Did you know that, on average, military families move at least once every three years? If you are one of those families, and you or your spouse was recently asked to make a DITY move, you may be feeling a little stressed out. Not to worry, it happens to everyone, even civilians.

The important thing is to try to feel less stressed, as military moving is pretty much inevitable at some point. You can reduce your stress by planning wisely and thoroughly.

Some things to keep in mind

• Relocation Assistance Program. Your duty relocation has a military family center where you can use their Relocation Assistance Program to get more information about moving.
• The Government Is Not Liable. If something gets lost or damaged during your move, that is considered negligence on the part of the person who packed, AKA your family, or the moving company itself. For this reason, the government cannot be held liable for any losses or damages. So be sure to pack well and use proper tools, like packing tape, sturdy boxes and bubble wrap. You can easily make sure you pack right by finding or creating a DITY move checklist.
• You Only Have 45 Days to Submit Your DITY Claim. Once you have relocated, you have 45 days to turn in your claim for full payment of your DITY allowance. Be sure to mark the date on your calendar, set a reminder in your phone or submit the forms right away. You do not want to miss the opportunity to collect your compensation for your military move.

Military moving can be a big project, but with a few simple steps, including making a military moving checklist, you can make your DITY move as stress free as possible.