Super PCS

So, here we are, on the midst of our 10th PCS move. TENTH! Sometimes I am dumbfounded at that number, and that’s not even really that much, compared to some military communities! But right now, as it is happening, it feels like THE WORLD on my shoulders.

In Japan, we experienced typhoons (much like hurricanes on the US east coast). Most were just mostly a “flail-ex” (flail exercise, in Navy lingo, lots of effort prepping for the event, but with no major impact or consequence). But then there was the “Super Typhoon”. Frankly, it was’t much worse than the previous regular typhoons, but the terms that defined it earned it the title of “Super Typhoon.”

This PCS (Permanent Change of Station….a military move from one duty station to the next) is now dubbed a….

Super PCS

Here’s why…each reason is individually challenging, but can be overcome fairly easily, but combined all into ONE move, is a whole other story. It feels like I’m being buried:

1-It’s OCONUS-meaning we are moving from a Continental US (CONUS) location, to an Outside Continental US (OCONUS) location…much more stress…..three pack-outs, versus one. One is household goods (HHG-all the stuff you need for everyday life-beds, couches, dining room tables, dishes, etc.). One is NTS-Non-Temporary Storage…stuff that won’t fit in your overseas non-American sized house and will go into storage the you will not see of 2-3 years. And the final is Unaccompanied Baggage (UAB-the last minute “must haves” that you absolutely require such as a place setting of dishes for each person, towels, linens, your air mattress, etc.).

2-I am preparing to let my first baby bird fly the nest..and that is emotional for any parent. But my situation is confounded by the fact that the aforementioned 3 pack-outs, also has a 4th fourth element of figuring out what items this child…ahem, new young adult… will need to take to college (in the US, not OCONUS with the rest of us!). It is literally like a fourth pack-out.

3-This aforementioned first little bird to leave the nest JUST turned 18 yesterday! I have now successfully raised one gown ass adult. WTF?!? Yeah me!! Yeah her!! But wait, how can I let her go?! How can I release her into the big scary world? How will she make her own doctor’s appointments, get her own medication refills, order her own groceries, etc?!? I know, Jerri, success as a parent is highlighted in the joy of setting them free, pushing them out of the nest and into the world as amazing, prepared, capable, responsible adults!! ! I know, girl, I HEAR YOU as I type this!! But it’s my first! It is SCARY and there are some very real FEELS attached to it.

4-This is the duty station where we’ve spent the longest continuous time at one stretch. We’ve established great relationships. We’ve become enmeshed in the community. We are CONNECTED. And as I observe and ponder these connections, I am becoming more and more emotional about leaving them.

5-I was forced to leave a job I REALLY loved. It was a major step up for me in my career, which has very much taken a back seat to my spouse’s career FOR. YEARS. It has suffered, floundered, and been neglected. And here, it soared back to new glorious heights! I developed new skills. I forged new relationships. I learned new habits. And now once again, I am stuck home arranging appointments for packers to arrived who do not comply with my planned schedule, I am planning play dates so that my very young elementary aged kiddos can have the last few opportunities to see their friends, I’m still meeting the very basic needs of running a household that no longer challenges, fulfills, or excites me. 

This all kinda sucks.

So, in efforts to make my blog somehow useful to others, let’s embark upon some “best practices” for this major life event….as I sit here in a boney old camping chair, in my undecorated, empty house, listening to the crickets, bullfrogs, and other critters of the night, I offer these gems:

1-Set your OCD FREE and nurture it through this process-prepack your favorite items in gallon sized ziplock bags (you will thank me later after you have prevented the packers from dumping drawers full of precious items into a stack of paper and folding it up, plopping it into a box, ESPECIALLY LEGOS…you’re welcome), layer your linens with dryer sheets so that when you unpack them in 3 months they might still smell like something other than a musty animal pelt, tape the hardware of items to the item itself instead of the legendary “hardware box”, gather all your “like” things together regardless of their room of origin…I put all my candles in one area together, all my crafts, all my books, all my knitting or other craft items, whatever…organize til your heart’s content! I am telling you, if you work harder on this end to make it easier on the other end, that, my friend, is a WIN.

2-Logistics. Do all the icky logistical stuff….stop your newspaper, schedule the end of your utilities/internet/cable/gym memberships/clubs, hold/forward your mail. Cancel useless subscriptions. Discontinue memberships that are geographically focused. Get kids’ school physicals, dental /medical records. The list truly will seem endless, but it is so much easier to do now, than later, especially if you will be 14 time zones away!

3-Absorb all that you love about where you are NOW, before the move. Take it all in. Your favorite restaurants. Your favorite beach. Your favorite coffee shop. Your favorite library or book store for a quiet moment.

4-Socialize as much as your insanely packed schedule will allow! You NEED this time with your people (especially you, my fellow extroverts!)! Have your final book club, Sunday brunch, or girls’ night in with charcuterie, wine, and Bridgerton. HAVE IT. Savor it. Fill your cup!

This is a HARD time. Give yourself grace. (And remind me to do the same when I fail at this piece of advice…LOL!) You, as a military spouse, are trained and specially adapted to do this! You are strong, smart, resilient, capable, and adaptable. You GOT this! 

Cheers & love, 

Christine