In the early 1980s, Congress paved the way for contracted relocation management programs for federal employees. The law permitted agencies to contract for relocation services similar to the private sector programs including guaranteed home sale programs and destination services. Subsequent laws provided monetary incentives for federal employees to move. Recognizing the mobility of the military lifestyle, Congress mandated a test of contracted relocation services for the military in 1986. The relocation needs of the military, at that time, centered on issues such as finding adequate off-installation rental housing, spouse employment, child education, and personal financial management. In 1989, legislation mandated that a DoD-wide relocation assistance program be established with a focus on destination area information, counseling, settling-in assistance, and maintaining financial stability before, during, and after a permanent change of station (PCS) move.

In the early 1980s, Congress paved the way for contracted relocation management programs for federal employees. The law permitted agencies to contract for relocation services similar to the private sector programs including guaranteed home sale programs and destination services. Subsequent laws provided monetary incentives for federal employees to move. Recognizing the mobility of the military lifestyle, Congress mandated a test of contracted relocation services for the military in 1986. The relocation needs of the military, at that time, centered on issues such as finding adequate off-installation rental housing, spouse employment, child education, and personal financial management. In 1989, legislation mandated that a DoD-wide relocation assistance program be established with a focus on destination area information, counseling, settling-in assistance, and maintaining financial stability before, during, and after a permanent change of station (PCS) move.

The relocation service providers must coordinate with other service providers in a number of different programs to understand the different resources and services available to help relocating Service members and families. This is done primarily at the installation level through a variety of coordinating committees that include the base commander, representatives from housing, transportation, education, finance office, the family center, personnel support offices, chaplains and local community leaders among others. The committees meet to discuss strategies and plans for making moves easier to the local area. Relocation service providers can help service members and families identify potential issues (such as those related to spouse employment, child care, and finances) and direct them to the appropriate resources before those issues turn into major, complicated problems.

The relocation service providers must coordinate with other service providers in a number of different programs to understand the different resources and services available to help relocating Service members and families. This is done primarily at the installation level through a variety of coordinating committees that include the base commander, representatives from housing, transportation, education, finance office, the family center, personnel support offices, chaplains and local community leaders among others. The committees meet to discuss strategies and plans for making moves easier to the local area. Relocation service providers can help service members and families identify potential issues (such as those related to spouse employment, child care, and finances) and direct them to the appropriate resources before those issues turn into major, complicated problems.

Many military members and their families learn to thrive on the opportunities and experiences they encounter through the mobile lifestyle. The positive or negative effects are often influenced by how prepared the family is to handle the challenges of repeated relocation. There is, however, a fairly extensive body of research conducted in the 1980s and 90s that suggests that cumulative effects of frequent relocation can influence negative outcomes in family adjustment, financial stability, spouse career development, and even readiness and retention. For example, one 1992 report on a survey of Soldiers and spouses found that:

• one-third experienced problems in finding housing and setting up the household
• almost half reported problems with out-of-pocket moving costs
• the severity of problems associated with relocation were related to families' long-term success in adapting to a mobile lifestyle
• families with more children and children three years of age and older were more likely to have problems with costs and child adjustment
• families whose preference of location and timing were met were less likely to report relocation problems
• accurate pre-departure and post-move information appeared to significantly reduce relocation problems
• problems were reduced when adequate time for preparation and settling-in was provided by unit commanders
• difficulty finding permanent, adequate housing and the amount of time related to finding housing was a major stressor in relocation

Although this study is rather dated, the information gleaned from the study supports a more coordinated approach to the relocation process, whereby service providers work together to anticipate, identify, and address issues before they become major problems for a Service member or family.

Many military members and their families learn to thrive on the opportunities and experiences they encounter through the mobile lifestyle. The positive or negative effects are often influenced by how prepared the family is to handle the challenges of repeated relocation. There is, however, a fairly extensive body of research conducted in the 1980s and 90s that suggests that cumulative effects of frequent relocation can influence negative outcomes in family adjustment, financial stability, spouse career development, and even readiness and retention. For example, one 1992 report on a survey of Soldiers and spouses found that:

• one-third experienced problems in finding housing and setting up the household
• almost half reported problems with out-of-pocket moving costs
• the severity of problems associated with relocation were related to families' long-term success in adapting to a mobile lifestyle
• families with more children and children three years of age and older were more likely to have problems with costs and child adjustment
• families whose preference of location and timing were met were less likely to report relocation problems
• accurate pre-departure and post-move information appeared to significantly reduce relocation problems
• problems were reduced when adequate time for preparation and settling-in was provided by unit commanders
• difficulty finding permanent, adequate housing and the amount of time related to finding housing was a major stressor in relocation

Although this study is rather dated, the information gleaned from the study supports a more coordinated approach to the relocation process, whereby service providers work together to anticipate, identify, and address issues before they become major problems for a Service member or family.

Many measures have been taken in the past decade to ease the effects of relocation on military families. For example:

• In 2005, Congress mandated that the Basic Allowance for Housing cover 100% of the out-of-pocket costs for military members based on the median cost for housing for each location. The Military Housing Privatization Initiative (MHPI) is virtually complete and most of the inadequate military housing has been turned over to the private sector for either renovation or elimination and reconstruction.
• DoD has developed the Automated Housing Referral Network (AHRN) program to make the search for rental housing easier and more efficient.
• Permissive TDY (administrative temporary duty) may be granted for house hunting purposes at the Service member's expense.
• Extensive planning tools, information sheets and destination information are available through Plan My Move, MilitaryINSTALLATIONS, and Military OneSource.

