PERSONNEL AND
READINESS
OFFICE OF THE UNDER SECRETARY OF DEFENSE
4000 DEFENSE PENTAGON
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20301-4000
MAY
2 2
2025
MEMORANDUM FOR SECRETARIES OF THE MILITARY DEPARTMENTS
SUBJECT: Permanent Change
of
Station Targeted Reductions Review and Personnel Policy
Changes
The Department currently spends approximately
$5
billion annually moving military
personnel and their families between assignments. While these permanent change
of
station
(PCS) moves support mission requirements, the frequency can reduce quality
oflife
for Service
members and their families, harm spousal employment, and disrupt functional communities, unit
cohesion, and long-term talent management. As we look across the Department for efficiencies,
the Military Departments must determine which PCS moves are most critical to support
operational requirements and key professional development. Lower-priority PCS moves should
be reduced for Service members and their families seeking greater geographic stability.
In accordance with the guidance below, the Military Departments are tasked with
considering how their respective Military Services would pursue a reduction in their PCS
budgets, to include modification
of
career development pathways. The Military Departments
should provide implementation plans for this reduction, identify potential risks, and recommend
mitigation strategies. These plans should adopt a holistic approach not limited to personnel
policy actions.
PCS Efficiencies
• Develop an actionable plan to reduce PCS "discretionary move" budgets. Examples
include operational travel (continental United States PCS), rotational travel to/from
overseas (outside the continental United States PCS), and training travel by
10
percent in Fiscal Year (FY) 2027, 30 percent in FY 2028, 40 percent in FY 2029,
and 50 percent in FY 2030 (cumulatively, based upon the FY 2026 budget). PCS
budget cuts should be based
on
current expenditures, adjusted for inflation each FY.
Plans should consider the following:
- All potential courses
of
action that would reduce PCS frequency ( e.g., temporary
duty to gain broadening experiences or changing career development and
educational models).
Clearly delineate where any such proposal would impose greater cost to Service
members ( e.g., due to reductions in weight limits, temporary lodging
reimbursements, or dislocation allowances).
