Service members and their families know PCS moves can be unpredictable. Furniture arrives damaged, boxes get mislabeled, claims take months, and families often struggle to identify who is responsible. These challenges are not new, but now the Pentagon is reorganizing how PCS moves are managed to improve reliability and reduce stress across the force.

On January 23, 2026, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced the creation of a new Personal Property Activity, describing it as a permanent Department of War special activity that will take over responsibility for household goods moves. The special activity will stand up by May 1, 2026, and will be headquartered at Scott Air Force Base, commanded by Maj. Gen. Lance G. Curtis, reporting directly to the Secretary of Defense.

Hegseth said the decision follows a year of evaluating PCS processes during peak moving season and responding to concerns from military families.

PCS Pain Points: What Families Experience Today

Hegseth opened his announcement by describing how PCS issues affect real households. He cited examples shared by families, including damaged and mishandled items.

"A cabinet with its mirrors smashed, a dresser missing a leg, how about a treasured German-made clock shattered into pieces, a sofa that appeared as if it was dragged down the street, or a used toilet brush tucked in with the family's clothes," Hegseth listed as examples of how cherished family belongings were damaged as a result of PCS moves.

These Are the Changes Under the New Personal Property Activity

Below are some of the changes that are expected to occur under the new PPA.

• Permanent agency with direct Secretary of Defense reporting
• Centralized oversight of household goods and POV shipments
• Commander appointed (Maj. Gen. Lance G. Curtis) in charge
• Stand-up date of May 1, 2026, at Scott AFB
• Standards for timeliness and professionalism
• Mission tied to readiness and family support for full administrative support

How the Personal Property Activity Will Operate

Hegseth explained that the Department of War established a task force during last year’s PCS cycle to analyze root causes and pinpoint gaps.

“We established a task force to assess the problems of the Permanent Change of Station, or PCS moves. We listened to the concerns of our warriors. I fired the head of the failing program. All through the peak moving season and even through the government shutdown, our task force was, thankfully, a success," said Hegseth.

Based on that assessment, the Pentagon is moving from a temporary task force to a permanent organizational structure. The task force will transition into a War Department special activity called the Personal Property Activity.

“It will be a permanent solution for all service members who move," said Hegseth. Its mission is to guarantee high-quality, reliable and efficient household goods and vehicle shipment services to more than 300,000 warfighters worldwide who move somewhere every new year."

Command and Reporting Chain

Hegseth appointed Maj. Gen. Lance G. Curtis to lead the new Personal Property Activity.

“Major General Lance G. Curtis will be its first commander. In fact, he was the man we called to put in charge of this, that fixed it, and he’s going to continue," said Hegseth.

Curtis will report directly to the Secretary of Defense.

The New Mission and Standards

Hegseth described the mission as including managing household goods, vehicles, and storage, as well as resolving issues.

“Its mission is to guarantee high-quality, reliable, and efficient household goods and vehicle shipment services to the more than 300,000 warfighters worldwide who move somewhere every new year.”

Additionally, timeliness and professionalism were emphasized:

“Baggage and other household effects need to arrive on time, and they will,” said Hegseth.

Timeline and Implementation

Key milestones include:

• January 2026: Announcement and designation
• May 1, 2026: Activity stands up at Scott AFB
• Summer 2026–2027: First effects during peak PCS seasons

PCS operations use commercial carriers, ports, customs rules, and overseas agreements. Due to this complexity, families will first see improvements in communication and accountability, while broader systemwide effects will develop over multiple PCS cycles.

NDAA Support and Family Readiness

Hegseth linked the changes to the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026. President Trump signed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2026 in December, providing relocation resources for military families.

He added:

“So we’re funding this to make it happen.”

Resources provide information about school enrollment, spouse employment, and family support during moves.

“They’ll get information about local school enrollment for their children and employment for other family members, support that makes it easier when you’re moving to a new location,” said Hegseth.

Is This the Fix for PCS or the Start of One?

The announcement frames the Personal Property Activity as a repair to PCS oversight. Hegseth said:

“Last year, as we were heading into peak moving season, I pledged to fix this mess.”

He added:

“Our warriors deserve the best, and that’s what this reform will deliver.”

The change addresses a structural issue that has complicated PCS oversight for decades: no single office owned the outcome. The Personal Property Activity creates a permanent organization with a defined commander, direct reporting authority, and a mission tied to readiness and family support.

Operational components of PCS, including commercial capacity, overseas rules, claims processing, and contracting, will shape how quickly families feel these changes during the 2026 and 2027 PCS seasons.

For service members, Guard and Reserve families, and DoD civilians who relocate under PCS orders, observers will closely monitor the Department of Defense as the new activity coordinates with commercial carriers, overseas customs offices, and installation-level support offices.

PCS Reform FAQs

What just changed?

The Department of Defense created a new Personal Property Activity to permanently oversee PCS moves.

Who runs it?

Maj. Gen. Lance G. Curtis will serve as the first commander.

Who does it report to?

The Personal Property Activity reports directly to the Secretary of Defense.

When does it start?

The agency stands up on May 1, 2026, at Scott Air Force Base.

Why was this created?

To address damage, delays, claims issues, and fragmented accountability across PCS moves.

Will this affect families overseas?

Yes, but the timeline depends on coordination with customs and host-nation rules.

Will claims and reimbursements change?

Handling failures will shift from denial to correction, but the details of the claims process have not yet been finalized.

What support is included for families?

NDAA FY2026 adds school enrollment information, spouse employment support, and relocation resources.

Suggested reads:

• Why PCS Season Strains Military Family Finances, Even With BAH and Reimbursements
• The PCS Pay Cut No One Warned You About
• PCS Moves & Family Timing: How Advanced, Delayed, and Early Dependent Travel Works