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.