U.S. MILITARY ON THE MOVE
Making real estate easy
with local experts
If you are buying or selling a home, our agents have the experience and reputation to deliver superior real estate service to those who have served in the military. U.S. Military on the Move®(MOM) is a real estate program offered by top independent real estate companies who are experts in their local markets.
As an approved U.S. Military on the Move®agent, I to pledge to:
· Identify, understand and fulfill the Military Consumer's stated needs.
· Understand the PCS process.
· Help the Military Consumer compare on-base housing options with purchasing/renting off-base.
· Only accept referrals when I am well-qualified in the stated area of interest.
· Provide rental assistance if necessary.
· Be knowledgeable and trustworthy, and take the time to show multiple areas.
· Provide resources to evaluate communities, schools, employment, commute times, medical providers, etc.
· Be organized and efficient, to ensure the best use of their time.
· Look out for the Military Consumer's best interests and ensure they are receiving all benefits to which they are entitled.
· Provide "above and beyond" service.
· Make every effort to develop opportunities to refer military buyers and sellers to fellow LeadingRE firms through this program.
The Military on the Move® program was developed for our members to have an opportunity to say thank you to veterans and active duty military. Military members have the opportunity to work with the very best real estate agents and receive a rebate or credit when buying or selling a home. In fact, our program rebate is richer than many military rebate programs, and more importantly, there is no mortgage tie-in; you can choose to work with any lender.
For additional information please visit https://www.usmilitaryonthemove.com or contact me with any questions.
Military Terminology & Acronyms:
United States Armed Forces
This is used to denote collectively only the regular components of the United States Military. Under the Department of Defense is the Army, Air Force, Navy, and the Marine Corps (which actually comes under the Navy). The Coast Guard comes under the Department of Homeland Security.
Military Service
A branch of the Armed Forces of the United States, established by act of Congress, in which persons are appointed, enlisted, or inducted (drafted) for military service, and which operates and is administered within a military or executive department.
United States
Includes the land area, internal waters, territorial sea, and airspace of the United States, including the following: a. US territories, possessions, and commonwealths; and b. Other areas over which the US Government has complete jurisdiction and control or has exclusive authority or defense responsibility.
AAFES - Army and Air Force Exchange Service: This includes the BX (base exchange typically on AF bases) and PX (post exchange typically on Army posts). The exchanges sell clothing, cosmetics, electronics, appliances and many other goods.
Active duty: Full-time duty in the active military service of the United States.
Advance Pay: This allowance is sometimes approved to cover extraordinary expenses associated with a permanent change of station (PCS) move. The service member must apply to his or her commander for approval for this advance. If approved, the Service member is typically required to pay it back within twelve months. It will be deducted from the Service member's paycheck over this period of time. Advance pay of Basic Allowance for Housing and Overseas Housing Allowance are also possible, upon approval.
AWOL: Absent without (an approved) leave.
BAH - Basic allowance for housing: BAH is given to service members who live off of the installation to offset the cost of housing and housing-related expenses, such as utilities. The rate received depends on rank/pay grade, dependency status, and where the service member is stationed.
BOQ - Bachelor Officer's Quarters: Small, apartment-like housing provided for unmarried officers at a minimal charge, located on base or post.
BRAC: Base realignment and closure
COLA: Cost of living allowance
Command Sponsored Dependent Entry Approval: Authorization for a military dependent to reside at an overseas location with the military sponsor. With this authorization comes the benefit of having the government cover transportation to and from the duty station.
Commissary: Commissaries are supermarkets, usually located on military installations, that sell food, sundry and cleaning products for cost plus a 5 percent surcharge to active duty military, guard and reserve members, retirees and qualified family members.
CONUS: The 48 contiguous United States and District of Columbia (excludes Hawaii and Alaska
CPPSO: Consolidated Personal Property Shipping Office
DEERS - Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System: Active duty and retirees are enrolled in this program
Dependents / immediate family: An employee's spouse; children who are unmarried and under age 21 years or who, regardless of age, are physically or mentally incapable of self-support.
DITY - Do-It-Yourself move: A move in which the service member completes aspects of the move without government transportation assistance. There are different types of DITY moves that range from a partial DITY move, in which the government provides some assistance, to a complete DITY move, in which the service member completes every aspect of the move without government assistance. Financial reimbursement is given for DITY moves according to established military guidelines.
DLA - Dislocation allowance: DLA is provided to both single service members and those with dependents to assist in defraying some of the out-of-pocket, miscellaneous costs associated with moving. DLA is paid in a lump sum based on rank and dependency status.
DNRP - Defense National Relocation Program: Offer some relocation benefits to civilian employees: http://www.nab.usace.army.mil/dnrp.htm
DOD: Department of Defense
Force Protection Conditions (FPCON) ALPHA, BRAVO, CHARLIE and DELTA: A Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff approved program standardizing the Military Services' identification of and recommended responses to terrorist threats against US personnel and facilities.
FSA - Family Separation Allowance: If a service member is separated from his or her dependents for over thirty-one days, he or she may apply for this allowance. This allowance is given only if the dependents are prohibited from accompanying the service member to the duty station.
HHG - Household goods: Property, unless specifically excluded, associated with the home and all personal effects belonging to an employee and immediate family members on the effective date of the employee's change of official station orders that legally may be accepted and transported by a commercial HHG carrier. Examples of items included are professional books, papers, and equipment (PBP&E), spare parts of a POV, consumable goods where the Department of State has declared that they are necessary, vehicles other than POVs, and ultra light vehicles for recreation or sport. Not included are personal baggage when carried on a ticket, automobiles, trucks, vans, etc., live animals and other similar articles.
