Summer Season Change Expected for Military Moves

Summer Season Change Expected for Military Moves

It is difficult to predict the amount of movement in the military that will occur each year. Typically in the summer, there is a high volume of movement, but this could be greater with the recent changes implemented in the Department of Defense.

This is the first year that the SDDC, Surface Deployment and Distribution Command, has decided not to allow refusals during the busy summer period. The TPS, Transportation Service Providers, have just two options:

  • To accept the assignment, or
  • To use a blackout option.  This is built into the Defense Personal Property System that is responsible for awarding the work to different contractors. However, this system only works for the assignments that originate in America. Any international requests for movement, this option is not available.

The idea is to use a code 2 option with booking the transportation.  Unfortunately, this restricts the transportation.  Traditionally, when a code 2 is used, this gives the removal business more options on the transportation of goods that benefits both the customer and the moving business. The businesses are able to containerize shipments using code d.  This is not an option on code 2.

This brings to the forefront the problems, which could develop as the year progresses.  There is no current information that is going to predict the results of this summer’s performance and the hope for success. However, the increase in the blackouts is a worrying statistic as to the potential of the DoD winning this battle this peak summer season.

The problems that might arise are with individuals who need to relocate because of their military position. If this idea of no refusals continues and the only option for moving businesses is to use the blackout option, there might come a point where the DoD has to back down on their decision and this could mean a hasty decision being made.

The busy summer season is interesting to follow this year and we wait to see the actual results of this change by the DoD and if it works.