If there’s one thing most military families know well, it’s moving. While regular relocations can be exciting and come with many opportunities, they also come with several challenges. Whether you’re the military member in your family or you’re supporting someone who is, if you can simplify the process for your military move, why wouldn’t you?
This is where storage containers enter the picture. You might have seen them sitting in front of a house or elsewhere, but didn’t think twice about them being used for a military move. The fact is, thousands of military members use storage containers for relocations every year.
Let’s discuss the benefits of using storage containers for military moves, what the process looks like and how to find the best container for yours.
The Benefits of Storage Containers for Military Moves
The military is known for its strict guidelines, procedures and policies for its members and moving is no exception. You can feel helpless at times when it comes to the process, but using a storage container for your military move gives you more control over it. Here are some of the advantages of using a storage container for your military move:
- Control: You decide when you want to move, instead of having to call around and find a mover who can accommodate you in the schedule (and usually with little notice). Load your container at your convenience, with the only time constraint being the ones in your PPM parameters. You can also have the container delivered to your new home or stored in a storage facility until it’s needed again.
- Convenience: Say goodbye to unnecessary driving and wasted time. Storage containers are more convenient than traditional moving vans in many ways and give you the flexibility you need if any changes in orders or complications pop up.
- Safety: you won’t be confused about where your belongings are in the moving process and they’ll be kept safe the entire time. With SAM (Store & Move), for example, our containers are weather resistant and feature galvanized steel framing and multiple security lock options to keep your items safe and protected.
- Peace of mind: traditional moving trucks may require that you load and unload in the span of a few hours, but you can take as long as you want with a container. But what about driving? That’s something you don’t need to worry about with a container, either, as we handle relocating it. Just focus on your belongings, your family and your timeline.
- Support: as a locally owned and operated storage container company in North Texas, SAM cares about our community and the service members who protect it. Our customer service team will go above and beyond to ensure you’re satisfied, just like you go above and beyond to serve our country.
The Process for Storage Container Military Moves
So, how do military moves work when a storage container is involved? There aren’t many additional steps beyond a standard moving truck or non-military container move. Here’s the process for storage container military moves:
- Request Quote and PPM: unless you’re new to military moves, you’re probably already familiar with the Personally Procured Move (PPM) call you need to make to your Personal Property Office. This is where they give you an advance on money for the cost of your move. If you’ve called a storage container company like SAM ahead of time, you’ll already have a quote and estimate you can give them.
- Arrange Container Delivery: give SAM a call at 972-GET-A-SAM (or call whatever container company you choose) and choose the delivery location and day for your move. If you’re moving from an off-base location, make sure you have proper permits or permissions for keeping the container on site.
- Load the Container: move your belongings into the container on your timeline.
- Arrange Container Transport: you’ll have to decide whether to move the container to your new residence immediately, or have it stored in a secure storage facility for a time. Either way, you can call to have the container picked up again once you’re done with loading.
- Unload the Container: once it reaches your new location and you’re ready, you can unload the container on your timeline as well. You can either empty the container and be done with it, or keep certain belongings stored long-term in a facility for as long as you need.
Container Restrictions for Military Moves
Make sure you follow guidelines given to you by your military branch for what you can and can’t move, but also be sure you’re not transporting anything that isn’t allowed in a container. Examples include:
- Animals and plants
- Perishable food and produce
- Gasoline, batteries and lighter fluid
- Firearms and ammunition
- Paints and many chemicals
If you’re planning a military move (or know someone who is), contact SAM (Store & Move) today to get a no-obligation quote. We’d love to help reduce the stress of your military move and provide a seamless experience for you and your family.