Shutdown Impact Series: PCS Disruptions Leave Military Families in Limbo
As the government shutdown continues, many military families are facing a quiet crisis: stalled Permanent Change of Station (PCS) moves.
During the shutdown, the PCS process has been disrupted as the Pentagon prioritizes only essential activities. For many families, that has meant delays in travel, shipments, and securing housing arrangements.
One veteran and military spouse told NMFA that her family, currently in the middle of a move, hasn’t been able to schedule their household goods pickup because the shutdown has put their PCS orders on hold. Before the shutdown began, they had already signed a lease at their next duty station, carefully planning their move around official orders that are now in limbo.
“We’ve already made deposits for our new residence,” she explained, “but we have no idea when that move-in date will come.” With one home leased and another still occupied, her family is now “faced with the possibility of having to make rent on two different residences.”
Stories like this are unfolding across the force. When PCS timelines stall, families face financial strain from dual rent payments, storage issues, and disruptions to school and employment plans. “There has been zero communication from any agencies as to how we should move forward or how they are going to help lessen the burden they have put on us,” she added.
While much of the public conversation has focused on ensuring pay for active-duty members, the shutdown continues to create serious hardships for families caught mid-move. “There’s a lot of talk on social media about how troops were able to get paid,” she noted, “but we are not considering the fact that there are people in the middle of a PCS who are being impacted financially all the same.”
As the shutdown drags on, uncertainty continues to define daily life for military families dealing with a PCS move. NMFA will continue to shine a light on the stories of those impacted until stability and support are restored. Experiences like this one serve as a reminder that the government shutdown’s impact extends far beyond paychecks, affecting every corner of military family life.
By: Olivia Brinsfield, Content Manager