Many measures have been taken in the past decade to ease the effects of relocation on military families. For example:

• In 2005, Congress mandated that the Basic Allowance for Housing cover 100% of the out-of-pocket costs for military members based on the median cost for housing for each location. The Military Housing Privatization Initiative (MHPI) is virtually complete and most of the inadequate military housing has been turned over to the private sector for either renovation or elimination and reconstruction.
• DoD has developed the Automated Housing Referral Network (AHRN) program to make the search for rental housing easier and more efficient.
• Permissive TDY (administrative temporary duty) may be granted for house hunting purposes at the Service member's expense.
• Extensive planning tools, information sheets and destination information are available through Plan My Move, MilitaryINSTALLATIONS, and Military OneSource.

MilitaryHOMEFRONT is divided into three primary sections: Service Providers, Leadership, and Troops & Families. The Service Provider section of the website is a unique, dynamic repository of the most current information pertaining to program resources, initiatives, and policies. Relocation service providers can visit the Relocation News and Updates section to learn about new pilot projects or about new DoD or service-specific regulations, orders, instructions, or directives. Providers can also visit information related to program areas other than their own to learn more about resources and services that might help them to even more effectively meet the needs of their clients.

Under the Troops & Families section of the website, service providers and their clients can also access the Moving and Relocation Homepage. This section of the website provides access to basic moving information (Moving 101), a segment on benefits and allowances, and links to Plan My Move and MilitaryINSTALLATIONS.

Plan My Move is a set of online organizational tools designed to make frequent moves easier and less disruptive for service members and families. Available tools include a customizable calendar, to-do lists, departure and arrival checklists, installation overviews, and installation-specific information on a number of topics such as education, housing, transportation, child care, sponsorship, health care, special needs, and employment. This site is easy to use and provides quick information and results.

MilitaryINSTALLATIONS, available on MilitaryHOMEFRONT, provides contact information for programs and services, comprehensive location articles, photo galleries, and major unit listings as well as links to community information and to official DoD moving resources.

MilitaryHOMEFRONT is divided into three primary sections: Service Providers, Leadership, and Troops & Families. The Service Provider section of the website is a unique, dynamic repository of the most current information pertaining to program resources, initiatives, and policies. Relocation service providers can visit the Relocation News and Updates section to learn about new pilot projects or about new DoD or service-specific regulations, orders, instructions, or directives. Providers can also visit information related to program areas other than their own to learn more about resources and services that might help them to even more effectively meet the needs of their clients.

Under the Troops & Families section of the website, service providers and their clients can also access the Moving and Relocation Homepage. This section of the website provides access to basic moving information (Moving 101), a segment on benefits and allowances, and links to Plan My Move and MilitaryINSTALLATIONS.

Plan My Move is a set of online organizational tools designed to make frequent moves easier and less disruptive for service members and families. Available tools include a customizable calendar, to-do lists, departure and arrival checklists, installation overviews, and installation-specific information on a number of topics such as education, housing, transportation, child care, sponsorship, health care, special needs, and employment. This site is easy to use and provides quick information and results.

MilitaryINSTALLATIONS, available on MilitaryHOMEFRONT, provides contact information for programs and services, comprehensive location articles, photo galleries, and major unit listings as well as links to community information and to official DoD moving resources.

This site provides information and resources to help balance work and family life. Consultants are available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week by phone, online, or via email offering personalized support to any service or family member. Consultants can research housing options in the local civilian community, child care options, education options for children, and other issues that arise during the course of a move. OneSource has a Relocation Essentials section with community comparison data, cost of living information, crime reports, and school report cards. The website also includes a number of moving-related articles on topics such as international relocations, making connections in a new community, and managing the stress of a move.

Military OneSource also offers twelve free in-person counseling sessions per person, per issue. These are short-term, problem-focused sessions that deal with emotional well-being on a variety of issues, such as improving relationships at home and at work, marital issues, and adjusting to a change in situation (such as a return from deployment or a relocation). Military OneSource counselors are licensed, credentialed, and experienced. They also understand the military culture and its unique challenges.

In an effort to further increase access to support, Military OneSource now offers Short-term Solution-Focused Telephonic (STSF-T) Consultation. This new expanded service provides a telephonic consultation option for those who are unable to attend face-to-face counseling sessions due to their overseas location or other circumstances.

To contact Military OneSource by phone, twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, call Stateside at 1-800-342-9647. The Military OneSource website lists specific dialing information for other countries.

This site provides information and resources to help balance work and family life. Consultants are available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week by phone, online, or via email offering personalized support to any service or family member. Consultants can research housing options in the local civilian community, child care options, education options for children, and other issues that arise during the course of a move. OneSource has a Relocation Essentials section with community comparison data, cost of living information, crime reports, and school report cards. The website also includes a number of moving-related articles on topics such as international relocations, making connections in a new community, and managing the stress of a move.

Military OneSource also offers twelve free in-person counseling sessions per person, per issue. These are short-term, problem-focused sessions that deal with emotional well-being on a variety of issues, such as improving relationships at home and at work, marital issues, and adjusting to a change in situation (such as a return from deployment or a relocation). Military OneSource counselors are licensed, credentialed, and experienced. They also understand the military culture and its unique challenges.

In an effort to further increase access to support, Military OneSource now offers Short-term Solution-Focused Telephonic (STSF-T) Consultation. This new expanded service provides a telephonic consultation option for those who are unable to attend face-to-face counseling sessions due to their overseas location or other circumstances.

To contact Military OneSource by phone, twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, call Stateside at 1-800-342-9647. The Military OneSource website lists specific dialing information for other countries.