PCS on track

Permanent change of station order-writing has been funded through the end of the fiscal year, which should give active duty Navy families more lead time to plan for moves. Official U.s. Navy file photo

MILLINGTON, Tenn. (NNS) — Navy Personnel Command (NPC) leaders said permanent change-of-station (PCS) order-writing is efficiently operating.

“We are fully-funded for PCS through the end of the fiscal year (FY) 11,” said Capt. Mary Lewellyn, Navy distribution management director. “Our current allocation of $667.5 million will fund a little more than 71,000 orders.”

Just a few months earlier a shortfall in PCS funding was felt Fleet-wide. While Congress wanted to pass a defense appropriation bill, insufficient manpower funding resulted in decreased lead time for sailors receiving PCS orders. The average lead time between Sailors receiving orders and transferring was two months or less.

“The current lead times have improved significantly and are approaching the NPC goal of sailors getting their orders four-to-six months prior to their rotation dates, said Lewellyn.

“We expect to meet our goal by the end of the FY in getting most Sailors four months lead time, and sailors moving to and from overseas assignments six months lead time. This level of funding moves us closer to calling the PCS obligation policy change (POPC) complete,” said Lewellyn.

POPC, outlined in NAVADMIN 191/07 and directed by the Department of Defense, affected the way PCS orders are funded. The services now must obligate all PCS costs when orders are issued, versus when orders are executed.

“Think of this policy change as the difference between a credit card and a debit card,” said Rear Adm. Donald Quinn, deputy chief of Navy personnel. “Prior to 2009, PCS orders were written as if on a credit card. The Navy would pay the bill once the service member executed the move. Today, orders are written as if on a debit card. Once the orders are released, the Navy is charged.”

“The policy changed three years ago, but now the focus is about regaining lead time,” said Bowers.

“The reason we’ve done so well this year, following the continuing resolution, is because we’ve ‘bought ahead,’” said Cmdr. Kendra Bowers, deputy director Navy distribution management.

According to Bowers, NPC writes approximately 70,000 PCS orders annually. The ‘buy ahead’ funds approximately 17,000 more orders.

“We have funding and we are releasing orders,” said Bowers. “If sailors do not have orders in-hand and they are within 30 to 60 days of their transfer date, they need to call the NPC customer service center or have their chain of command call.”

Sailors with PCS questions can call 1-866-U-ASK-NPC; email at CSCMailbox@navy.mil or us the self-help NPC Knowledge Base webpage.