JPPSO: Joint Personal Property Shipping Office
Homeland Defense: The protection of United States sovereignty, territory, domestic population, and critical defense infrastructure against external threats and aggression or other threats as directed by the President.
Homeland Security: A concerted national effort to prevent terrorist attacks within the United States; reduce America's vulnerability to terrorism, major disasters, and other emergencies; and minimize the damage and recover from attacks, major disasters, and other emergencies that occur.
JAG - Judge Advocate General: The military judicial authority on an installation or one of the lawyers attached to that organization: a military lawyer.
MALT - Monetary Allowance in Lieu of Transportation: This is the amount paid for mileage when a service or family member drives to the new duty station. It is based on the Official Military Table of Distances.
MIHA - Move-In Housing Allowance: MIHA is designed to reimburse overseas costs associated with living in privately-owned or privately-leased quarters. It addresses three specific needs: one-time rent-related expenses, modification of homes for security protection, and the initial cost of making a home habitable. This is available outside of the continental United States (OCONUS) only. MIHA rates change with currency rates and location.
Military brat: Child of military member, also called a dependent.
Military Installation: An installation becomes a base, post, a station, or a camp, depending on the service and the size.
MWR: Morale, welfare and recreation. Military family members enjoy many base privileges, these include access to the commissary, Exchange and MWR.
NCO Club: Private club for Non-commissioned officers and their families, offering restaurant and party facilities. Monthly membership dues are charged.
NEX: Navy Exchange
NORAD - North American Aerospace Defense Command: A bi-national command of the US and Canada that provides aerospace surveillance, warning and assessment of aerospace attack, and maintains the sovereignty of US and Canadian airspace.
NTS - Non-Temporary Storage: Long-term storage. This is only authorized under specific circumstances, such as some overseas assignments or retirement.
OCONUS: Outside of the continental United States
O Club: Officer's Club. Private club for officers and their families, offering restaurant service and party facilities. Monthly membership dues are charged.
OHA - Overseas Housing Allowance: This allowance is given to offset the cost of housing for service members living off of the installation for an overseas duty assignment. Rates are determined by rank and dependency status. OHA rates have three components: rent, utilities/recurring maintenance allowance, and MIHA.
PCS - Permanent Change of Station: Term used for a military member in the process of being transferred to a new duty station.
Per Diem Allowance: An allowance paid daily instead of actual expenses for lodging, meals and related incidental expenses associated with orders.
PTDY - Permissive Temporary Duty: After receiving PCS orders, service members can be approved for up to ten days for a house hunting trip prior to the move. Although service members are not charged for these days of leave, they are not eligible for travel reimbursement during this time.
QTRS: Quarters (living area)
RAP - Relocation Assistance Program: RAP is designated to provide comprehensive services and support related to relocation.
Reserve Components: This encompasses military organizations and individuals of the National Guard and Armed Forces Reserve. Unlike their Active Duty counterparts, units and members of the Reserve Components are held in reserve until recalled to active duty in support of military operations. In peacetime, National Guard forces are under the command and control of the Governors of the states where their unit trains. They may be activated to respond to state contingencies, or nationalized to support national military operations.
Shoppette: A mini-AAFES or NEX, similar to a 7-Eleven
Space "A" Travel: A benefit available to service members, retirees, and their families. A service member can travel for a minimal fee on a DoD aircraft after official personnel and cargo for that aircraft are loaded. The "A" stands for available. Space "A" Travel is also known as "military hops."
Sponsorship Program: This is a mentoring program available within all military branches under the guidance of unit leadership and RAP. Through this program, a service member moving to a new duty station is assigned to a service member at their destination location who will provide direct personal assistance throughout the relocation process.
TDY - Temporary Duty: Travel assignment at a location other than the employee's permanent duty station, typically from two days to two months in length. A temporary duty assignment can be to any location 50 or 5,000 miles away, and some government agencies mandate they be less than six months in duration. Those agencies that do not mandate a six month limit consider longer durations to be a Permanent Change of Station (PCS).
TLA - Temporary lodging allowance: Financial compensation for lodging and meal expenses incurred when a service member and/or dependents are required to utilize temporary lodging OCONUS due to a PCS move.
TLE - Temporary lodging expenses: Financial compensation for lodging and meal expenses incurred when a service member and/or dependents are required to utilize temporary lodging in CONUS due to a PCS move.
TLF: Temporary living facility
TMO: Transportation Management Office
TO: Transportation Office
Troops: A collective term for uniformed military personnel (usually not applicable to naval personnel afloat).
VA: Veteran's Administration
VHA: Variable Housing Allowance
VOQ - Visiting Officer's Quarters: Housing provided at minimal cost for visiting officers, usually located near the Officer's Club.
"Languages vary from service to service" - Army does not speak Navy, Navy does not speak Air Force, Air Force does not speak Marine, and so on? (i.e. a restroom becomes a latrine in the Army and a head in the Navy). Each branch of service has its own customs and courtesies.
Living On Base - Military families often tend to prefer to live on military installations. They like the guarded (think gated) communities and living among peers. In the past the military forfeited their BAH to live on base, but with privatized military housing, this may have changed somewhat. Living on base is very convenient as well. You live near work, the commissary, the hospital and the child care center, to name a few conveniences. When it's time to PCS, you basically turn in your keys and move on.
Living Off Base - Others prefer to live off-base so they can get away from work and become more ingrained within the community. Military members can receive an allowance to live off-base (BAH and VHA) to put towards renting or purchasing a house: typical assignments are in the 2-4 year range, with most assignments averaging 3 years.