Amid military moving mess, defense chief cuts down on relocations
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - The U.S. secretary of defense is asking the military to reduce family relocations in an effort to cut spending and improve the quality of life of those affected.
This comes amid a monthslong 12 On Your Side Investigation that has exposed a pattern of problems with a new program to move our service and their families.
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Two U.S. senators got involved and launched an official inquiry, asking the commander of the U.S. Transportation Command to look into those problems.
Last week, we told you the U.S. Transportation Command relieved Robert “Andy” Dawson of his duties as the director of the Defense Personal Property Management Office.
It was his job to oversee the hundreds of thousands of military families that move each year.
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Since then, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has gotten involved, directing the Transportation Command to make some immediate changes to what he calls “deficiencies.”
In a letter dated May 22, Hegseth’s office says the department spends about $5 billion a year moving military personnel and their families between assignments.
These are called “permanent change of station” – or PCS – moves.
“While these permanent change of station moves mission requirements, the frequency can reduce quality of life for service and their families, harm spousal employment, and disrupt functional communities, unit cohesion, and long-term talent management,” the letter reads.
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The department says the military services must now determine which moves are more critical to operational requirements and reduce the amount of lower-priority moves.
“The military departments should provide implementation plans for this reduction, identify potential risks and recommend mitigation strategies,” according to the letter.
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About 260,000 to 280,000 service participate in a PCS move each year, according to the department.
“By reducing the frequency of PCS moves, the department seeks to enhance its ability to deliver on mission, while generating efficiencies, optimizing resources against its core functions, and offering greater geographic stability to service , military families, and military-connected communities,” the letter states.
The military services have up to 120 days from May 22 to submit their implementation plans.
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