Camp Pendleton TMO, the office responsible for advising military members on personal property moves, began implementing the Defense Personal Property System, Feb. 26.

The Department of Defense created the system with a focus on improving the quality of life of service members, civilian employees and their families during their moves, according to the Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command.

“The new system simplifies the personal property move process by allowing members to schedule their move online 24 hours a day, seven days a week,” said Master Gunnery Sgt. Cortez Hall, traffic chief, TMO, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton. “The DPS system provides instructions on entitlements and the forms required to perform a (move) as presented at the TMO classes,” he added.

At www.move.mil, service members can set up an account, view moving information, submit a personal property move application and more.

The program is still in its early stages at Camp Pendleton and improvements are still being made.

“Currently, only permanent change of station moves can be submitted on the Web site,” said June Muller, personal property officer, TMO. Military members retiring, separating, performing “Do It Yourself” or local moves are still required to go through TMO, Muller said.

After counselors review the online applications for accuracy and completion, the move is awarded to a company. “Customers should take time to read the online instructions to ensure a clear understanding of their entitlements,” Muller said.

“It’s important to read everything,” Hall added.

After a customer submits a move request, a moving company will contact the customer directly, which is a change from the previous system. The new system also allows customers full visibility of the move process, including changing move dates directly with their moving company instead of with TMO.

The DoD stresses the importance of the Customer Satisfaction Survey, which is used to rate the services provided by civilian moving companies.

“Moving companies offering poor service will not be awarded more moves by DPS,” Muller said.

Hall added, “The survey is important to ensure the Marines are receiving quality moving services by the moving companies, and we want the best companies helping our customers.”

For assistance concerning DPS, call TMO at (760) 725-8848 or 725-8644.

Additional information about the Defense Personal Property Program can be found at www.cpp.usmc.mil/scout/tmo/index.asp or www.sddc.army.mil/public/personal%20property.