A small change to DoD’s travel rules could make a big difference for servicemembers and their families as they approach the end of a military career.

Servicemembers now have up to three years to begin their move to a home of selection (HOS) – a location anywhere in the U.S. (including Alaska and Hawaii) or to a home of record outside the U.S. This change to the Joint Travel Regulations took effect in July; previous regulations required moves to begin within a year of separation, and earlier rules required the move to be completed within that year for the costs to be covered by DoD.

“A person could have served for 20 or 30 years, and it can be difficult to transition into civilian life because you have a loss of comradery and a loss of routine,” Chief Petty Officer Brittney C. Gatewood, a Coast Guard transportation official, said in a news release announcing the regulation update. “This new [household goods] change provides more time for members to ease into retirement and find their forever home.”

[MOAA's TRANSITION AND CAREER CENTER: MOAA.org/Careers]

Extensions to the three-year window may be available to servicemembers for medical reasons, or for those enrolled in training or education programs connected to civilian employment. Further details are available in the regulation or via your installation’s transportation office.

Choosing Your Destination

Not all servicemembers have an HOS in mind as they near the end of their time in uniform. If you’re considering where to begin your life after service, consider these MOAA resources:

• MOAA’s Military State Report Card and Tax Guide offers detailed information that may impact your bottom line.
  
  
• Have an idea of where you’d like to live, but unsure how to stay connected with fellow retirees and servicemembers? Consider reaching out to a MOAA chapter. Many chapters have programs designed to help you network within the local business community; check out this webinar recording to learn more.
  
  
• MOAA’s Job Board, powered by Indeed, offers access to nationwide employment opportunities, with a focus on veteran hiring. As of Sept. 12, the board had more than 161,000 positions listed, from a few hundred in Rhode Island to nearly 10,000 in California.
  
  
• MOAA Premium and Life members can take advantage of a one-on-one career consultation session, which may help narrow your focus as you consider your next step – both professionally and geographically. Learn more about that process at this link.