DOD seeks to reduce the costs of moving military families

The Defense Department, which spends about $5 billion annually moving U.S. troops and their families between various military assignments around the world, is looking to cut those costs in the coming years by keeping people in place for longer periods.

“As we look across the Department for efficiencies, the Military Departments must determine which PCS moves are most critical to support operational requirements and key professional development,” according to a new memo from Jules Hurst, who is performing the duties of under secretary of defense for personnel and readiness.

“Lower-priority PCS moves should be reduced for Service members and their families seeking greater geographic stability,” Hurst continued.

The memo directs the department to develop a strategy to reduce “discretionary” permanent change of station travel budgets by 10% by fiscal year 2027, 30% by FY-28, 40% by FY-29 and 50% by FY-30.

The memo notes that the frequency of PCS moves, while they can support mission requirements, can often reduce the quality of life for servicemembers and their families, “harm spousal employment and disrupt functional communities, unit cohesion and long-term talent management.”

The cuts to discretionary PCS travel come amid a broader DOD effort -- in coordination with the “Department of Government Efficiency” -- to cut costs.

The department has targeted a reduction of 5% to 8% of the total civilian workforce and is also working to “rebalance and optimize” its organizational structure.