PCS refers to a permanent change of station, which means leaving one duty station for another. You’ll receive orders from your command to move to another installation, usually because your skills are needed at another base. Many Airmen will change their duty stations a few times throughout their career, while others may only change duty stations once and end up at that same place for the remainder of their contract.

Changing duty stations can be stressful, whether you do it once or multiple times. You and your family will need to move and adjust to life in a new environment. In this blog, we’ll explain more about the challenges of PCSing and provide tips for adjusting to life after your arrive at your duty station.

Why Can a PCS Be So Stressful?

While it’s not always the case, moving in the civilian world is often by choice and you get to decide where you want to go. But when you’re in the Air Force, the decision isn’t your own and you may even have to move with short notice. Moving takes you away from the home you’ve built for the last few years, family members, friends, and more. Your spouse and children will also need to leave things behind so they can move with you, whether you’re moving states or headed overseas.

Moving in general can also bring about a lot of stress. You will need to arrange for housing at your new duty station, whether you choose to live on or off base. You will need to pack your belongings, arrange transportation, collect important documents, find education for your children, and plenty more. The Air Force offers some assistance to help Airmen and their families with their move, but you will need to practice plenty of patience and put enough effort into organizing your move to help you and your family adjust.

Tips for Adjusting to Your Air Force PCS

PCSing in the Air Force can be a stressful experience, especially if you’ve never PCS’d before, but it doesn’t have to be that way. There are methods you can use and steps you can take to make it easier to adjust to your new life at your next duty station. Below are a few of the best tips we’ve compiled to help you adjust to life at your new Air Force base.

1. Engage With and Explore Your New Community

One of the best ways to make it easier to adjust to life after PCSing is to engage with and explore your new home. In the beginning, your new installation and surrounding area might feel foreign, strange, and unfamiliar. As time passes, you will become more familiar and comfortable in your new surroundings and will start to see it as a home.

Once you get to your new duty station, start looking for restaurants, parks, entertainment venues, and other fun things you can do with your family. As you start developing positive memories with your loved ones, it will be easier to start enjoying your new duty station. You can even find different attractions and events through your installation’s Information, Tickets, and Tours (ITT) Office to plan outings with your family.

2. Get Involved Locally

Getting directly involved with your local community can make it easier to adjust to life at your new duty station. You can join teams and groups or participate in local activities, which will give you the opportunity to explore and meet new people who share similar interests with you. Some different groups or teams you can get involved with include:

●Sports teams

●Church groups

●Hobby groups

●Book clubs

●Local gyms

You can also encourage your family to get involved with some of these groups or teams so they feel more connected to their new home. If your children were involved in activities at your old duty station, you could encourage them to join the same activity or teams when you get to your new installation to help them feel a sense of normalcy while giving them a chance to make new friends. The sooner you and your family can develop a sense of community, the easier it will be to adjust to life after PCSing.

3. Remember to Be Patient

Moving is hard, and it will take some time to adjust. Practice patience with yourself and your loved ones since adjusting won’t happen overnight. You and your family may have gotten used to where you lived, and it can be hard to adapt to a new place. It’s normal to miss your old home and the friends and coworkers you had to leave behind.

Over time, you will meet new friends, develop a new routine, and adjust to your new environment, and your family will do the same. Don’t force or rush your transition as it can make it more difficult than necessary. Instead, remain open-minded and trust that you and your family will start to feel like a part of your new community over time.

4. Take Steps to Manage Your Stress

Adjusting to a new home and duty station can be stressful, even if you’re taking all the right steps. You can learn different ways to manage your stress so it doesn’t spiral out of control and start affecting other parts of your life. There are different ways you can deal with the stress of moving to a new duty station and home, which include:

●Spending time with loved ones

●Engaging in enjoyable hobbies or activities

●Maintaining a positive mindset

●Talking to your support system

●Practicing self-care

●Finding support in your new community

●Talking with a professional

5. Make Connections With Other Air Force Families

There are plenty of other Air Force families at your new duty station, and most if not all of these families understand what it’s like to PCS somewhere unfamiliar and different. You can connect with these families or reach out on social media sites to ask questions and seek out tips to help you and your family adjust to your new duty station. The connections you make can turn into lifelong friendships, and making friends at your new duty station allows you to create a support network that’s close by if you ever need help.

6. Help Your Loved Ones Adjust

Your family will likely also deal with some of the stress and difficulties you do as they prepare to move. You can make it easier for your family by taking the initiative to help them overcome their challenges with moving to a new, unfamiliar place.

Different ways you can help your family adjust to their new home and life are to help them find different activities to participate in, spend one-on-one time with them, and help them engage with their local community. As you learn to manage your stress, you can also help your loved ones manage their own stress. You can even leverage Air Force resources to find counseling for your spouse or children if the move proves to be particularly stressful.

Fulfill Your Uniform Needs at American Uniform Sales

No matter where your next PCS takes you, American Uniform Sales has you covered. We offer AFI-compliant uniforms so you can show up to work looking your best while staying in strict Air Force regulations. We also offer rank and insignia, footwear, and even gear to assist you in your operations. Whether you need a brand-new uniform or you just need to replace worn-down components, AUSI has what you need. Get started by browsing our complete selection, or get in touch with us today with your questions.