Annnd, go! You’ve received your official orders and have two weeks to pack everything up and move to Shreveport LA. But what needs to be done to make sure that packing and moving goes seamlessly? Who pays for the move? What should come with you and what is better to leave behind? In this post, we offer a number of resources that can help you answer these questions and get your loved ones safely from point A to your new Barksdale AFB housing rental.
PCS Move Do’s and Don’ts for What to Bring Along
As you already know, breakable items are difficult to transport. This includes kitchen items like glassware and dishes, framed photographs, electronics, expensive jewelry etc. If possible, try to minimize or not bring these things. Our fully furnished rentals include many essentials you need for life here in Shreveport. We have the kitchen dishware, pots & pans and glassware for meals as well as an HDTV with cable hookup for your enjoyment.Other Dont’s
- Liquids…so easy to spill, so messy to clean up. Save yourself the hassle and buy new laundry detergent, olive oil, soda pop and bathroom cleaning supplies when you arrive.
- Large items like a recliner, beds and dining table can be put in long-term storage when you rent with us.
Why bring them along when you don’t have to?! - If you have a personal preference, you can bring your own bedding and towels, but we have some in each condo if you prefer to leave these items behind.
Do Bring with You Items
- Your family, of course! Loved ones make a world of difference in making day-to-day life more pleasant. We have one-, two- and three-bedroom rentals available for use.
- Pets! You can bring a dog or cat to our pet-friendly rentals, which will instantly help to make a new place feel more like home.
- A notebook with all the contact information for friends from your last station. You’ll want to send them Christmas cards, do Zoom calls and generally stay connected even though far away.
- Any clothing items you’ll need.
- Make sure to bring a laptop / tablet and any smartphone devices with you!
- Shreveport has some public transportation, but a good vehicle makes daily life much less stressful. Make sure yours is in good running order and get a tuneup if necessary before you pack up.
Check out this super helpful moving checklist that you can customize for your needs.
What does the DoD pay for on a PCS move?
All of this can be very overwhelming, especially if you don’t know what you’re entitled to and what isn’t covered. The Military Installations website has a great list of services that are designed to help you and your family make a smooth PCS move. The phone number for Barksdale’s Relocation Assistance Program is listed on the site linked above and they are located at 801 Kenny Avenue, Ste 1400, Barksdale AFB, LA 71110-2426.
Some things you may want to consider tracking as you travel include:
- Writing down your mileage (or using an app to track mileage) when moving with a personal vehicle from your old station to the new base. You may be able to get reimbursed for your miles.
- Recording expenses you incur for hotel stays, meals etc.
Of course, if you have additional questions and want to research moving guidelines more yourself, check out the extensive FAQ guide on the Military One Source site. You’ll be able to learn about eligibility for using the Defense Personal Property System (DPS) to help your move, info on pet reservations for travel using Patriot Express and more.
The Defense Travel Management Office‘s website is another excellent resource for detailed information related to commercial travel as part of the Department of Defense infrastructure.
Another big factor in choosing the right rental is what your Barksdale AFB BAH (Basic Allowance for Housing) will cover. We discuss the BAH rates and more in another blog post.
Clean, Cost-Effective Barksdale AFB Housing? It’s a No-Brainer!
Temporary housing in Shreveport-Bossier City, Louisiana for your military assignment is simple when you rent from us! We boast reasonable rates and an awesome location that’s only a 5-minute drive from Barksdale Air Force Base. In addition, if you’re wanting a month-to-month rental, we have short term rentals ideal for frequent military moves.
Our clean, comfortable housing will make your stay in northeast Louisiana a great experience. We offer a well-maintained property with laundry facilities (in each condo) that will feel more like a “home away from home” versus a hotel or on-base Barksdale family housing.
Local ownership with responsive management makes choosing Shreveport Bossier Corporate Housing an easy choice. Just like the job you have, details matter!
Want to stay in great off-base Barksdale AFB housing? Simply give Debi a call at 318-548-6156 or reach us via our Contact form to ask about current availability. We look forward to hearing from you!