yourself up so you’re not scrambling later. At this stage, you’re gathering information and getting organized, not locking in plans or dates.

Think of it as creating a solid foundation for your next PCS, even if you don’t know where you’re headed yet. Or maybe you have an assignment, but no hard orders – either way, it’s okay to prepare.

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There are several things you can safely work on now that will pay off once orders are official.

These early steps help streamline the process later and make the transition easier on your entire household:

What you can do before orders drop:

• Organize important documents and records
• Start a running PCS prep list for household items, paperwork, and to-dos
• Review your finances with a PCS lens, including potential out-of-pocket costs
• Do light research on the base you’ll be stationed at, looking into schools, housing options, and cost of living, without getting attached

Some decisions are better left on hold until you have confirmed orders. Jumping too early can create unnecessary stress and potential financial risk:

What’s best to wait on:

• Booking movers or travel
• Giving notice to landlords, childcare providers, or schools
• Making non-refundable purchases or commitments

This balance — preparing without overcommitting — is what makes PCS prep before orders drop so effective.

PCS Prep Step 1: Organizing Important Documents

This is one of the simplest ways to make PCS prep feel manageable — and it’s something you can do without knowing where you’re headed. Having key documents organized ahead of time can save hours (and a lot of frustration) once your PCS move is officially underway.

Instead of hunting things down at the last minute, take some time now to gather and store the paperwork you’re most likely to need. A PCS binder can make a huge difference later.

Documents worth organizing and having ready for your binder:

• Military and dependent IDs
• Birth certificates and passports
• Medical and dental records
• School records, transcripts, and IEPs or 504 plans
• Pet vaccination records and microchip information

If you have older kids, this is also a good time to make sure records are current and easy to transfer. For families who’ve PCS’d before, updating your files instead of starting from scratch can make prepping for a PCS far less overwhelming.

This kind of early PCS prep may not feel exciting, but it’s one of those steps you’ll be grateful for when timelines tighten and decisions start stacking up fast.

PCS Prep Step 2: Get Organized, Declutter, and Start Making Lists

Facing 8–12 months before a PCS can feel overwhelming. After all, you’re dealing with years of accumulated items that made those four walls become your home. Even small steps toward decluttering now can make a huge difference later.

PCS prep at this stage isn’t about perfection – it’s about progress and taking control of the chaos.

Decluttering made manageable:

• Tackle one room, category, or corner at a time, even 10-15 minutes counts
• Create donation, discard, and “keep but maybe pack later” piles
• Be realistic: if it hasn’t been used in a year, it’s probably safe to let it go

Building your PCS prep list:

• Make a running inventory of household items, especially high-value or fragile things
• Note items that need special handling or shouldn’t be packed together
• Get lists going of what’s in your pantry – start using products you won’t be taking
• Track moving tasks as they come to mind — packing, shipping, storage, or timing reminders

Even a little forward motion now goes a long way toward a smoother PCS move later.

PCS Prep Step 3: Review and Get Your Finances in Order

Financial stressors can sneak up quickly during a PCS. Take this time to review your finances with the upcoming move in mind.

Consider:

• Checking your emergency fund and making minor adjustments if needed
• Tracking potential out-of-pocket costs such as temporary lodging, meals, or pet transport
• Updating your household budget to account for extra PCS-related expenses
• Reviewing travel reimbursements and entitlements you may be eligible for
• Comparing moving cost estimates (storage, movers, shipping) to plan ahead
• Planning for potential pay timing gaps or temporary relocation costs
• Noting upcoming recurring bills that may be affected by your move

PCS Prep Step 4: Research Your Assigned New Duty Station Without Committing

It’s natural to be curious about schools, housing, and the cost of living at your next duty station — but it’s essential to do research without feeling pressured to commit. At this stage, you’re gathering information, not making final decisions.

Do:

• Bookmark resources on schools, neighborhoods, and housing types
• Compare high-level cost-of-living information
• Track community amenities, such as libraries, parks, and recreation centers, that may impact daily life
• Research local healthcare options, including clinics, hospitals, and pediatric providers
• Look into transportation and commute options, including public transit or typical driving times
• Keep a folder of useful websites, PDFs, or contact info for easy reference when orders drop

PCS Prep Step 5: Prepare Your Family

A PCS affects the whole family, and beginning preparations early can make the transition feel less chaotic for everyone. Depending on your family and what you decide is best, this may include prepping extended family about your upcoming PCS.

This might look like:

• Having age-appropriate conversations with children about upcoming moves
• Validating feelings and normalizing uncertainty
• Talking about what vacations/family-trips/time with extended family looks like
• Keeping open communication with your spouse or partner about what’s coming
• Creating a shared family calendar for important PCS-related tasks and milestones
• Discussing potential changes to routines, schools, or childcare in advance
• Involving older children in organizing and packing their own belongings
• Identifying support systems, such as friends, neighbors, or local military family groups

What NOT to Do While Prepping for Your 2026 PCS BEFORE Orders Drop

Even when you’re eager to get a head start, some actions are best saved until your PCS orders are official. Avoiding premature decisions can prevent unnecessary stress, financial risk, and headaches down the road.

Don’t:

• Book movers, travel, or temporary lodging too early
• Give notice to landlords, childcare providers, or schools before orders are confirmed
• Make non-refundable purchases or long-term commitments
• Commit to leases, storage units, or service contracts without flexibility
• Finalize school enrollments or childcare arrangements before official dates are set

The idea is to get a head start without feeling buried, so you can keep making progress while still enjoying life at home.

Sit, Wait, Prep: Set Your Family Up for a Successful 2026 PCS

PCS prep before orders drop can feel overwhelming, especially when your heart is still in the home, the routines, and the friendships you’ve built at your current duty station.

Between organizing documents, decluttering—looking at all the crafts the kids have created over the last 3 years—reviewing finances, researching thoughtfully, preparing your family, and holding off on significant commitments, it’s natural to feel the weight of what’s ahead.

Taking things one step at a time allows you to care for your family, stay organized, and make progress — all while still cherishing the moments, memories, and everyday life that make this place feel like home.

Suggested reads:

• Winter PCS Prep: How to Move in Snow, Ice, and Freezing Temps Without Losing Money
• PCS Moves Are Forcing Spouses to Repay College Aid: Here's How to Avoid It
• How the New Bipartisan Bill Protects PCS Leave for Military Spouses