Take a Load Off
he DoD report, "Reengineering Permanent Duty Travel," finds that relocations involve "burdensome paperwork, confusing allowances and cumbersome procedures. Travelers [are] inconvenienced, waste valuable time . . . [and] frequently use their personal funds to initially cover relocation expenses." The report lays out a cornucopia of systems and services being considered that, if put in place, would make service members and Defense civilians very happy. Among them:
- Centralized program administration.
- One-stop shopping for all move-related services.
- Simplified entitlements with up-front, lump-sum payments.
- Traveler advocates to coordinate moves.
- Use of commercial relocation services.
- Allowing people to select their own carriers.
- Selecting contractors based on best value, including consideration of on-time pickup and delivery record, reduced claim rates and high customer-satisfaction ratings.
- Full replacement value for lost or damaged household goods.
- Increasing the reimbursement rate for do-it-yourself moves to 95 percent (from 80 percent).
- Earlier notification of moves and prompt processing of orders.
- No tax liability for permanent change of station payments.
- More equal treatment of active duty members and civilian DoD employees.
- Integration of transportation and household goods services with other relocation services, such as school registration and travel scheduling.
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