Home of Record moving questions

[airgreg]

I'm trying to set up my home of record move to my next duty station and I've run into a few questions:

1) If I won't be able to physically be there for the move, I need to give someone Power of Attorney to complete it, right? How is this done?

2) If I need to move a second car to my next duty station (and I'm unable to do that myself), can I let someone else drive the car and still get reimbursed for travel and mileage costs? Would they need Power of Attorney also?

3) Does that second car have to be registered in my name?

I tried the Personal Property Office on base, but they won't talk to you unless you have orders in hand, and I won't be getting orders until right before my move. I appreciate your help in advance. Thanks.

 

[Steve Wilkins]

Airgreg,

It sounds like you're talking about a Permanent Change of Station (PCS) move. A change of your home of record is purely an administrative matter (and somewhat difficult to do at that). Why don't you think you'll be able to be there for your move? I don't know of any command that doesn't provide a couple courtesy days off in order to be there when the packers pack your household goods and also when the movers come to pick it up. If at all possible, I would not place this responsibility on someone else. But to answer your question:

1) No, all you will need is a Letter of Authorization: This allows the service member to designate a representative (agent) to act on his/her behalf. This is prepared by the service member and must be notarized or countersigned by a commissioned officer in the member's command. If no one is designated as an agent to release or receive the shipment, no one other than the member can accept the shipment or sign the shipment documents.

NOTE: Even the spouse must be designated as a Releasing/Receiving agent.

2) I'm pretty sure you can have someone else other than you or your wife drive the second automobile. However, they would not be entitled to any travel entitlements. And you won't need a power of attorney to have your second automobile moved either. If that second car is not registered to you, it should probably be registered to your wife. If you're not married, or that car doesn't belong to you or your wife, then I can't see how the Navy will authorize paying for its move.

The Navy is doing household goods moves a little differently these days. No longer are you required to go into Personal Property in order to set up your move or go through their briefing. It's all done online now at https://www.smartwebmove.navsup.navy.mil and I would highly recommend you checking the website out. There is a great deal of info on there even if you don't have your orders yet. In the case you still have questions, you should still be able to talk to someone at the Personal Property office. That's what they're there for.

 

[airgreg]

Steve,

Thanks for the detailed answer. I've checked out the websites, but they don't seem to offer all the answers. I don't think I'll be able to be there (at my home of record) for the move because I'm doing the API-to-Primary thing where they don't give us orders until the last minute, and I don't think I'll be able to bank on taking leave when Primary starts to complete the move. If I'm wrong, let me know b/c this is a first for me, but my understanding is they want you at Primary ready to go.

As far as the car goes, I'm trying to get my girlfriend's car out to my Primary duty station -- she's moving there with me. Is there a way I can do this so I get reimbursed for mileage? Am I wrong?

Any other recommendations on how best to complete this move? Appreciate all the help,
-Greg