PPM Decision Engine

Per JTR par. 051502, a service member with an authorized PCS has three ways to move household goods: (1) a government-procured HHG shipment through a contracted mover; (2) a Personally Procured Move (PPM) where the member arranges transport personally and is reimbursed at the Government's Constructed Cost (GCC) for the actual weight moved; or (3) a Split Shipment under JTR par. 051503, in which a portion is moved by the government and a portion as PPM (commonly called a "partial PPM").

All three options are limited to the member's authorized PCS weight allowance in JTR Table 5-37. In a split shipment, combined weight of all shipments (government HHG + PPM + NTS) cannot exceed the total authorized weight allowance, and the government's cost is limited to what it would cost to ship the maximum weight in one lot.

Per JTR par. 051502-E-1a, the domestic GCC is built from the "Best Value" transportation price and includes: line haul, packing and unpacking; line haul factor charges at origin and destination; and short-haul charges for shipments moving 800 or fewer miles. Accessorial charges (extra pickup or delivery, SIT) may be included only when they would have been authorized on a government-arranged move and all applicable tariff approval rules are met (JTR par. 051502-E-1c).

For international shipments (Hawaii, U.S. territories, OCONUS), GCC is built from the "Best Value" Surface Single Factor Rate under JTR par. 051502-E-1b and DTR Part IV Chapter 403. Current reimbursement is 100% of GCC; the temporary 130% rate under MAP 42-25(R) applied only to moves between May 15 and September 30, 2025.

Per JTR par. 051306, the government pays the GCC only up to the authorized weight allowance. If actual net weight exceeds the allowance, PPM reimbursement is calculated on the authorized maximum weight — excess weight receives zero reimbursement. For government-procured shipments, the cost of excess net weight is prorated (JTR Table 5-36) and the government collects the excess cost from the Service member.

JTR Table 5-37 sets the administrative weight allowance by pay grade and dependency status; pro-gear (PBP&E) allowances under JTR par. 051304 are separate from and in addition to the base HHG weight allowance.

Per JTR par. 051402-F-1, Table 5-38 applies only when both members PCS to a location with an administratively restricted weight allowance (certain OCONUS PDSs — see JTR par. 051402-A). At such locations, a couple jointly residing at the same or nearby current PDS whose new orders are both to the same or nearby PDSs where they will again jointly reside is limited to one administrative weight allowance based on the higher-ranking member (Table 5-38, Row 1); if the new orders are to different PDSs with separate residences, or the couple currently occupies separate residences, each member is individually authorized an administrative weight allowance (Rows 2 and 3). For moves to locations without an administrative weight restriction — typical CONUS moves — each member keeps their own Table 5-37 allowance.

Both members are individually authorized unaccompanied baggage, PBP&E (2,000 lbs each), required medical equipment, and gun safes (Table 5-38, Row 4). When married to another service member and each has a PCS order between PDSs where they are maintaining or will maintain joint residences within commuting distance, the Table 5-37 weight allowances may be combined for HHG transportation and NTS under par. 051402-F-2.

Per JTR par. 051502-A, when a service member elects PPM, the member (or next of kin) is responsible for all issues and costs related to the move. The government's Full Replacement Value protection that applies to government-procured moves does NOT apply to PPM; the Personnel Claims Act generally does not cover PPM losses.

Exceptions may be considered when damage is clearly beyond the member's control — documented natural disasters or vehicle accidents where the member was not at fault. Rental truck insurance (collision damage waivers, supplemental liability) is NOT a reimbursable PPM expense, but private insurance coverage is recommended because personal auto policies often do not extend to large rental trucks.